HS - FAMILY ADVOCATE

Community Services Consortium•NEWPORT, OR

21h

About The Position

Provides, coordinates and implements comprehensive social services in partnership with teacher(s) and members of the interdisciplinary team to Head Start children and families, including home visits, parent involvement, follow up and data entry. The duties listed are intended only as illustrative examples of the various types of work that may be performed by individuals in this classification. Any of the following duties may be performed. These examples are not necessarily performed by all incumbents and do not include all specific essential functions and responsibilities the incumbent may be expected to perform. Strong working knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards and other regulations. Create mutually respectful relationships and maintain contact with assigned families through home, center and community visits, phone calls, and written communication. Maintain written documentation of all family and agency contacts, plans, referrals, follow up activities, and outcomes. Use strength-based interviewing techniques, the Family Needs Assessment and other life-skills assessments to assist families in setting goals to develop and implement their individual Family Partnership Agreement. Ensure resource and referral information, parent training and support and needed services are provided to all families on assigned caseload in a timely manner. Facilitate access to social and health services. Initiate and facilitate external agency and family staffings as needed. Work in partnership with collateral agencies to provide case management services. In collaboration with other program personnel, participate in informal staffings and formal comprehensive monitorings in order to develop an analysis of family strengths and challenges. Communicate pertinent child and family information in a reciprocal manner with staff in order to inform, educate, plan and problem solve. When requested, provide participation, coordination, content development and training for CSC Head Start families during Family Nights. Work with Content Specialists to meet pertinent Performance Standards, share information and ensure comprehensive service delivery to families. Must be available for varied working hours to accommodate family schedules. Regular attendance is a requirement of this position. Maintain a professional and courteous manner with co-workers and the general public. Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment concerning confidential information. May be assigned other responsibilities that enhance program goals and objectives.

Requirements

Credential or certification in social work, human services, family services and/or counseling, or an ability to obtain certification within 18 months of hire date.
Experience with Head Start and/or preschool, Health and Human Services preferred.
Ability to interview, assess and provide guidance using basic counseling practices.
Experience with motivational interviewing strategies and goal setting.
Knowledge of child development and family dynamics, especially related to families living in poverty.
Thorough knowledge of local and state resources.
Demonstrated ability to develop good working relationships with community resources, agencies, parents and with staff team members.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, computer skills, excel, outlook, data entry skills.
Must possess and maintain a valid Oregon driver’s license, Food Handler certification, First Aid and CPR certification, health verification, and complete a background check including fingerprinting according to Performance Standard Requirements and the Oregon Child Care Division Criminal History Registry, including fingerprinting.
Must pass a criminal history background investigation; however a conviction of a crime may not necessarily disqualify an individual from this classification.
Ability to manage physically active children ages 3-5, within weight range of up to 50 pounds, including restraining, guiding, pursuing, withstanding sudden movements.
Ability to bend, stoop and lift or move.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Child Plus, TS Gold, Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports is desirable.
Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred.

Responsibilities

Strong working knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards and other regulations.
Create mutually respectful relationships and maintain contact with assigned families through home, center and community visits, phone calls, and written communication.
Maintain written documentation of all family and agency contacts, plans, referrals, follow up activities, and outcomes.
Use strength-based interviewing techniques, the Family Needs Assessment and other life-skills assessments to assist families in setting goals to develop and implement their individual Family Partnership Agreement.
Ensure resource and referral information, parent training and support and needed services are provided to all families on assigned caseload in a timely manner.
Facilitate access to social and health services.
Initiate and facilitate external agency and family staffings as needed.
Work in partnership with collateral agencies to provide case management services.
In collaboration with other program personnel, participate in informal staffings and formal comprehensive monitorings in order to develop an analysis of family strengths and challenges.
Communicate pertinent child and family information in a reciprocal manner with staff in order to inform, educate, plan and problem solve.
When requested, provide participation, coordination, content development and training for CSC Head Start families during Family Nights.
Work with Content Specialists to meet pertinent Performance Standards, share information and ensure comprehensive service delivery to families.
Must be available for varied working hours to accommodate family schedules.
Regular attendance is a requirement of this position.
Maintain a professional and courteous manner with co-workers and the general public.
Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment concerning confidential information.
May be assigned other responsibilities that enhance program goals and objectives.