Family Advocate

Ecs4Kids•Mt. Dora, FL

9d•Onsite

About The Position

ECS4Kids is hiring a Family Advocate to enroll eligible children and families in the Head Start/Early Head Start program, maintain center enrollment, and build professional relationships with families. The role assesses family strengths and needs, develops support plans to promote self-reliance and healthy interdependence, and arranges appropriate referrals and follow-up services. The position works in a child care setting and requires travel to multiple sites in Northeast and Central Florida. The position reports to the Family Services Manager.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Within eighteen months of hire, staff hired after November 7, 2016, must have at least a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field.
Valid driver’s license and proof of automobile coverage.
Satisfactory driving record under the Vehicle Driving Policy.
Current First Aid and Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training.
Knowledge and experience related to child development and early childhood education; child and expectant-women health, safety, and nutrition; adult learning principles; and family dynamics.
Ability to present information effectively and respond to questions from staff and members of the public with varying abilities.
Ability to communicate with and motivate families to achieve goals.
Knowledge of community resources and ability to connect families, particularly those experiencing crisis, with appropriate agencies and services.
Ability to demonstrate problem-solving and counseling skills and empathy toward parents’ needs.
Knowledge of applicable safety and abuse-reporting procedures.
Ability to work independently with little direct supervision.
Intermediate to advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office products.
Ability to maintain confidential information, accurate records and files, and prepare reports.
Ability to plan and organize work, multitask, prioritize, and work in a fast-paced environment.
Acceptable eyesight and hearing, with or without correction; ability to communicate orally and in writing, access file cabinets, and sit at a desk and view a display screen for extended periods.
Must complete a Level II background screening, including local, state, and federal criminal checks.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree in Social Work, Psychology, or another human-services-related field.
Experience working with populations served by the grant, expectant women, and children from birth through age four.

Responsibilities

Obtain referrals of prospective eligible children and families through Childcare Resource & Referral.
Recruit families, interview applicants, complete applications, and enter applications into ChildPlus.
Maintain an accurate prioritized waiting list of eligible children and enroll or re-enroll eligible children according to selection criteria.
Maintain the qualifying roster and child participation forms for the USDA food program, and maintain maximum center enrollment.
Monitor children’s attendance and maintain current health records for enrolled children.
Assist with screenings as needed and coordinate with Head Start support staff to help children receive eligible health, mental health, and special needs services.
Gather and maintain non-federal share records and documentation of parent involvement activities.
Meet with families to assess strengths and needs and develop support plans with goals, tasks, timelines, and follow-up.
Refer families to appropriate service providers and provide timely follow-up on referrals and family support plans.
Maintain accurate documentation of family files and services provided.
Use the Office of Head Start Parent Family Community Engagement Framework and the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework to guide family support and services.
Plan and attend monthly parent meetings, workshops, trainings, and other parent engagement and literacy activities.
Develop and distribute center newsletters, calendars, and flyers.
Attend community inter-agency meetings to share information about Head Start services and encourage collaboration.
Ensure policy council representation at each scheduled meeting.
Participate in the school readiness transition committee.
Advocate for ECS Head Start and enrolled children and families.
Submit accurate reports as requested.
Pursue education and professional development goals.
Perform other related job functions as required.
Transport families to appointments or the central office when necessary.
Maintain a flexible schedule to accommodate families and program activities, including some evenings and weekends.
Complete 24 hours of in-service or professional development training each fiscal year.