Head Start Family Advocate

Kitsap Community Resources • Bremerton, WA

2d • $21 - $21

About The Position

Kitsap Community Resources’ Head Start and Early Head Start programs are looking for passionate team members who want to help children and families thrive. We are not childcare; we are early learning. Our team partners with families to build strong foundations for school readiness, healthy development, and lifelong success. If you’re excited about making a real difference in your community and supporting children during their most important years of growth, we’d love to have you join our team.
KCR offers comprehensive benefits including paid time off for vacation, sick days, and holidays, along with 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage for employees. In addition, we provide a 6.5% employer contribution to 401K after the first year, plus access to employee assistance, wellness initiatives, and professional growth and development training programs.
This position is responsible for outreach, recruitment, enrollment, and case management in the Early Head Start and Head Start programs. The Family Advocate will have a working knowledge of community resources available to low-income families. Works directly with families to set and achieve goals and plan for the future.
Kitsap Community Resources (KCR) is a nonprofit, private, social services agency. We are committed to creating hope and opportunity for all low-income Kitsap County residents by providing resources that promote self-sufficiency and stability.
We exist with a clear vision of creating a community where everyone has an opportunity to thrive.
Kitsap Community Resources core values are a vital part of each position, and employees are expected to uphold them to the fullest.

Requirements

• Required Education: High School Diploma/ GED and credential or certification in social, human, or family services.
• Experience working with low income families and crisis intervention.
• Experience working with people from diverse socio-economic and educational backgrounds.
• Ability to pass State and/or Federal Background Checks as determined by position (prior to hire date).
• Must demonstrate recognition and compassion for low-income peoples.
• Must be aware and sensitive to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the American with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Demonstrated ability to input, aggregate and analyze data including generation of accurate and complete reports.
• Demonstrated successful experience in preparing and processing documentation following relevant process and guidelines ( such as purchase requests, requests for payment, etc.).
• Valid Washington State Driver’s License (to operate company vehicles and/or utilize other vehicles for company business)
• Ability to obtain proof of insurability for operating an automobile (to operate company vehicles and/or utilize other vehicles for company business).
• First Aide/CPR certification (within 30 days of employment)
• Food Worker Permit (within 90 days of employment)
• Initial physical exam (within 90 days of employment)
• Tuberculosis (TB) Testing (upon employment and before contact with children, testing done before hire will not be recognized)
• Current Immunizations per Washington Administrative Code (can be obtained upon hire)
• Be able to physically match the activity level of an infant, toddler, and/or preschool aged child.
• Position requires intermittent sitting, standing, walking, twisting, and bending
• Must be able to get down on the child’s eye level and floor
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds
• Simple grasping and hand manipulation required as well as reaching above and below shoulder level.
• Must be able to withstand exposure to noise in a classroom setting
• Must be able to build secure, nurturing relationships with children and families
• Cognitive ability to recognize and address safety concerns
• Cognitive and emotional ability to work directly with clients in need, which may include homelessness, mental health issues, substance abuse, or other mental or physical barriers.
• Must be able to work outside in a variety of weather conditions
• Cognitive ability to discern accuracy and apply to work as necessary.
• Physical and cognitive ability to operate a motor vehicle.
• Must be able to exhibit regular attendance.
• Conducts business and performs responsibilities with honesty, empathy, and integrity in alignment with KCR Code of Ethics.
• Maintain confidentially of all KCR participants and staff in accordance with KCR and ELFS polies for Personally Identifiable Information and Data protections.
• Demonstration of service delivery that aligns with KCR Mission, Vision, and Core Values.
• Proactively takes appropriate steps to maintain a safe, clean, healthy, and professional working environment, seeks guidance from supervision/management when there are questions.

Nice To Haves

• Bi-lingual a plus.

Responsibilities

• Reports to and accepts assignments from the Child Development Site Supervisor and Child and Family Service Manager.
• Coordinates with Enrollment Coordinator to maintain classroom enrollment.
• Assist with recruitment and community outreach as assigned by your Site Supervisor and/or the Family and Community Engagement Specialist.
• Provide direct support services for families, including information, referrals and follow up.
• Uses available tools such as reflective practices, trauma informed care, or motivational interviewing to mentor and set goals with families.
• Conduct home visits to families as program or need require.
• Identify program, agency, or community resources and referrals required to meet the social services needs of children and their families and work with the family to advocate for services.
• Provide crisis intervention with families and follow up.
• Assist in the recruiting of site Policy Council representatives.
• Maintain current and up to date files and data systems.
• Coordinate, schedule, and attend site parent meetings. Encourage parent participation.
• Create and send monthly parent newsletters highlighting site activities.
• Assist in the classroom as necessary.
• Participate in meetings, conferences, training sessions and workshops as assigned.
• Ensure compliance with KCR Policies and Procedure, Head Start Performance Standards, Federal and State regulations and Washington Administrative Code (WAC) for the Child Care Licensing.
• Promote positive parent engagement and community involvement within the organization.

Benefits

• KCR offers comprehensive benefits including paid time off for vacation, sick days, and holidays, along with 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage for employees.
• In addition, we provide a 6.5% employer contribution to 401K after the first year, plus access to employee assistance, wellness initiatives, and professional growth and development training programs.
• Vacation, Sick, Personal Holiday, and other time off for life events such as Jury Duty, Bereavement, etc.
• 100% Employer paid Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Long-term and Short-term Disability for employee only (dependents can be covered through payroll deduction)
• 6.5% Employer Contribution to 401K after first 12-18 months of employment
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Wellness Program
• Employee Growth & Development Training Programs

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED