Family Advocate

Regina Coeli Child Development Center•Independence, LA

About The Position

The Family Advocate promotes Head Start family wellness and parent engagement and supports implementation of the family engagement process. The role serves as a liaison between classroom and home settings in education, child development, health, and mental health. The Family Advocate supports families in establishing goals, connecting with community resources, addressing crises, and transitioning children into subsequent educational settings. The position also coordinates with parents, teaching staff, community agencies, and program leadership, while maintaining accurate records in the PROMIS database and children's files.

Requirements

High school degree or GED.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Intermediate computer skills, including keyboarding, computer literacy, and familiarity with databases, word processing, internet, and email.
Ability to handle sensitive family situations in a non-threatening and professional manner.
Ability to collaborate with others and working knowledge of local community resources related to Family Services.
Flexible schedule to accommodate family needs, which may include some evenings.
Ability to prioritize and manage workload and deadlines.
Ability to work independently and maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.
Ability to exercise tact and discretion in interactions with staff, children, and families.
Problem-solving ability and capacity to make frequent significant decisions.
Ability to work as a team member with staff, parents, and community resources.
Pass a criminal background check.
Pass a physical examination and complete a tuberculosis test every three years with negative results.
Maintain current First Aid and CPR certification; training is provided.
Valid driver's license and driving record meeting RCCDC insurance carrier requirements.
Ability to kneel, bend, and sit on the floor regularly to attend to children's needs; occasionally bend, stoop, and lift up to 50 pounds.
Frequent driving to provide program support.

Nice To Haves

At least two years of professional-level experience in a family social services setting is preferred, including knowledge and experience with community resources for family referrals.
Knowledge of early childhood education and intervention is preferred.

Responsibilities

Welcome families to the program and share information about transitioning into Head Start or other educational settings.
Assist families in developing Family Partnership Goals by identifying strengths and needs, following up on goals, and offering recommendations, support, or referrals to community resources.
Maintain regular contact with families through phone calls, group activities, home visits, and classroom visits.
Provide crisis intervention for basic needs such as housing and utilities, and document services in the database.
Prepare and distribute requested follow-up information to families in a timely manner.
Assist with transitions of children and families into their next educational setting and promote family literacy.
Work flexible hours to meet family needs and help parents establish and maintain regular child attendance.
Participate in recruitment activities for assigned sites.
Assist the Center Director with planning and facilitating parent orientations.
Coordinate parent meetings and support parents in taking leadership roles.
Encourage parent participation in Parent Committee meetings, field trips, policy council, and classroom activities.
Provide content for parent memos and flyers as needed.
Advocate and collaborate with community agencies to support child, family, and agency outcomes.
Maintain regular contact with children in classroom settings and ongoing contact with teaching staff to share relevant home information and learn about children's classroom performance.
Provide information about Head Start health and nutrition requirements and support families with immunizations, physical and dental care, and nutrition screenings.
Ensure completion of health screenings at assigned sites, including measurements, vision, hearing, and blood pressure screenings.
Complete ongoing applications and enrollment accurately in the PROMIS database.
Document and track follow-up needs, Family Partnership Goals, and health, dental, nutrition, hearing, and vision concerns in PROMIS and children's files or case notes.
Document parent contacts, home visits, and support consultations with teachers in PROMIS.
Report and document suspected child abuse or neglect.
Assist with breaks, bus monitoring, classroom needs, and generating In-Kind as requested.
Attend team meetings and trainings and perform other duties as requested.
Adhere to Head Start Program Performance Standards, Louisiana licensing requirements, the RCCDC written work plan, and agency policies and procedures.
Maintain professional relationships with staff and families that respect culture, diversity, and ethnicity, and participate in annual program self-assessment and continuous quality improvement.