Family and Community Engagement Advocate (3273)

Lutheran Services Florida • West Palm Beach, FL

2d

About The Position

The Family and Community Engagement Advocate supports families as they identify and achieve their goals through a family-centered case management model. The position develops and carries out family partnership agreements and is responsible for child files, applications, enrollment, health requirements, screenings, assessments, and participation in Head Start/Early Head Start quality assurance efforts.

The advocate coordinates with center staff, local agencies, parents, and community organizations to connect families with services and support children’s development and wellness. The role includes recruitment, eligibility determination, enrollment, attendance monitoring, parent engagement activities, referrals and follow-up, transition planning, and maintaining accurate documentation. The advocate also supports parent leadership and participation, provides health, safety, literacy, and wellness education, and helps families navigate transitions between Early Head Start, Head Start, and kindergarten.

The position requires a high school diploma or GED and a credential or certificate in a related field within 18 months of hire. Candidates must have at least three years of experience working with children and families in a social services environment, obtain First Aid and CPR certification within three months of assignment, and successfully complete required background and drug screenings before hiring. Local travel is required, and reliable transportation is necessary.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• 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 the date assigned to the position.
• Successful completion of a Level II background screening and drug screening before hiring.
• Reliable transportation and ability to travel locally for home visits, community events, and trainings.
• Knowledge of social work principles and practices, human behavior, human development, and health.
• Knowledge of local social and health services, 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 varied instructions, define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw conclusions, and develop recommendations and implementation strategies.
• Basic computer skills.
• Sensitivity to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs of the service population.
• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods and move between classrooms, offices, and community locations.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 45 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to operate a computer, telephone, and standard office equipment.
• Adequate vision and hearing, with or without corrective devices, to observe and interact with children and families, enter data, and read documents.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively 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 other languages present in the local area.

Responsibilities

• Support families in identifying and meeting their goals through family-centered case management and family partnership agreements.
• Maintain child files and assist with enrollment applications and related documentation.
• Coordinate family partnership goals with classroom efforts and support integrated child and family curriculum.
• Participate in planning, implementing, and evaluating family and community engagement goals and objectives.
• Work with local agencies to connect families with community services and maintain knowledge of local resources.
• Assist with child health screenings and other required screenings and assessments, and follow referral requirements.
• Document and follow up on referrals and share relevant information with teachers while respecting family confidentiality.
• Provide health, safety, family literacy, wellness, and related educational activities to parents as appropriate.
• Visit major community agencies at least annually to update service-delivery information and community resource guides.
• Attend parent-teacher conferences, staff meetings, parent meetings, and other required activities as requested.
• Prepare written transition plans for children at least six months before their third birthday.
• Recruit, select, and enroll potentially eligible children from birth through age five, pregnant women, and their families in collaboration with the Health and Family Community Engagement Manager.
• Complete family recruitment and enrollment processes, 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 issues.
• Track family partnership efforts and outcomes, maintain referral records, and submit required reports.
• Coordinate monthly parent committee meetings and maintain meeting minutes, agendas, training records, sign-in sheets, and parent committee member 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, developmentally appropriate parent engagement and education responsive to parent needs and requests.
• Promote timely two-way communication among parents, Head Start staff, and relevant community members and organizations.
• Encourage parent volunteerism, parent collaboration, and parent participation in community services and program activities.
• Support parents, including pregnant women, with transitions into Head Start 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 enrolled children and pregnant women.
• Provide physical, dental, mental health, and nutrition education responsive to parent needs.
• Assist and support families with completing disability paperwork for children requiring services.
• Maintain confidentiality concerning Head Start/Early Head Start children, families, and staff.
• Attend in-service training, workshops, conferences, and college courses to enhance skills.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

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