JOB TITLE:PSFSP Familyadvocate

JOB TITLE:PSFSP Familyadvocate

Job Description

Tompkins Community Action

JOB TITLE:PSFSP FamilyAdvocate

STATUS:Non-exempt

DEPARTMENT:Early Childhood

RESPONSIBLE TO:PSFSP Associate

Job Summary:

The Primary School Family Support Program (PSFSP)Family Advocate works with the school district and Head Start staff to identify and provide support to families as their children enters the public school system; works within the policies and procedures of Tompkins Community Action and the Early Childhood Department.

Job Duties:

Program Coordination (85%)

1.Recruits appropriate families among the Head Start families currently enrolled in the school district based on recommendations of the family workers.

2.Assists families in identifying their needs and developing their goals through regular visits and contacts.

3.Facilitates referrals to and connections with community agencies.

4.Provides informal counseling and/or assists families with referrals; provides emergency assistance/crisis intervention.

5.Assists families with self-advocacy efforts.

7.Becomes familiar with the school district’s elementary school staff, especially principals, secretaries, CSE staff, bus drivers, nurses, and primary grade teachers.

8. Becomes familiar with school district policies and procedures and the expectations of the classroom teachers.

10. Supports the parents in understanding the school policies, procedures and expectations and in developing relationships with the school staff who provide services to their child.

11.Meets regularly with the classroom teachers to facilitate communication between the families

and the school about the child’s progress and needs.

12. Maintains child and family records as required.

Community Networking (10%)

1. Works with community agencies to meet the needs of families; acts as an advocate with

existing services to improve services or develop new services for Head Start families.

2. Maintains an awareness of the school calendar and events.

Other (5%)

  1. Consults regularly with and submits all requested information to supervisor
  2. Submits all required reports
  3. Participates in relevant trainings and meetings.
  4. Other duties as requested

Job Description

PSFSP Family Advocate

Page 2

Knowledge/ Skills:

  1. Basic knowledge of child development, and current health and nutrition practices.
  2. Basic knowledge of human development, family dynamics and adult learning theories.
  3. Familiarity with community social service agencies

  1. Good written and oral communication skills.
  2. Excellent interpersonal skills.
  3. Case management and advocacy skills.
  4. Parenting skills.

Ability To:

  1. Understand, comply with, and implement appropriate regulations
  2. Maintain confidentiality
  3. Organize and prioritize workload
  4. Be flexible and respond positively to change
  5. Solve problems and make timely decisions
  6. Work cooperatively with others
  7. Communicate effectively with staff, families and children
  8. Work independently
  9. Lift 50 pounds, bend, stoop, kneel, run for short distances
  10. Maintain in-kind records
  11. To maintain professional boundaries.

Minimum Qualifications:

Associates Degree or its equivalent and two years appropriate human service and early childhood

experience.

Job requirements:

  1. Meet TCAction criteria for satisfactory driver’s license
  2. Access to reliable transportation
  3. Clear NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services and NYS Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment and sign TCAction Declaration Statement
  4. Current satisfactory physical including TB test (Mantoux or chest x-ray)
  5. Three current satisfactory references
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