Family Coach I

AVANCE Houston•Houston, TX

About The Position

The Family Coach will provide families with comprehensive support, and education services through the implementation of a jointly developed individualized service delivery plan. While carrying a caseload, the Family Coach serves as a family advocate, performs recruitment and enrollment responsibilities, monitors attendance, and fulfills family and community engagement activities and other services. The provision of all services will focus on promoting the educational and economic success of the parents, which, in turn, will promote the child’s overall development and school readiness.

Requirements

HS Diploma or GED
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 date.
Diploma and/or Degree must be earned from a state-accredited or federally recognized education program.
Must have a Valid Texas Driver License
Must have Valid Vehicle Insurance
Must have dependable transportation and be insurable by AVANCE’s guidelines

Nice To Haves

Associates Degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Education, or a related field.
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) of eligible children by agency and federal policy, protocols, and regulations.
Ensures that all family documentation is accurate and complete.
Participate in recruitment efforts designed to actively inform families with eligible children in the service area, including children with disabilities and other vulnerable or disproportionately impacted children, of available Head Start services and assist them with the application process.
Ensure the assigned program maintains its funded enrollment level, including filling slots within 30 days of vacancy.
Complete the required enrollment documentation for returning families.
Monitor attendance to include tracking and follow-ups to engage families and support their active participation in the program.
Collaborate with administrative and support staff in developing a prescriptive plan of action for the families to comply with the child’s daily attendance.
Ensure the family adheres to the attendance standards proposed by the agency to promote the family and child’s school readiness.
Provide HS/EHS families with comprehensive case management and family development services in the families' preferred language (or through an interpreter) to engage them in a family partnership process that identifies needs, interests, strengths, goals, and services and resources that support family well-being, including family safety, health, and economic stability.
Assess families’ needs and provide internal and external referrals based on enrollment information, intake interviews, and family assessments.
Ensure that Head Start families receive needed services from center staff and support staff or outside agencies and individuals.
Serve as an advocate or broker to link HS/EHS families to community resources and services.
Comply with obtaining all CAP60 data as required which includes but is not limited to Individual Family Partnership Agreement (IFPA), Strength and Needs Assessment, Family Assessment, Family Partnership Assessments, case notes, PIR, and enrollment information.
Make the required number of contacts based on a tier system with each family and maintain accurate and timely documentation and narrative reports in families’ folders on CAP60.
Follow the transition procedure with each EHS family to ensure a process is initiated 6 months before the child’s third birthday and the required documentation is completed.
Maintain adequate and detailed communication with each family using the transition process as a guide to discuss the required topics for each month’s follow ups.
Keep record and documentation of all contacts with the family.
Comply with maintaining families’, child’s, and eligibility files up to date and accomplish deadlines.
Participate in scheduled Multidisciplinary Team Meetings (MDT) and introduce family cases for review and input from peer group.
Communicate with ERSEA and PFCE Specialist on assigned cases to solicit input and direction regarding levels and types of services needed and/or that are being provided.
Maintain ongoing communication with the Family Wellness Technician, Nutrition Staff, and Support Service Staff as needed to be fully engaged in all aspects of the program.
Collect all required information including release of confidential information and parental permission for therapy services to share with the appropriate Mental Health and Development Staff for the referral to the proper school districts and/or community agencies.
Maintain ongoing communication with other content areas regarding the process and procedure for a child’s transition.
Assist in the distribution of educational material to families as provided by the Mental Health and Development Staff so families better understand mental wellness, developmental concerns, and strengthen nurturing and supportive environments and relationships at home.
Assist in monthly parent meetings and any other program committee meetings.
Cultivate parent leadership through participation in program governance opportunities such as Policy Council, Parent Committees, Advisory Committees, and volunteer activities.
Become thoroughly familiar with Head Start Program Performance Standards and AVANCE Houston’s policies and procedures as they relate to this position and all aspects of the program.
Ability to incorporate the unique cultural, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds of families in the program and community.
Practice sound judgment in the protection of confidential information.
Ensure child records are complete, current, and organized, including documentation of case notes.
Maintain regular and punctual attendance in compliance with AVANCE-Houston policies and/or procedures, local, state, and federal laws.
Utilize personal vehicle for work related activities as needed.
Participate in assigned local, regional, and national training activities as required.
Must be able to travel for business activities.
Performs other duties as assigned.