Family Resource Advocate

Springfield Urban League•Jacksonville, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Family Resource Advocate is responsible for providing quality, comprehensive child/family support services to preschoolers and their families. This role involves providing support, training, and case management to assist parents in meeting their children's needs and enhancing their role as the primary influence on their child’s education and development. The advocate also supports parents in increasing their economic stability, determines program eligibility, enrolls families, enlists parental involvement in child educational programs, works with parents to identify and achieve goals, facilitates access to support services, creates training programs, and fosters positive parent, school, and student relationships.

Requirements

A credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling or a related field.
Ability to communicate and work well with parents, children, staff, and community agency personnel.
Ability to pass a medical examination identifying freedom from communicable disease.
Ability to lift at least 40 pounds.
At least 21 years of age.
Must have a current Illinois Driver’s License, reliable transportation for self and others for use in program activities, and proof of car insurance required by the State of Illinois.
Willingness to learn and uphold Springfield Urban League Head Start Policies and Procedures and have a positive attitude toward direction.
Must meet the State of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Licensing Standards for working at a Head Start Center.
Ability to adequately complete program records and reports, organize time and materials effectively, understand written program materials.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s Degree in social services or related field.

Responsibilities

Establishes a relationship of trust with Head Start children and families.
Works with parents and caregivers, providing information and supportive services as needed, including conducting a Family Assessment and negotiating/implementing an Individualized Family Partnership Agreement, as well as quarterly meetings for ongoing services. Completes required contacts and paperwork for services provided to each assigned family.
Makes appropriate referrals for families and children and follows up to determine if services were received and needs were met.
Interviews interested families during enrollment for completion of application and enrollment process.
Provides completed application to the Site Manager for review and approval.
Obtains income documentation to verify eligibility.
Provides actual income documentation (e.g., W2, 1040, RASP, Child support) to the ERSEA Coordinator.
Obtains hard copies of IEP’s and IFSP’s during enrollment.
Provides hard copies of IEP’s and IFSP’s to the Special Services Coordinator within 24 hours.
Maintains files in a locked file cabinet.
Sends official notification via U.S. Mail to families informing them of selection for enrollment.
Enters reasons and causes of absences into ChildPlus daily.
Provides follow-up on children with attendance issues by making contact with families within the hour of the absence, per Attendance Document Procedures.
Works closely with teaching staff to coordinate home visits, share pertinent information, collaborate on family concerns, and provide united support to families.
Attends staff meetings, training sessions, Family Committee Meetings, and Community Service Provider Meetings as recommended by the Family Resource Development Coordinator.
Provides crisis intervention services to Head Start families within the scope of the agency’s resources.
Distributes information regarding adult education, employment, male involvement, and family involvement to Head Start families.
Distributes health education information to classroom staff and parents and forwards incoming health-related records and information to the site’s Data Clerk.
Offers updates regarding local social service and health service-related resources for families.
Helps identify medical and dental issues and makes referrals to health agencies.
Assists with ongoing health screenings held at each Site or in the community as arranged by the Health Services Staff.
Submits records of children’s illnesses and health needs as identified in the assigned classrooms and assures that proper follow-up action is taken in consultation with the parent and/or a health professional.
Works with Data Clerk to maintain records required in the children’s site files.
Provides assistance and support in health emergencies at the site and provides follow-up, as appropriate.
Consults with staff on child abuse and neglect issues and fulfills mandated reporter duties per State of Illinois laws.
Maintains confidentiality and professionalism at all times.
Complies with policies and procedures for bus monitoring, including securing children in seatbelts, taking attendance, securing authorized signatures when releasing children, and maintaining control and safety of children on the bus.
Performs other duties as assigned, with consideration given to the priority of direct services to families.