Family Advocate I East/Central

Volunteers of America Los Angeles•Los Angeles, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Family Advocate I recruits and enrolls children into the Head Start Program, and assesses each family’s strengths, concerns, and priorities in order to provide services that improve a family’s future prospects in supporting their child through school. Using a case management methodology, the Family Advocate I manages a caseload of families and assists them in all program areas, and engages families in activities that support them and their child’s development in becoming school ready. The Family Advocate I supports the classroom care and supervision of children, as needed. During this period, the Family Advocate can provide auxiliary services, such as food preparation, set up and cleanup, that allow the available teaching staff the ability to provide effective supervision of the children. The Family Advocate is responsible for working as a team with teachers, site supervisors, family service specialists and other support staff to help families make choices and decisions that will respond to each family’s unique culture, roles, values, strengths and beliefs. The Family Advocate complies with agency policies, goals and objectives.

Requirements

Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance, background check, including criminal history, personal references, employment and education verifications
In order to make visits to homes and travel to different school sites, offices, etc., must have access to an automobile with adequate insurance coverage and a valid California driver’s license, or have means to other easily accessible transportation.
Proof at the time of hire TB clearance within 6 months prior
Annual Influenza vaccination (between Nov. 1st - March 31st)
Pertussis (whooping cough) and measles immunization
Health examination at the time of employment
Ability to interact with children in a very busy environment; therefore, must be physically able to perform lifting (50 lbs.), squatting/kneeling, and move quickly.
High School Diploma / G.E.D.
A credential or Associate's Degree in Social Services, Child Development, Counseling or a related field OR 2 or more years of case management experience in the Social Services field
Complete an OHS Family Services Credential within 12 months from hire date.
Direct experience working with families in an at-risk Program, and evidence of interaction with culturally diverse low-income population.

Nice To Haves

1-year casework experience in social work, human services, family services, counseling or a related field.
OHS Family Services Credential
6 months experience in monitoring and tracking computer program data.
6 units of Child Development.
Bilingual English /Spanish (written and verbal).
Have an invested interest in the community for recruitment purposes.
Demonstrate S.M.A.R.T. Goal setting for families.
Knowledge of Data system Child Plus & for monitoring purposes.

Responsibilities

Establish and maintain outreach and recruitment to ensure the assigned Head Start site is fully enrolled with eligible children, and monitor attendance to ensure children are actively involved in the program.
Manage a caseload of families and assist them in getting their needs met, establish ongoing goals that engage them in their child’s learning and future growth.
Initiate, maintain, and follow up with the referral process in conjunction with the family, teachers, family service specialists and service support personnel.
Facilitate and ensure parent involvement in activities and trainings.
Promote parent advocacy.
Establish and maintain direct communication channels with the family, program, program staff, family service specialist, administration and community members.
Accurately prepare and submit required reports and administrative forms on time.
Attend Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings when requested.
Services for this position must be provided on-site. As a result, the position requires incumbents to report to work on-site each day of active employment.