Family Advocate

ECS4KIDS•Mount Dora, FL

9h•$23 - $24

About The Position

The Family Advocate enrolls eligible children and families in the Head Start/Early Head Start program and maintains center enrollment. The role builds professional helping relationships with families, develops family support plans that promote self-reliance and healthy interdependence, assesses family strengths and needs, and arranges appropriate referrals and follow-up services. The position works with families, children, program staff, and community partners to support children's well-being and school readiness.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Ability to safely transport families to appointments, the central office, and other locations when necessary.
Knowledge and experience related to child development and early childhood education, child and expectant women’s health, safety and nutrition, adult learning principles, and family dynamics.
Ability to present information effectively and respond to questions from staff and the public with varying abilities.
Ability to communicate with and motivate families to achieve goals.
Knowledge of community resources and ability to connect families, especially those coping with crises, with appropriate agencies and services.
Ability to maintain a flexible schedule to accommodate families and program activities, including some evenings and weekends.
Problem-solving and counseling skills, and empathy toward parents’ needs.
Knowledge of applicable safety and abuse-reporting procedures.
Ability to work independently with little direct supervision.
Intermediate to advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office products.
Ability to maintain confidential information.
Ability to set up and maintain accurate records and files.
Ability to plan and organize work, maintain records, and prepare reports.
Ability to multitask, prioritize, and work in a fast-paced environment.
Valid driver’s license and proof of automobile coverage.
Satisfactory driving record under the Vehicle Driving Policy.
Complete 24 hours of in-service or professional development training each fiscal year (July–June).
Current First Aid and Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training.
Level II background screening, including local, state, and federal criminal checks.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree in Social Work, Psychology, or another human services-related field.
Experience working with populations served by the grant, expectant women, and children from birth through age four.

Responsibilities

Obtain referrals of prospective eligible children and families through Childcare Resource & Referral.
Recruit children and families, interview applicants, complete applications, and enter applications into ChildPlus.
Maintain an accurate prioritized waiting list of eligible children.
Enroll and re-enroll eligible children with the highest priority under selection criteria.
Maintain the qualifying roster and child participation forms for the USDA food program.
Maintain maximum center enrollment.
Monitor children's attendance for excessive absences or irregular attendance.
Maintain current health records for enrolled children.
Assist with screenings as needed.
Coordinate with Head Start support staff to ensure children receive eligible health, mental health, and special needs services.
Gather and maintain accurate non-federal share records and documentation of parent involvement activities.
Meet with families to assess strengths and needs and develop family support plans with goals, tasks, timelines, and follow-up.
Refer families to appropriate service providers and follow up promptly on referrals and family support plans.
Maintain accurate family files and documentation of services provided.
Use the Office of Head Start Parent Family Community Engagement Framework and the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework to guide support and services.
Plan and attend monthly parent meetings, workshops, trainings, and other parent engagement and literacy activities.
Develop and distribute center newsletters, calendars, and flyers.
Attend community inter-agency meetings to share information about Head Start services and encourage collaboration.
Ensure policy council representation for each scheduled meeting.
Participate in the school readiness transition committee.
Advocate for ECS Head Start and enrolled children and families.
Submit accurate reports as requested.
Continue pursuing education and professional development goals.
Perform other related job functions as required.