Family Advocate

Are you driven by the power of purpose? Do you strive to empower women, eliminate racism and promote peace, justice, and dignity for all? If so, YWCA of Metro St. Louis is the place for you!

YWCA of Metro St. Louis provides our employees with opportunities to make a positive impact in the community while gaining the skills and confidence to have a fulfilling and successful career. 

Purpose:

The purpose of this position is to ensure that the family of each enrolled child is afforded the opportunity to develop and implement an individualized plan of service based on their interest and needs. Operate as a liaison between the center and home setting in all functional areas while promoting family wellness and involvement through a case management process.

Job Duties:

• Ensure, through a case management system, that all families are provided an opportunity to participate in a Family Partnership Plan, complete a Family Assessment and provide timely resources and referrals as a result of identified needs and goals of parents and/or guardians during this process.
• Implement goals, policies, procedures, and activities designed to provide the full range of family support services in compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, including assisting with obtaining health and dental services and other child/family services identified as part of ongoing case management. Implement a formal system of follow-up with families on referrals to community agencies to assure the satisfactory provision of services.
• Establish, maintain and monitor an efficient record-keeping system in line with program policies and procedures, with adequate provisions for confidentiality. Ensure accurate data entry, and up-to-date records of all enrolled families and Child Plus data system by auditing reports monthly, documenting all contact with families, and follow-up on attendance, referrals, and resources offered to parents and/or guardians.
• Serve as an advocate for HS/EHS families within the community and provide ongoing support to families, including those with diverse backgrounds. Develop linkages between other family support service agencies to provide better service delivery. Help families identify and access needed resources, including health, mental health, social services, education, and job training.
• Promote parent involvement at the center level, participate in IEP and IFSP and other required staffing, and implementation of strengthening family's curriculum, 100 Neediest Cases and provide training for parents and the community in all aspects of family support services, as determined by Family assessment.
• Take an active role in Family Partnership Unit Special Projects: Care Team to address families in crisis and Male Involvement to promote a more Father-Friendly environment at the Center Level.

Formal Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Sociology or related field.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Possess knowledge of resources within the community, family values, beliefs, traditions, cultural influences, make-up, and circumstances.
• Understand and use appropriate verbal and non-verbal messages and listening skills.
• Ability to type at least 20 words per minute.
• Able to problem solve and effectively communicate both verbally and written.
• Must be able to multi-task, manage time and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines.
• Able to collaborate and coordinate with people from diverse backgrounds.

YWCA of Metro St. Louis is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.