Family Advocate

You Thrive Florida•DeLand, FL

9d•$19 - $22•Onsite

About The Position

The Family Advocate recruits and enrolls eligible families and identifies the needs of children and families participating in Head Start/Early Head Start. The role provides comprehensive case management to empower families to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency. The position is based at Head Start/Early Head Start facilities in Hernando, Sumter, and/or Volusia counties, with occasional travel to other counties and possible changes to the primary location within the program’s operational regions with reasonable notice. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with occasional weekday evening or weekend community activities. The advocate supports families through enrollment, needs assessment, goal-setting, referrals, follow-up, community-resource connections, and parent engagement. The role maintains accurate family and child records in ChildPlus.net, supports compliance with program requirements and applicable laws, and works closely with families, center staff, health services staff, the ERSEA Supervisor, the Community Outreach Coordinator, and the Parent, Family and Community Engagement Committee. The position requires confidentiality, participation in trainings and meetings, and adherence to You Thrive Florida policies and Head Start/Early Head Start standards. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position paying $19.00–$21.50 per hour. 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 high school diploma and FDC Course; credential or certification in Social Work, Human Services, Family Services, counseling, or a related field.
No experience is required for candidates with an associate degree or higher in Human Services or Social Work.
Obtain First Aid and CPR certification.
Begin at least one of the DCF Child Care training courses listed in Florida Statutes section 402.305(2)(d) within 90 days of employment.
Complete Head Start/Early Head Start required certification training hours within 18 months of hire.
Complete the mandated 55 hours of Florida DCF Child Care Training described in the Family Advocate Career Advancement Criteria.
Obtain ERSEA certification within one year of hire and maintain it annually thereafter.
Hold a valid Florida driver’s license and be insurable by the company’s current carrier.
Meet federal, state, and local legal requirements and pass required background checks and clearances for working with children.
Pass a competency exam with a minimum satisfactory score as defined by YTF administration.
Be able to arrive at work daily and on time, work with limited direction, and organize work accurately.
Communicate effectively orally and in writing and establish effective working relationships, particularly with parents and children.
Analyze and interpret data and human or family needs; operate a personal computer; and work with children.
Have knowledge of early childhood issues, community programs and resources, and methods for maintaining child and parent confidentiality.
Be reliable, responsible, and accountable to job requirements.
Meet the stated physical demands, including frequent light lifting or carrying up to 15 pounds and occasional medium lifting or carrying up to 30 pounds, as well as occasional driving.

Responsibilities

Recruit eligible children, including children with disabilities, and 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, make referrals, and follow up.
Collaborate with health services staff to ensure compliance with child health requirements.
Connect families with community resources to meet basic needs during crises.
Document case management activities in ChildPlus.net and meet program documentation standards.
Assist with scheduling initial home visits for teaching teams when required and conduct subsequent visits as needed.
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; participate in parent events.
Collaborate with the Parent, Family and Community Engagement Committee and Family Services Coordinator to support parent and male engagement and parent activities at the center.
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 positive ongoing communication with families, greet parents during child arrival and departure when possible, and share information about community events.
Participate in community activities and events, occasionally on weekday evenings or weekends, in collaboration with the Community Outreach Coordinator.
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 regulations, laws, program standards, and organizational policies.
Participate in ongoing monitoring, Community Assessment, and Self-Assessment, and perform reasonable related duties.
Perform additional duties as assigned by a supervisor, management staff, or program director.