Family Coach I

AVANCE Houston•Pasadena, TX

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Family Coach provides families with comprehensive support and education services through an individualized service delivery plan developed jointly with each family. While managing a caseload, the Family Coach advocates for families, recruits and enrolls eligible children, monitors attendance, and carries out family and community engagement activities. Services promote parents’ educational and economic success to support children’s development and school readiness. The role includes determining and documenting eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance; maintaining complete and current family and child records; and providing case management, family development, referrals, and connections to community resources. The Family Coach works with families in their preferred language or through an interpreter, assesses family strengths and needs, develops and reviews service plans, supports family goals, and follows required transition procedures for Early Head Start children approaching age three. The position also involves collaboration with program staff, specialists, community agencies, and multidisciplinary teams; supporting parent meetings and leadership opportunities; completing required training and reports; and maintaining confidentiality and compliance with Head Start standards and agency procedures. The work is typically performed in an office setting with moderate to loud noise, and includes local and out-of-town travel, including occasional air travel. Evening, weekend, and holiday work may be required.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED; diploma or degree must be from a state-accredited or federally recognized education program.
One year of related work experience working directly with families in a social service setting, or willingness to obtain Family Service Credentials within 18 months of hire.
Valid Texas driver license, valid vehicle insurance, dependable transportation, and ability to be insured under AVANCE guidelines.
Ability to lift and/or carry up to 20 pounds.
Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, and organizational skills; intermediate math skills; and intermediate to advanced computer skills, including Windows, internet search engines, Microsoft Office, agency software, and related programs.
Ability to sustain concentration and handle multiple tasks, engage successfully with children and parents, and respond appropriately to stressful or sensitive situations.
Ability to work independently, maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries, and exercise tact and discretion.
Ability to incorporate families’ cultural, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds and respond to family crises in a timely, culturally sensitive manner.
Knowledge of intervention strategies, the target community and community resources, and interview strategies.
Ability to complete agency-provided Mental Health First Aid certification.
Knowledge of prenatal assessments for pregnant women and working knowledge of the Texas Family Code.
Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed and travel locally, out of town, and overnight.
Post-offer drug screen, moving violation report, criminal background check, TB testing, FBI background check, and sex offender registry check.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree in social work, sociology, psychology, education, or a related field.
Bilingual English and Spanish skills, oral and written.
One year of related work experience working directly with families in a social service setting.

Responsibilities

Determine, verify, and document eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance (ERSEA) according to agency and federal policies, protocols, and regulations.
Recruit eligible families, including families with children with disabilities and other vulnerable or disproportionately impacted children, and assist them with the application process.
Maintain funded enrollment, fill vacancies within 30 days, complete returning-family enrollment documentation, and keep inquiry and waitlists current.
Monitor children’s attendance, follow up with families, and collaborate with staff on action plans that support attendance and school readiness.
Provide comprehensive case management and family development services in families’ preferred languages or through an interpreter.
Assess family needs and strengths and provide referrals to internal services, outside agencies, and community resources.
Develop, monitor, evaluate, and modify family service delivery plans; help families set goals and track progress.
Maintain accurate, timely, and complete family and child documentation, including required CAP60 data, assessments, case notes, reports, and contact records.
Follow transition procedures for Early Head Start families, beginning the process six months before a child’s third birthday, and maintain communication and documentation throughout the transition.
Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and consult with ERSEA and PFCE specialists about assigned cases and services.
Coordinate with wellness, nutrition, support-service, mental-health, development, and other program staff as needed.
Collect required releases and parental permissions for therapy referrals and share information with appropriate staff and agencies.
Distribute educational materials to families and assist with monthly parent meetings and program committee meetings.
Encourage parent leadership through Policy Council, Parent Committees, Advisory Committees, and volunteer activities.
Apply Head Start Program Performance Standards and AVANCE-Houston policies and procedures; protect confidential information and maintain professional boundaries.
Attend required local, regional, and national training and travel for work-related activities; use a personal vehicle for work activities as needed.
Maintain regular and punctual attendance and perform other duties as assigned.