Family Advocate

Job Description

Job Description

General Summary

Provide case management for designated families to include the planning, documentation and follow-up services in the area of health, nutrition, disability, transition, mental health, and the parent, family and community engagement content areas.

Primary Responsibilities

• Establish mutually respectful partnerships with families to enhance the quality of their lives and their communities : conduct outreach, recruitment and enrollment; provide information and services of the Head Start Birth to Five Program and communicate effectively.
• Offer opportunities and learning materials for children and parents that reflect the families cultures, encourages family members to visit, observe and volunteer in the program and identify parent strengths and needs by collaborating with the Parent, Family & Community Engagement Specialist by utilizing the ChildPlus Family Assessment.
• Connect families with opportunities that support safety, financial literacy, health and family wellness.
• In partnership with families, develops and supports plans that describe families strength, resources and needed services, develop the Family Partnership Agreement and follows up on the progress toward meeting their goals and facilitate the transition process for parents and children
• Assist families in crisis : provide referral; perform case management, track and document services for all assigned families utilizing the ChildPlus event notes.
• Respects and responds appropriately to the culture, language, values and family structures of each family served.
• Contribute to effective program practices by utilizing the ChildPlus event notes for documentation purposes, performing record keeping tasks in a timely manner, inputting data entry into the ChildPlus software and applies knowledge in health, mental health, disabilities, family engagement and nutrition.
• Works closely with the classroom teacher in the assigned cluster and assists the Cluster Manager in conducting, documenting home visits and provides transportation for parents attending meetings, as needed and utilize the ChildPlus event notes for documentation purposes.
• Maintain regular contact with children in the classroom setting.
• Maintain on-going contact with teaching staff in order to share relevant home information and gain information regarding child performance in the classroom.
• Provide information relative to Head Start health and nutrition requirements, support families and follows-ups on immunizations, physical, dental and nutrition screenings.
• Assure completion of health screenings for assigned sites to include measurements, vision, hearing and blood pressure screenings.
• Makes appropriate referrals for families and children and follows up on referrals to determine if services were received and needs were met
• Assist classroom staff in maintaining accurate written records, including assessments, IEP / IFSP documentation, screening instruments, anecdotal observations, and other required forms.
• Assist in general maintenance and security of facility.
• Attend meetings, trainings, and appropriate professional development activities.

Work Experience

Education / Certifications / Licensure

Skills

Physical Requirements

If a preliminary offer of employment is extended, a physical will be required before the offer can be accepted.