Family Advocate - Othello

Inspire Development Centers•Othello, WA

34d•$45,594 - $60,798•Onsite

About The Position

The Family Advocate ensures families meet eligibility criteria for social and health-related program services. Within an assigned caseload, the advocate interviews clients individually, as families, or in small groups to identify child and family needs, support and mobilize family strengths, and connect families with community resources to improve social, health, and mental health functioning under Head Start and/or ECEAP Performance Standards. The role participates in developing Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and Individual Family Service Plans (IFSPs). The position supports recruitment, eligibility verification, selection, and enrollment of children across funding sources, including children with disabilities. It maintains waiting lists and accurate family and child records, reviews attendance, and works with parents on attendance plans. The advocate assesses family strengths and needs, establishes progress goals, documents services and concerns, conducts home visits, and builds community partnerships to connect families with resources and services. The role promotes parent participation in meetings and training, prepares and presents training for parents and staff, and participates in center-level meetings. It coordinates mental health and disability processes, screenings, referrals, observations, consultations, and related services. Health duties include completing enrollment health packets, conducting basic non-invasive screenings, reviewing immunizations, following up on well-child and dental exams, making referrals, dispensing authorized medication, and treating minor injuries and illness. The advocate also supports in-kind contributions and maintains confidentiality. Work is performed at a Child Development Center and includes frequent local travel to assess family needs and support recruitment. The role requires physical presence, adaptability, patience when working with children, prompt response to emergencies or instructions, and effective collaboration and communication with staff, children, and families. The work environment is intended to provide a safe and healthy learning environment, with noise generally quiet to moderate and temperatures generally controlled.

Requirements

Associate’s degree or higher with the equivalent of 30 quarter credits in adult education, human development, human services, family support, social work, early childhood education, child development, psychology, or another directly related field; alternatively, a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field such as a Family Development Credential.
Alternatively, a high school diploma or GED with a requirement to obtain an Initial/CDA/AA in ECE or a related field; candidates who do not meet the minimum education requirement must meet it within 18 months of hire.
English/Spanish bilingual fluency in speaking, reading, and writing.
At least two years of work-related experience.
Knowledge and understanding of child development theories and practices.
Experience working in a federally funded and regulated environment, with policy and procedure processes, facilitating groups, family concerns, and risk management.
Understanding of the interrelationships between services and systems.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Ability to learn new tasks quickly, manage multiple tasks and deadlines, gather and analyze data for reports, and work with culturally diverse populations.
Strong customer service focus; proficiency with a personal computer, including Microsoft Office; and accurate data management, documentation, and recordkeeping skills.
Must be at least 18 years of age and hold a valid Washington State driver’s license; provide a yearly driving abstract and maintain an acceptable driving history.
Ability to travel to perform job duties and responsibilities.
Must pass initial and periodic background checks and employee health clearance; health clearance must be provided within 45 days of employment.
Must provide an MMR immunization record or proof of immunity; be subject to drug and/or alcohol testing under IDC policy; and sign a confidentiality agreement.
Must have a current Food Handler card and current First Aid/CPR cards, or obtain the required training within 30 days of employment.
Must complete HIV/AIDS and Blood Borne Pathogen training within 30 days of employment and complete all required position-related training.
For ECEAP work, must meet one of the stated qualifications: employment in the same position at the same agency before July 1, 1999, or an associate’s or higher degree with 30 quarter credits in a directly related field. Candidates not meeting ECEAP qualifications must be on a Professional Development Plan to meet them within five years.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and/or a related field.
Previous Head Start or ECEAP experience and working knowledge of Performance Standards.
Knowledge of federal, state, and private social service programs available to the agricultural worker population.

Responsibilities

Establish and maintain recruitment processes to enroll eligible children under applicable funding-source criteria, including children with disabilities and severe disabilities.
Verify child and family eligibility; maintain an up-to-date waiting list; select and enroll children according to established criteria; and enter family and child data into database systems.
Review daily attendance, enter attendance results into database systems, contact parents, and assist with attendance plans when needed.
Assess participating families’ strengths and needs, develop progress goals, document progress and services in child and parent files, and conduct home visits as specified in service plans.
Develop and maintain local community partnerships and connect families with resources and services, including employment, education, welfare, health, legal services, housing, and training.
Maintain communication between the center and the community.
Contact parents through varied media to encourage participation in PCC and parent meetings; follow up on requested parent training; and provide transportation to Parent Committee representatives for Policy Council meetings as needed.
Prepare and present relevant training for parents and staff; participate in center-level staffing, core team, staff, and transition meetings; and organize local skill-building training based on community interests.
Ensure mental health and disability processes are followed, including making referrals, helping families access services, reviewing ASQ screening scores and age-appropriate screening tools, scheduling observations, consultations, training and orientation with contractors, participating in IEP and IFSP development, and coordinating severe-disability staffing as needed.
Complete enrollment health packets and basic non-invasive health screenings; review immunizations; follow up on well-child and dental exams; make health, dental, and nutrition referrals; schedule related staffing; dispense authorized medications; and treat minor injuries and illness.
Attend staff meetings, workshops, trainings, and seminars to support professional development.
Contribute to in-kind funds by requesting goods, services, or cash donations and encouraging professional, community, and parent volunteer participation.
Maintain confidentiality of program and client information.
Travel locally and statewide as needed to perform job duties; occasional out-of-state travel may be required.