Family Advocate

YWCA Metropolitan Chicago•Addison, IL

4h•Hybrid

About The Position

Works with families and child care partners to develop trusting relationships while assisting Head Start families with services needed to become self-sufficient. Collaborates with the Early Childhood Services Team, Child Care Partners, and Families.

Requirements

Fluency in written and spoken English and Spanish preferred.
Ability to pass a health examination and a criminal background check.
A demonstrated ability to work independently, while prioritizing and managing multiple assignments simultaneously as needed.
Must be able to travel.
Ability to work nights and weekends as needed.
Well-developed problem-solving, communication skills and work closely as a member of a team.
Ability to adapt to change.
Ability to work collaboratively with individuals from various education, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds.
Thrives in an environment in which collaboration, partnership, and empowerment are the key cultural elements.
A minimum of fifteen (15) hours of professional training related to Early Childhood and/or to the responsibilities of the position is required annually.
Alignment on the key deliverables.
Coachability and openness to developmental feedback.
Establish and meet deadlines.
Prioritization of tasks.
Optimization of efficiency.
Strong interpersonal relationships with families to contribute to the healthy development of children.
Strong understanding of programs and overall mission of the YWCA.
Strong understanding of Child Care Assistance program, Economic Empowerment programs as well as other social service programs available to parents in the Chicagoland area.

Nice To Haves

BS degree in social work preferred.

Responsibilities

Recruits, enrolls families/children.
Develops and implements individualized Family Partnership agreements with families.
Ensures eligibility, recruitment, selection, attendance, family and community engagement criteria are met.
Coordinates with the Economic Empowerment program to provide training for Families.
Conducts home visits with families in collaboration with the Head Start Teacher.
Engages with community stakeholders to develop partnerships that support the needs of families.
Provides ongoing engagement with families to set individual goals and offer resources.
Meets requirements of the Head Start Performance Standards.
Coordinates with child care partners to develop and implement parent committee meetings at the child care partner site.
Works closely with ERSEA Specialist to ensure continued eligibility and proper submission of documents for families.
Works closely with Health Consultant to ensure proper documentation and compliance of required health documents – Ensures children’s health requirements are met, on-going monitoring, and follow up is documented.