Family Advocate II

E CENTER•Yuba City, CA

9d•$22 - $27•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction and general supervision of the Center Director, the Family Advocate uses research-based Office of Head Start (OHS) family engagement practices to support families, connect them with appropriate health and social service agencies, and help maintain support services for children with special needs. The position works to meet Head Start Performance Standards and applicable agency, program, federal, and state requirements. It also maintains professional working relationships and protects the confidentiality of information about children, families, and staff. This is a non-exempt, full-time or part-time position assigned 100% to field sites. The Family Advocate II/III reports to the Center Director and has no supervisory responsibilities. The posted hourly salary range is $22.17–$26.83. The role supports family services, health and nutrition requirements, attendance, enrollment, and referrals. It may include interpreting or advocating for parents, providing transportation for assigned meetings and medical appointments, and working some evenings and weekends for parent activities and recruitment events. The position requires occasional travel within and outside the Head Start service area.

Requirements

For Level II: Associate degree in Social Work, Human Services, or Health.
For Level II: Two years of experience working for a child development, social services, or health-related agency.
Under state regulations, complete a physical examination, current tuberculosis test, and verified fingerprint and criminal records clearance before beginning work.
Education must have included coursework in child abuse, substance abuse, and domestic violence, or the employee must successfully complete that coursework within one year of hire.
Obtain Pediatric First Aid/CPR certification within the first 60 days of work and maintain current certification.
Possess a valid driver's license and current personal vehicle insurance, or a safe driving record sufficient to ensure insurability under agency policy; must be able to drive for agency business.
Ability to learn and incorporate OHS relationship-based competency skills into daily work.
Ability to read and comprehend safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals; write routine reports and correspondence; and speak effectively before groups of parents or employees.
Ability to respond effectively to sensitive inquiries or complaints and communicate professionally with coworkers, parents, children, and community members.
Basic arithmetic skills, including working with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, rates, ratios, and percentages.
Ability to use computer applications and software, including spreadsheets and word processing, as well as workplace electronic technology, internet access, and email.
Ability to follow written, oral, or diagrammed instructions and address problems involving several variables in standardized or non-standardized situations.
Knowledge of and sensitivity to diversity and the needs of families from different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Knowledge of sound medical, dental, and nutritional practices for young children and awareness of community resources and services.
Effective organizational and time-management skills, problem-solving ability, and a proactive approach.
Ability to travel occasionally within and outside the Head Start service area.
Ability to work some evenings and weekends for parent trainings, parent center committee meetings, and recruitment events.
Ability to learn and comply with Head Start Performance Standards and federal, state, and local laws concerning child care center operations.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual and biliterate ability in English and Spanish, English and Punjabi, English and Hmong, and/or another language based on program needs.
College coursework in child development.

Responsibilities

Follow Head Start Performance Standards for health, nutrition, mental health, special needs, family services, and ERSEA requirements, including follow-up.
Interpret and/or advocate for Head Start parents as needed, including at parent committee meetings, trainings, conferences, medical and dental appointments, and IEP/IFSP meetings.
Ensure health and nutrition requirements and follow-up are completed within agency timelines, which may include hearing, vision, and blood pressure screening follow-up.
Thoroughly and legibly document family contacts and relevant information in child files.
Educate families about community resources, connect them with appropriate resources, and complete referrals as needed.
Collaborate with parents and teachers to identify family strengths.
Monitor and follow up on daily attendance, including working with parents to address attendance problems and making attendance phone calls.
Maintain current information about community resources.
Provide emergency assistance or crisis intervention.
Participate in family support groups, such as male involvement and single-parent groups, as needed.
Attend and participate in agency trainings, workshops, in-service sessions, and staff meetings.
Participate in setting and achieving professional career development goals and in the reflective supervision process.
Provide transportation to parents for meetings and medical appointments as assigned.
Actively support full enrollment in the assigned classroom or center and support family interest in applying to the program and participating in recruitment events.
File family service, education, and health-related materials.
Support the Agency Safety Program.
Perform other duties as assigned.