Family and Community Engagement Advocate

Lutheran Services Florida • Largo, FL

8d

About The Position

The Family and Community Engagement Advocate supports families in identifying and achieving their goals through a family-centered case management model. The role develops and implements family partnership agreements and is responsible for child files, enrollment and applications, health requirements, screenings, assessments, and participation in Head Start/Early Head Start quality assurance efforts. The Advocate coordinates family services with classroom staff, links families to community resources, documents referrals and follow-up, and maintains confidentiality.

The position also supports eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance for children from birth through age five, pregnant women, and their families. It recruits and enrolls eligible families, maintains funded enrollment by filling vacancies within 30 days, verifies eligibility, and monitors attendance with a target average daily attendance above 85%. The Advocate coordinates parent committees and engagement activities, facilitates communication and parent participation, and supports transitions between early childhood programs and kindergarten.

The Advocate promotes child and family wellness, assists with health screenings and referrals, supports families in establishing medical and dental homes, provides health, nutrition, safety, and family literacy education, and assists families with disability-related paperwork. The role requires local travel for home visits, community events, and trainings. Duties may vary by assigned area and may include other related responsibilities.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED; must obtain a credential or certificate within 18 months of hire in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field to remain employed in the position.
• At least three years of experience working with children and families in a social services environment.
• First Aid and CPR certification within three months of assignment to the position.
• Successful completion of a Level II background screening and drug screening before hiring.
• Knowledge of social work principles and practices, human behavior, human development, and health.
• Knowledge of social and health services available in the area, computer data entry processes, and family-centered practices.
• Ability to communicate ideas and instructions orally and in writing, write reports and business correspondence, and speak before groups.
• Ability to perform basic calculations, interpret extensive instructions, define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, make recommendations, and develop implementation strategies.
• Basic computer skills.
• Sensitivity to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs of the service population.
• Reliable transportation and ability to travel locally for home visits, community events, and trainings.
• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods; lift and carry up to 45 pounds occasionally; operate standard office equipment; and communicate clearly in person, by phone, and in writing.

Nice To Haves

• Head Start/Early Head Start experience.
• Bilingual ability in English and Spanish or English and another language present in the local area.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with center staff to integrate family partnership goals with classroom efforts and ensure an integrated child and family curriculum.
• Participate in planning, implementing, and evaluating family and community engagement goals and objectives.
• Attend in-service activities, workshops, conferences, college courses, and required staff and parent meetings and activities.
• Work with local agencies to connect families with community services and maintain knowledge of local resources, including annual visits to major service agencies.
• Assist with child health screenings and other required screenings and assessments, understand referral requirements, and document and follow up on referrals.
• Share relevant information with teachers while respecting family confidentiality to coordinate services for children and families.
• Provide health, safety, and family literacy activities to parents as appropriate.
• Attend parent/teacher conferences and multi-team development and staff meetings as requested.
• Prepare a written transition plan for each child six months before the child's third birthday.
• Maintain strict confidentiality concerning Head Start/Early Head Start children, families, and staff.
• Implement, document, and report on recruitment, selection, and enrollment of potentially eligible children from birth through age five, pregnant women, and their families in collaboration with the Health and Family Community Engagement Manager.
• Recruit prospective families, complete enrollment, verify eligibility, maintain funded enrollment, and fill vacancies within 30 days.
• Monitor attendance, maintain average daily attendance above 85%, and follow up with families experiencing participation or attendance problems.
• Document family assistance and partnership efforts, track outcomes, monitor and follow up on referrals, and submit required reports.
• Coordinate monthly parent committee meetings at assigned center sites and maintain meeting records and eligibility paperwork.
• Ensure the elected Policy Council representative or alternate for assigned center sites attends the program's monthly Policy Council meeting.
• Coordinate monthly parent engagement activities through the A Man Everybody Needs (AMEN) and Ladies of Victory and Empowerment (LOVE) support groups.
• Implement individualized, developmental parent engagement and education responsive to parent needs, concerns, and requests.
• Ensure timely two-way communication among parents, Head Start staff, and appropriate community individuals and organizations.
• Encourage parent volunteerism and provide opportunities for parents to collaborate with one another and community members on activities of interest.
• Encourage parents to help make community services responsive to their goals and needs; promote family participation and assist with resolving participation problems.
• Assist parents, including pregnant women, with transitions into Head Start and from Early Head Start or other settings, and from Head Start to kindergarten.
• Promote child and family wellness and the establishment of medical and dental homes for children and pregnant women served.
• Provide physical, dental, mental health, and nutrition education responsive to parent needs, including needs expressed in parent committee meetings.
• Support families in completing disability paperwork for children requiring services.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 24/7 telehealth access to doctors.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Employer-paid life insurance equal to one times salary.
• 13 paid holidays and one floating holiday; Head Start employee schedules may differ.
• Paid time off starting at 16 working days per year; Head Start employee schedules may differ.
• 403(b) retirement plan with a 3% discretionary employer match or 3% student loan repayment reimbursement.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Growth opportunities within the organization.

What This Job Offers

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