Family Advocate

You Thrive Florida•Deland, FL

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Family Advocate recruits and enrolls eligible families in the Head Start/Early Head Start program and identifies the needs of participating families and children. The position provides comprehensive case management to help families establish and achieve goals and maintain self-sufficiency. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with occasional weekday evening or weekend community activities. The primary work location is a Head Start/Early Head Start facility in Hernando, Sumter, and/or Volusia County, with occasional travel to other counties and possible location changes within the program’s operational regions with reasonable notice. The role works with families, children, center staff, health services staff, community partners, and program leadership. It maintains family and child records, provides referrals and follow-up, supports family engagement, and ensures compliance with program requirements, including Head Start/Early Head Start standards and the Rilya Wilson Act. The employee must maintain confidentiality and participate in training, meetings, drills, monitoring, and assessment activities. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position. Benefits listed include vacation, sick leave, PTO, employer-paid health benefits, vision and dental plans, a 403(b) retirement plan, company-paid holidays, pet insurance, employer-paid basic life insurance, long-term disability insurance, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance. The employer is qualified for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Requirements

Minimum of a high school diploma and FDC Course; credential or certification in Social Work, Human Services, Family Services, counseling, or a related field.
Obtain First Aid and CPR certification.
Within 90 days of employment, begin at least one of the DCF Child Care training courses listed in Florida Statutes, Section 402.305(2)(d).
Complete required Head Start/Early Head Start certification training hours within 18 months of hire.
Complete the mandated 55 hours of Florida DCF Child Care Training outlined in the Family Advocate Career Advancement Criteria.
Obtain ERSEA certification within one year of hire and maintain it annually thereafter.
No experience is required for candidates with an associate degree or higher in Human Services or Social Work.
Valid Florida driver’s license and eligibility for coverage by the company’s current insurance carrier.
Meet applicable federal, state, and local legal requirements and background screening or clearance requirements for working with children.
Ability to arrive at work daily and on time, work with limited direction, and organize work effectively.
Ability to complete work accurately and communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to establish effective working relationships, particularly with parents and children, and to work with children.
Ability to analyze and interpret data and human or family needs.
Ability to use and operate a personal computer and maintain child and parent confidentiality.
Knowledge of organizational methods, early childhood issues, and community programs and resources.
Reliability, responsibility, and accountability in meeting job requirements.
Ability to pass a competency exam with a satisfactory score as defined by You Thrive Florida administration.

Responsibilities

Recruit eligible children, including children with disabilities, to meet Head Start/Early Head Start enrollment requirements.
Complete applications, parent interviews, and enrollment processes.
Schedule, facilitate, and document Project Spotlight, and ensure required follow-up is completed.
Provide case management by helping families identify needs and goals, develop family partnership agreements, obtain referrals, and receive follow-up.
Collaborate with health services staff to support compliance with child health requirements.
Connect families with community resources to address basic needs, including during crises.
Document case management activities in ChildPlus.net and meet program documentation standards.
Assist with scheduling initial home visits for the teaching team and provide subsequent visits when required.
Prepare, maintain, and update child and family files and records according to policies and procedures.
Support families in coordinating, preparing for, and participating in Parent, Family, and Community Engagement experiences and parent events.
Collaborate with the Parent, Family and Community Engagement Committee and Family Services Coordinator to support parent and male engagement and center activities.
Work with center staff to promote and document family participation and provide participation feedback to parents and staff.
Document and follow up on excessive absenteeism and attendance concerns, and ensure compliance with the Rilya Wilson Act.
Submit reports, documents, and files as directed and meet monthly with the ERSEA Supervisor to discuss report outcomes.
Maintain ongoing, positive communication with families, greet parents during child arrival and departure when possible, and share information about community events.
Participate in community activities and events with the Community Outreach Coordinator, occasionally on weekday evenings or weekends.
Advocate for and serve as a role model to Head Start/Early Head Start families.
Attend and participate in training programs, staff meetings, and other meetings and trainings.
Maintain confidentiality of client, staff, and agency information and effective working relationships with coworkers and outside contacts.
Organize and prioritize assignments, participate in safety, storm, and fire drills, and follow applicable laws, regulations, standards, and You Thrive Florida policies and procedures.
Participate in ongoing monitoring, Community Assessment, and Self-Assessment activities and perform related duties.
Perform additional duties as assigned by a supervisor, management staff, or program director.