Family Advocate
: Job Details :

DescriptionHaving trouble completing your application? For support, please call (206) ###-#### or by e-mail to ...@nhwa.org.Closing Date: Until FilledAgency OverviewAt Neighborhood House (NH), our vision is a healthy, diverse, and welcoming community, free of poverty and racism, where all people thrive. We serve over 16,000 individuals in Seattle/South King County in the areas of early learning, youth development, citizenship, employment, health, housing, resource navigation, and aging adults. In addition to direct services, we use our experience and deep connection to our communities to advocate for equitable access to services, and policy changes that advance equity for all.When one of us succeeds, we all succeed!Neighborhood House is on a mission to becoming a multi-cultural, anti-racist agency. We are achieving this by sharing power, listening to and learning from each other and our communities, and working to repair past inequities. We are building a culture where equity is the foundation, inclusiveness is the default, and access for marginalized communities is the norm.Our Agency Values include Community, Equity, Integrity, Relationships, and Sustainability. More information about our Agency Values can be found here.Click here for more details about our benefits program.Job SummaryChild Development Department staff support the Neighborhood House mission framework and Strategic Plan by contributing to the school readiness of low-income children and supporting their parents, care givers and community. The primary responsibility of the Family Advocate is to support both classroom services and family engagement by building children's social competency and supporting parent engagement.ResponsibilitiesProgram Planning, Design and Implementation

• Document service delivery to families through regular and accurate data entry in the department's electronic case management system (ChildPlus).
• Complete all required program reports accurately and in a timely manner.
• Implement a process of on-going monitoring to assure initial health exams, ongoing health needs, and family engagement supports are being conducted in accordance with the program's policies, procedures and timeliness.
• Advise Family and Health Services Manager of changing demographics, community needs, and resources to ensure the program can continuously evolve to meet the needs of the community.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Promote and Support School Readiness and Family Engagement

• Serve as the link between home and school for families while promoting the family outcomes established by the Head Start Parent, Family and Community Engagement Framework.
• Foster a respectful and supportive relationship with assigned families in order to support the family with moving towards self-sufficiency.
• Maintain regular communication with families (in person, via phone, and electronically) and document communication in the department's electronic case management system (ChildPlus).
• Assist families with the coordination health, education, and social service resources.
• Work with families to ensure that children are receiving the ongoing health care needed to be successful in school, including physical health, oral health, mental health and nutrition services.
• Assist families in identifying medical and dental homes and arranging regular, ongoing preventative health care appointments as needed. When treatment is needed, support families in arranging for follow up care.
• Administer health and development screenings to children in accordance with department policies and procedures; communicate results to families and assists them in determining next steps for their child.
• Involve parents in the classroom in meaningful ways which demonstrate the belief that parents are the principal influence on their child's education and development.
• Share knowledge about the program's curriculum, activities, philosophy, and teaching strategies with families.
• In partnership with teaching staff, help families develop their own strategies for supporting children's learning at home.
• Provide breaks and substitute coverage for classroom teaching staff as needed using this time to observe children and practice educational support strategies in line with program curriculum and philosophy.
• Invite all parents to participate in a family goal setting process. Track family progress towards and completion of goals.
• Support the successful transition of children and families from previous child care programs into Early Head Start, from Early Head Start into Preschool or other child care settings and from Preschool to Kindergarten.
• Participate in meetings with department staff for the purpose of case managing services to families.

QualificationsMinimum Qualifications

• Credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, health services, counseling or related field.
• One year experience working with children birth-5 and their families.
• Bilingual ability in English and Spanish or Somali.
• Ability to work with limited supervision and considerable self-direction.
• Ability to communicate effectively and relate sensitively to adults and children from diverse ethnic and socio-economic groups.
• Proficiency in oral and written English language.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work as part of a team, communicate effectively both orally and in writing, receive and provide feedback, and manage dynamic interchanges in meetings
• Possess working knowledge of various computer software such as Work and Excel.
• Willingness to comply with the established agency performance standards which may include: productivity/personal responsibility, client/customer service-orientation, embracing a team player orientation, entrepreneurialism, and maintaining a professional demeanor.
• Willingness to comply with Head Start/ECEAP Standards of Conduct by promoting the unique identity of each child and family; conforming with program confidentiality; following child supervision and guidance policies; and refraining from soliciting or accepting personal gratuities, favors, or anything of significant monetary value from contractors or potential contractors.
• Must have reliable transportation and be able to travel independently to Child Development service sites.
• Establish a professional development plan and participate in ongoing professional development.
• The usual methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, frequent stooping, kneeling, and/or crouching and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 10% sitting, 45% walking, and 45% standing.

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in human services, social work, social services, or a related field.
• Familiarity with early childhood education practices and principles.
• Current or former Head Start and Early Head Start parents receive preference for employment vacancies for which they are qualified.

Required Credentials

• Must pass Neighborhood House background check requirements.
• Position requires Washington State bi-annual criminal background re-check.
• Current Health Exam, Tuberculosis Screening, and record of Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccination or immunity (must be obtained prior to employment).
• Department of Early Learning portable background check

Post-Hire on-the-job Training Requirements

• Child Abuse and Neglect training (within 2 weeks of hire).
• Current First Aid Certificate within 30 days of hire.
• Current CPR Certificate within 30 days of hire.
• Sexual Harassment Training within 30 days of hire.
• Current Blood Borne Pathogens training within 30 days of employment (maintain current training status during employment).
• Current Food Handlers certificate within 30 days of employment (maintain current certificate during employment).

Employment PracticeNeighborhood House is committed to diversity and to equal opportunity employment. As an equal opportunity employer, we support and follow federal, state and local laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Neighborhood House does not exclude, deny benefits to, or otherwise discriminate on the basis of race, age, sex, color, creed, religion, caste, disability, national origin, marital status, mental or physical ability including HIV status, height, weight, veteran status, military obligations, sexual orientation and expression of gender identity, or any other classification protected by law. Management and HR staff are committed to ensuring that all personnel decisions that affect employees, clients, volunteers, and board members are made in accordance with the equal employment opportunity principles of nondiscrimination.For more informationInquiries may be directed to People and Culture at (206) ###-#### or by e-mail to ...@nhwa.org.