Family Advocate

The Family Advocate/Case Worker role focuses on building strength-based relationships with families to help them achieve their unique goals. This position supports families and their children through warm, positive and respectful engagement, meeting the individual needs of each family, and building a collaborative partnership between the program, family and community leading to positive child and family outcomes.

Responsibilities (include but not limited to):

Family Engagement and Case Management:

• Build and maintain positive, trusting partnerships with enrolled and potential families in their preferred language, through inclusive and respectful practices;
• Support families in developing, tracking and assessing progress towards goals for their child, self/selves, and family unit through regular family conferences and ongoing intermittent communication as required by EEC;
• Support families in meeting the individual needs of their child/ren including providing information on developmental assessments, screenings and/or referrals for Early Intervention Services, when appropriate;
• Identify learning needs and opportunities for families and collaborate with community partners to connect families with resources, including academic counselors and school staff, employment services, government assistance programs, etc. when appropriate, and through transitions, when appropriate;
• Maintain ongoing communication with DCF to ensure child safety and well-being, when applicable;
• Develop and lead parent curriculum, coordinate guest speakers, and facilitate family meetings;
• Partner with families to plan and evaluate program offerings and utilize feedback for continuous improvement;
• Complete home visits for priority population families, when applicable, to support enrollment and reauthorization and address on-going family and/or child needs;

Operation and Enrollment Support

• Collaborate with the center director and program designee to ensure smooth operations, including support in the director’s absence;
• Manage child enrollment and support recruitment efforts in collaboration with the business office, including slot management and recruitment for priority populations, when applicable;
• Ensure compliance with EEC requirements and maintain tracking systems;
• Manage transportation schedules for children in coordination with the business office;
• Collaborate with center staff on family events and support program educators in developing and maintaining positive relationships with families;
• Collaborate with center director and business office staff to meet grant guidelines and requirements, as appropriate;

Community Collaboration:

• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with local service providers (e.g., CFCE, CCRRs), government agencies, nonprofit partners and community services for additional family support;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Must be at least 21 years of age;
• Experience working with teen and young adults parents preferred;
• Experience working with children;
• Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care Teacher Certification and/or Director I or II certified preferred;
• BA/BS in Early Childhood Education or in related field is preferred;
• Knowledge of Department of Early Education and Care regulations and operations preferred;
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to manage time effectively;
• Ability to prioritize and take initiative;
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus; ability to communicate effectively both orally and written;
• Ability to demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Ability to demonstrate flexibility, patience, and a sense of humor;
• Strong information technology skills and demonstrated expertise in a variety of word processing, desktop publishing, graphics, spreadsheet, and database software. These may include but are not limited to: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) Google Drive, Google Suite programs, Adobe and others;
• An eagerness to learn new skills and take on new projects.

Requirements:

• Alignment with TCG mission and values
• Must complete a Background Records Check and Fingerprint Scan in accordance with regulations set forth by the Department of Early Education and Care prior to employment.
• Evidence of physical examination within one year prior to employment.
• Evidence of immunizations against Measles, Mumps and Rubella; and
• Maintain current infant/child CPR and First Aid Certification.

The Community Group participates in the E-Verify program to determine the immigration and work-eligibility status of prospective employees. Please refer to the Notice of E-Verify Participation and the Right to Work documents for more information.

The Community Group is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, retaining, developing and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to their race, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state or local law. We are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, and where employees are treated with respect and dignity.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $55,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Language:

• Spanish (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Lawrence, MA 01840 (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Lawrence, MA 01840: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $55,000 - $65,000