Family Advocate (Temporary)

Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties•Saint Paul, MN

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the direction and supervision of the Family Services Manager or Family Engagement Coordinator, provide support and advocacy service to Head Start families. Family Advocates utilize case management skills, crisis intervention and positive communication skills to build partnerships with families. Family Advocates support families as their children transition through early childhood education into kindergarten and beyond. Family Advocates work in collaboration with all program areas, families, and community partners to promote positive child and family outcomes, including disabilities and mental health. This is a temporary position anticipated to end on December 18, 2026. Continued employment beyond this date is not guaranteed and is subject to program needs and funding availability.

Requirements

AA Degree in Human Services or Behavioral Sciences or related degree and 2 years of experience working with children and/or families in diverse communities, or an equivalent combination of education and experience to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.
Ability to relate to and communicate effectively with a variety of multi-ethnic and socio-economic groups and/or individuals.
Must have knowledge of community resources.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.
Must be proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook).
Must be able to navigate and enter data in a complex database.
Strong organizational skills needed.
Must be able to work weekend and evening hours, as needed.
Must obtain CPR/First Aid Certification within 90 days of hire; must maintain certifications.
A valid driver’s license and reliable transportation on a daily basis is required.
Normal office physical exertion.
Must be physically able to participate with children in the Head Start classroom and on field trips.
Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
Ability to drive, climb stairs and perform home visits out in the community.
Ability to tolerate possible strong odors, temperature variations, possibility of seeing rodents/bugs, etc. during home visits.
This position requires the ability to handle and prioritize multiple complex tasks and deadlines and function effectively, independently and as a team member.
Must be able to relate to and communicate with people of varying multi-ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
Knowledge of Head Start is preferred.
Understanding of and experience with child care subsidies and/or scholarships is preferred.
Credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling or related preferred.
Fluency in English and one or more of the following languages is preferred: Spanish, Karen, Somali, or Hmong.
The ability to communicate effectively (verbally and in writing) in English and any of these languages is highly desirable to support the needs of the families enrolled in this program.

Responsibilities

Build and maintain strong relationships with program staff, including other CAPRW departments, community partners and Head Start/Early Head Start participants and their children.
Monitor Head Start services to ensure adherence to performance standards reporting any discrepancies to the Head Start Director.
Complete a Parent Orientation with families before actual enrollment to review program options, services available to families, Parent Handbook, etc.
Implement a strength based Family Partnership that holistically identifies family strengths and goals.
Develop and maintain relationships with families that promote ongoing progress toward family goal attainment.
Provide home visits to support and track family progress toward family goal attainment.
Assist families in the completion of Child Care Assistance and/or Pathway Scholarship paperwork and monitor to ensure eligibility is maintained, when applicable.
Provide families with accurate and complete information about community resources, and assist and advocate for them in accessing services to best meet identified needs.
After referrals are made, provide follow up to ensure that family needs are met and to maintain required documentation of referrals and outcomes.
Assist families in transitioning into and out of the Early Head Start/Head Start Program.
Performs data entry functions to keep files up to date and maintain data for the annual Program Information Report (PIR).
Track and calculate attendance per center and child.
Follow-up with families about absences and attendance concerns documenting all reasons for absenteeism.
Work with families with child attendance under 85% to develop goals related to school readiness and the understanding of the importance of attendance for their child.
Assist in the collection of required medical information and help families to remove barriers in obtaining health care.
In conjunction with the health staff, support families in developing a dental and medical home and access to appropriate health insurance.
Provide resource referral services to families requesting crisis services and who indicate a need for intensive family service coordination.
Complete necessary documentation of contacts and case management provided on behalf of families.
In collaboration with center staff, facilitate the election of parents for Parent Center Committees and Policy Committee Representatives.
In conjunction with the Center Education Coordinator & Assistance Center Education Coordinator, develop and facilitate parent groups, and family fun events.
Coordinate the offering of research-based Parent Education opportunities.
Initiate and maintain working relationships with other service providers (in areas such as housing, MFIP, chemical dependency, mental health, parenting, employment, etc.)
Serve as an advocate on behalf of low-income families in the community to outside groups, committees, agencies and policy makers as needed.
Assist in the recruitment of children
Participate in ad hoc assignments ad agency/program committees and/or outside agency committees
Participate in program and agency-wide training and special events.
Other duties as assigned.
Responsible for conducting all duties in a safe manner.