Family Advocate

You Thrive Florida•Pierson, FL

1d•$19 - $22•Onsite

About The Position

The Family Advocate recruits and enrolls eligible families and children in Head Start/Early Head Start, including children with disabilities. The role identifies family and child needs and provides comprehensive case management to help families establish and maintain self-sufficiency. The position is based at a Head Start/Early Head Start facility in Hernando, Sumter, and/or Volusia County, with occasional travel to other counties. The primary location may change within the program’s operational regions with reasonable notice. The Family Advocate maintains ongoing, positive communication with families; connects them with community resources; supports family participation and engagement; and collaborates with center staff, health services staff, the Parent, Family and Community Engagement Committee, the Family Services Coordinator, and the Community Outreach Coordinator. The role maintains family records and case-management documentation in ChildPlus.net, follows program standards and applicable laws, and participates in training, meetings, monitoring, assessments, and safety drills. The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Occasional weekday evening or weekend community events may be required. The position requires a high school diploma and specified training and certifications. No experience is required for candidates with a Human Services or Social Work associate degree or higher.

Requirements

Minimum of a high school diploma and FDC course; credential or certification in Social Work, Human Services, Family Services, counseling, or a related field.
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 required Head Start/Early Head Start certification training hours within 18 months of hire.
Complete the mandated 55 hours of Florida DCF Child Care Training outlined in the Family Advocate Career Advancement Criteria.
Obtain ERSEA certification within one year of hire and maintain it annually thereafter.
No experience required for applicants with a Human Services or Social Work associate degree or higher.
Valid Florida driver’s license and insurability by the company’s current carrier.
Meet applicable federal, state, and local legal requirements and background screening/clearance requirements for working with children.
Ability to arrive at work daily and on time, work with limited direction, and organize work.
Ability to complete work accurately and communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to establish effective working relationships, particularly with parents and children, and to work with children.
Ability to analyze and interpret data and human/family needs.
Ability to use and operate a personal computer.
Knowledge of organization methods, early childhood issues, and community programs and resources.
Ability to maintain child and parent confidentiality and to be reliable, responsible, and accountable.
Ability to pass a competency exam with a satisfactory score as defined by YTF administration.
Physical ability to sit and stand for long periods; use fingers, arms, hands, and legs; and speak. Correctable eyesight and hearing are essential.
Physical ability to squat, walk, handle, grasp, stretch/reach, bend at the waist, and lift or carry up to 15 pounds frequently; and push, pull, kneel, balance, turn, feel, drive, and occasionally lift or carry up to 30 pounds.

Responsibilities

Recruit eligible children for Head Start/Early Head Start to meet enrollment requirements, including children with disabilities.
Complete applications, parent interviews, and the enrollment process.
Schedule, facilitate, and document Project Spotlight and complete required follow-up.
Provide case management by helping families identify needs and goals, develop family partnership agreements, receive referrals, and obtain 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 the teaching team when required and provide subsequent visits as needed.
Prepare, maintain, and update child and family files and records in accordance with policies and procedures.
Support families in coordinating, preparing for, and participating in Parent, Family and Community Engagement experiences and parent events.
Collaborate with the Parent, Family and Community Engagement Committee and Family Services Coordinator to support parent and male engagement and center activities.
Work with center staff to promote and document family participation and provide 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 open and positive communication with families, greet parents at 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.
Maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and outside contacts; organize and prioritize assignments as directed.
Participate in regular safety, storm, and fire drills.
Follow applicable federal, state, and local regulations and laws, Head Start/Early Head Start Performance Standards, agency policies, and procedures.
Participate in ongoing monitoring, Community Assessment, and Self-Assessment, and perform related functions.
Perform additional duties as assigned by a supervisor, management staff, program director, or You Thrive Florida management staff.