Family Advocate

Job Description

Job Description

About Company :

Cen-Tex Family Services, Inc. (Cen-Tex) is a private, non-profit agency founded in 1993. Cen-Tex receives grant funds to provide Early Head Start / Head Start programs in Bastrop, Lee, Fayette, and Colorado counties. These programs are administered by the Office of Head Start, Department of Health and Human Services and carried out through the Hearts of Texas Head Start Program.

About the Role :

The Family Advocate plays a critical role in supporting and empowering families within the educational community by serving as a liaison between families, schools, and community resources. This position focuses on fostering strong relationships with families to ensure they have access to the necessary services and support systems that promote student success and well-being. The Family Advocate will work collaboratively with educators, administrators, and external agencies to address barriers to learning and engagement, advocating for the needs and rights of students and their families. By providing guidance, resources, and emotional support, the Family Advocate helps to create a welcoming and inclusive environment that encourages family involvement in the educational process. Ultimately, this role aims to enhance student outcomes by strengthening family-school partnerships and facilitating access to comprehensive support networks.

Preferred Requirements :

Education :

Baccalaureate or Associate degree with studies in (some or all) these areas : family and consumer science; early childhood education; or development; communications; business math; statistics. Family Service Worker Certification.

Experience : 5 years experience listed below and; family services related case management; statistical reporting and evaluation; knowledge of HS standards; and TDFPS Minimum Standards for Daycare Centers.

Minimum requirements :

Education : High School diploma or GED

Experience : 2 years working : with the principles of child health, safety and nutrition; family dynamics; human services; or social services; and in child development and early childhood education.

Awareness of : needs of low-income children and families; cultural issues and local community resources. Intermediate abilities in use of personal computers, MS Word, MS Excel, Internet accessibility and email usage.

Ability to work independently as well as with a team.

Responsibilities :

• Develop and maintain trusting relationships with families to understand their needs and challenges related to their children's education and well-being.
• Connect families with community resources, social services, and educational programs to address issues such as housing, healthcare, nutrition, and counseling.
• Collaborate with school staff and administrators to identify students and families requiring additional support and develop individualized plans to address those needs.
• Facilitate communication between families and school personnel to ensure clear understanding of educational goals, policies, and available services.
• Organize and conduct workshops, support groups, and informational sessions to educate families on topics such as parenting skills, academic expectations, and community resources.
• Advocate on behalf of families to remove barriers to student attendance, engagement, and academic achievement.
• Maintain accurate records of family interactions, referrals, and outcomes to monitor progress and report on program effectiveness.

Skills :

The Family Advocate utilizes strong communication skills daily to build rapport with families and collaborate effectively with school staff and community partners. Problem-solving and critical thinking skills are essential for identifying barriers families face and developing practical solutions to support student success. Organizational skills are used to manage multiple cases, maintain detailed records, and coordinate resources efficiently. Cultural competency and empathy enable the advocate to work respectfully with families from diverse backgrounds, ensuring inclusive and equitable support. Additionally, advocacy and negotiation skills are applied to navigate systems and secure necessary services for families, fostering a supportive educational environment.