Family Advocate/ERSEA

UMATILLA-MORROW COUNTY HEAD START INC•Hermiston, OR

15d•$23 - $25•Onsite

About The Position

The Family Advocate/ERSEA assists the Family Services Manager in coordinating family and community strengthening and comprehensive health services for families enrolled in full-day Head Start/Early Head Start options. The position implements recruitment and enrollment processes, maintains enrollment levels, and supports families in identifying goals, accessing resources, and resolving social-service needs. The role works with families, agency staff, and community partners to provide case management, referrals, parent education, health-service coordination, and opportunities for parent involvement and leadership. It also supports health screenings and follow-up, parent-staff conferences, community development, and accurate program records. The position serves Hermiston and Stanfield locations and requires travel to homes and community settings.

Requirements

One year of experience in social work.
Current CPR and First Aid cards.
Fluent English verbal and written communication skills.
Demonstrated skill and proficiency in outreach and retention.
Experience and willingness to serve culturally diverse communities and families, with a commitment to working effectively with parents, children, and staff from diverse backgrounds.
Ability to relate tactfully, confidently, sensitively, and non-judgmentally to parents, staff, and community partners.
Ability to drive a private or agency vehicle; a valid driver's license and personal automobile, or a plan that permits fulfillment of position requirements. A DMV record check will be conducted before hire.
Current enrollment in the Child Care Division’s Central Background Registry.
Current physical examination, drug screen, and TB screen documentation before hire.
Desire to work with low-income children and their families.
Ability to communicate effectively with staff, families, children, and the public by telephone and in individual and group face-to-face settings.
Ability to meet the stated physical demands, including lifting and moving objects up to 50 pounds, extended sitting and computer data entry, and frequent driving, walking, and stair climbing.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Social Services, Social Work, Sociology, or a related field preferred; alternatively, candidates without a bachelor’s degree may obtain a qualifying credential or certification within 18 months of hire.
Bilingual Spanish skills preferred.
Head Start experience preferred.
Community service experience preferred.
Multicultural experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Recruit, select, and enroll children and families; maintain enrollment levels in accordance with Head Start policies and performance standards.
Assist with recruitment planning, conduct recruitment home visits, complete family assessments, identify children with documented disabilities or special needs, and contribute to agency selection criteria.
Refer high-risk families to needed services and support; participate in family unity meetings with community partners.
Orient parents to agency policies and program design, maintain the waiting list for the assigned service area, and help ensure full enrollment at the assigned center.
Submit reports promptly and maintain child care subsidy paperwork and tracking, including collection and receipt of co-payments.
Maintain a social-services referral system and partner with families through home visits to develop goal plans, provide case management and education, connect families with resources, and follow up on referrals.
Build working relationships with community resources and partners through on-site visits; inform staff and parents about social services and community resources.
Support the agency-wide Parent Involvement Program by encouraging parent participation, promoting family-strengthening activities, supervising volunteers, supporting parent-center training, and assisting with father and male-involvement activities.
Identify and recruit parents for leadership training and community activities; support Wellness Day, the volunteer/career ladder program, and efforts to address barriers to participation.
Assist the Health & Mental Health Manager with health services, including helping families establish health and dental care relationships and completing hearing and vision screenings when trained and assigned.
Ensure medical, dental, nutrition, immunization, and related follow-up records and referrals are completed; update ChildPlus health tracking and route immunization record changes to the ERSEA Data Specialist.
Participate in health staffing and share relevant information.
Work with Full Day Teachers to prepare for two Comprehensive Parent Staff Conferences per child each year and complete applicable forms.
Coordinate parent education and support programs, using survey results to plan offerings and promoting agency and community opportunities.
Assist the Family Services Manager with community development and leadership activities, including leadership training, neighborhood coalitions, community advocacy, and at least two neighborhood walks with Head Start families.
Participate in assigned meetings, conferences, training sessions, and workshops; maintain accurate records, confidentiality, professional standards, and respectful working relationships.
Fulfill mandated reporter responsibilities and other duties deemed necessary by the supervisor.