Function:
The Family Advocate is the outreach person for Catholic Charities Head Start Program, to families of the preschools of the community. She/he coordinates Parent Empowerment Programs and responsible for the Head State Parental Involvement Program. She/he is responsible for compliance regulations in regard to Head Start Program. Primary responsibility for planning, organizing, and implementing the Family and Community Partnership service area. Recruits and enrolls children. Develops and implements Individualized Family Partnership agreements with parents. Acts as community liaison for the agency.
Knowledge:
This position requires strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills, as well as the ability to manage projects and be attentive to details. It requires the ability to function independently as a leader, delegate and partner with a core management team. The position requires a commitment to excellence in customer service and the ability to work in close collaboration with the Family Advocates. It requires dedication to ensuing the fulfillment of the mission and vision of the agency.
Family Advocates who enroll Head Start/Early Head Start children must have the knowledge and skill necessary to develop consistent, stable, and supportive relationships with young children and their families, and sufficient knowledge to implement the Head Start Performance Standards and other applicable regulations.
Minimum Qualifications:
- A Bachelor degree in Social Work or a related field of study;
- Must have 3 years of experience in working with children and families;
- Fluent in written and spoken English.
Must also possess an understanding of the Head Start philosophy. Familiarity with child development or early childhood education. Knowledge of community resources and the social services system. Experience organizing, implementing, and managing multiple responsibilities under pressure. Experience in the use of computer data base and/or word. Ability to manage time efficiently.
Essential Functions:
Organizes, facilitates and conducts meetings and training sessions for staff and parents on social service issues and completing all documentation before and after eventsAssists parents in developing individualized short-and long-term goals and in accomplishing them. Assists in organizing and facilitating all Parent Committee and Policy Committee meetings according to federal HS guidelines, and provides training to parent representatives. Attends pre-service training; participates in CCANO pre-service training and maintains ongoing efforts for professional development. Maintains organized records of activities related to the Family Partnership Area, including but not limited to, family files.Coordinates efforts to encourage community members and parents as volunteers. Attends all center staffing, staff and management meetings. Ensures the delivery of social services, emergency and non-emergency services, directly or through referrals. Assists in the development and updating of the Community Resources Directory. Delivers one lesson per classroom per month to the students of the center on a topic approved by the Center Supervisor. Responds to children's three-day absences and follows up according to procedure. Participate in or facilitate case management Submits accurate, timely reports as requested by center director or administration. Ensures absolute confidentiality with respect to information records concerning families and children. Performs ongoing recruitment, and documents accurately. Assists in the transition of students to Kindergarten or other child care facilities. Performs other duties, as requested. Develop and coordinate education parenting programs for preschool families. Provides a special focus for the needs of husbands and fathers. Establish and maintains relationships with early childhood education providers and community organizations to coordinate educational services. Counsel families on issues and problems related to parenting. Provides quarterly quality-monitoring services to all Catholic Charities Head Start programs to assure they meet all Federal and State mandates. Participates in parent meetings, workshops and seminars to remain current on issues that affect families. The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by a person in this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties that may be performed in such a position.
Additional Requirements:
- Ability to pass a physical exam and TB test yearly.
- Must be able to comply with background check, including fingerprints, as required by the agency and/or Louisiana Licensing Agency.
- Visual acuity within professionally determined normal ranges, with correction if needed.
- Must be free of communicable diseases and breathing impairments.
- Manual dexterity sufficient to: manipulate cleaning supplies and equipment. Must have effective organizational, problem solving, and time management skills.
- Ability to learn and comprehend information from Procedures Manuals and other materials.
- Must be able to physically move through the center and classrooms. Ability to lift 55 pounds is required.
- Successful experience working as an effective member of a team desirable. Experience successfully working with a culturally diverse staff & clients also desirable.
Reports to:
- The Family Advocate, work with all preschools and she/he reports to the Head Start Center Director, Family Services Coordinator, the Administrator to the Head Start Program and the Director of Education Services.