Family Advocate ECP

Astor Services • Wappingers Falls, NY

13d • Onsite

About The Position

Astor Services is hiring Family Advocates today! Enjoy working Monday through Friday from 8-3:30pm. Head Start is a federally funded preschool program delivering services to 3 and 4-year old children and their families in core areas of early learning, health, and family well-being. The Family Advocate maintains a close and supportive relationship with assigned families and assists them in coping effectively with their environment. The Family Advocate encourages the parent’s participation in their child’s educational program and helps each family identify community resources and acts as a liaison between them. Come join our team!

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Must be able to operate agency motor vehicles and possess a valid New York State operator’s license with a driving history acceptable to the agency.
• Must be able to climb and descend stairs without assistance in settings not in compliance with or under the mandates of the Americans with Disability Act.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with the population served is preferred.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Cooperates with the center director, teacher, family service coordinator, and other staff in assessing each family’s strengths and needs, developing an appropriate action plan, and reviewing family progress.
• Actively recruits new children through hanging posters, door knocking, and community kiosks.
• Completes applications for new children and completes in-take packet for assigned children.
• Cooperates with the center nurse to assure that mandated health services are rendered, up-to-date health records are kept, and that assistance is obtained for any special health or nutrition need.
• The family advocate’s purpose is to provide a comprehensive, suitable and ongoing service to the child and her/his family.
• Continues to work with family throughout the year to update and identify needs.
• Maintains consistent communication with teaching staff.
• Develops a supportive, professional relationship with each family assigned through regularly scheduled home visits, phone calls, notes and personal contact at the center. Home visits must include 2 home visits in addition to the intake home visit.
• Follows up on child’s absences, documents reasons for absence and keeps center director informed.
• Works cooperatively with center director to organize and implement center-based activities for parents.
• Makes parents aware of opportunities for participation in the program and facilitates and encourages such participation.
• Provides information on prenatal needs and on the needs of new babies when parents inform advocate that they are pregnant.
• Is aware of and refers families to appropriate educational and community resources and, when necessary, advocates with the resources on the family’s behalf.

Benefits

• 4 weeks paid vacation annually
• 13 paid holidays
• 4 personal days
• 1 sick day per month, accruable to 150 days
• Fully paid individual LTD and life insurance
• Eligible for participation in agency medical and dental plan both individual and family, with small employee contribution.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED