Performance Standard: 1301.31(a)(1)
TITLE: Family Services Advocate
FLSA: Non-Exempt Hourly Position
TRAVEL: 20%
REPORTS TO: Family Services Manager
POLICY COUNCIL APPROVED: 9/9/2010 Updates Approved: 8/9/2012, 7/25/2013, 6/30/2014
BOARD APPROVED: 9/16/2010 Updates Approved: 8/17/2012, 7/25/2013, 7/24/2014
POSITION SUMMARY
The Family Services Advocate is responsible for maintaining full enrollment within their assigned centers. The Family Services Advocate provides CDS families with resources and social service agencies in the community. This position requires professionalism and confidentiality at all times.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES - Other duties may be assigned.
Statement of Tasks
· Supports parents in their roles as their child’s first and most important teacher.
· Must be familiar with and adhere to appendix A of the Head Start Performance Standards regarding parent involvement and program governance. Distributes Head Start handbooks at orientation or registration and explains its contents.
· Responsible for the recruitment and enrollment of children. Ensures that all openings are filled within 30 calendar days.
· Coordinates the enrollment of wrap children and payment of childcare with the Head Start Program Administrator (childcare centers only).
· Plans parent trainings/meetings and promotes parent participation in the classroom and/or Policy Council, Health Advisory and Education Advisory meetings.
· Assists parents in finding transportation and child care for parent meetings.
· Attends in-service trainings, conferences, and other training as requested.
· Participates in and arranges for parent participation in the annual agency self-assessment.
· Coordinates services to meet the needs of children and families utilizing CDS and community resources. Also acts as a liaison between CDS, parents and community agencies.
· Ensures children have a physical within 30 days of enrollment, hearing and vision screening within 45 days of enrollment, and a dental exam within 90 days of enrollment.
· Completes follow-up on health concerns and/or diagnoses received and ensures that other center staff are aware of children’s concerns and/or diagnoses.
· Develops and maintains Family Partnership Agreements throughout the year.
· Makes two or more home visits to each family and participates in two center conferences with the teacher.
· Maintains accurate up to date records of all services provided and uses applicable computer software as required.
· Responsible for follow up on children with multiple absences.
· Attends Family Services Advocate, Center, and Case management meetings as scheduled.
· As applicable: Answers all incoming telephone calls and directs them to the appropriate staff person. Greets parents, visitors, etc. and directs them appropriately according to their needs. Processes center mail on a daily basis.
· Monitors CB for incoming bus calls as applicable. Communicates all transportation changes to appropriate staff members or parents. Assists with arranging pick-up and drop-off of Head Start children, including making calls to parents or those listed on the child’s emergency card as needed.
· Assists with various program components, inputting/reporting as necessary (i.e. entering family information, social service information, and children’s attendance into Child Plus.)
· Notifies Program Assistant by e-mail as soon as possible regarding status changes of children (i.e. dropped, transitioned, etc.)
· Assists Head Start Program Administrator and teachers with various projects/clerical duties as requested.
· Uses various office equipment in performing assigned work including computer, calculator, copier, laminator, etc. and utilizes various software programs such as MS Word and Excel, Outlook, and the Internet.
· Participates in the annual agency self-assessment process.
· Assists with special programs and open houses as needed. May be required to attend.
· Communicates regularly and works cooperatively with all staff utilizing any available Spanish/English bilingual skills to interpret, translate and converse with children and families as assigned and appropriate to the position.
· Works to ensure Family Engagement Goals are met.
EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS
Education: BS/BA degree in Social Work, Human Services or related field. Prefer Family Services Credential.
Experience: Prefer two years experience working with low income families.
Prefer experience working in Head Start.
Other Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Must be familiar with resources and services in Ottawa County.
Willing to work evening and weekend hours when the needs of the program make it necessary.
Must have excellent organizational and planning skills and able to work independently.
Ability to commit to the fundamental concepts of Head Start.
Prefer Spanish/English bilingual skills.
Must have a history of good attendance with previous employer.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
· Finger dexterity to prepare food and activities and to complete paperwork and utilize keyboard/mouse
· Lifting up to 50 pounds as necessary
· Able to make eye to eye contact with children
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
· Primarily standard office environment
· Some classroom environments
· Home visit environments