Family Service Advocate
About The Position
Do you enjoy working with local families? Come join CommUnify’s team as a Family Service Advocate! The Family Service Advocate is responsible for recruitment of children, parent orientations, Home Visits, and referral of parents to community resources and local social services agencies. Creates and keeps all sections of child/family files and referral records up to date and partners with families in a strength-based approach. Monitors the changes in each family’s needs, and their qualifications for services. Works closely with Site Supervisors, Program Support Specialists, and Enrollment staff to ensure required paperwork is complete and that timelines are met. Max caseload of 40 enrolled families. Our agency provides employees with a positive work environment and the ability to balance work & home along with excellent benefits. Our benefit package includes: medical, dental, vision, life insurance including sick, vacation, and personal leave with 11 paid holiday's and a fully vested retirement plan with an up to 5% match. This position is full-time with full benefits and starts out between $18.84 - $20.18 per hour working in the Lompoc area at the Maple Head Start Center.
Requirements
- Equivalent to graduation from high school; and one year of experience as a volunteer or paid employee providing direct services to low-income children and families of diverse cultural backgrounds OR Twelve units of college-level coursework in Social Work, Human Services, Family Services, Counseling, or a related field and experience in client casework and/or client eligibility work in a social service setting.
- Equivalent to graduation from high school; and three years experience in client casework and/or client eligibility work in a social services setting or related field OR Twenty-four units of college-level coursework in Social Work, Human Services, Family Services, Counseling, or a related field and experience in client casework and/or client eligibility work in a social service setting.
- Knowledge of Spreadsheet software and Word Processing software.
- Current valid California Driver's license and appropriate insurance per Agency requirements. Must have reliable transportation with an acceptable driving record as determined by the agency.
- Ability to speak, read & write fluent Spanish required.
Nice To Haves
- Family Services Worker Level I certificate desirable.
- A Family Services Worker Level II certificate is desirable.
Responsibilities
- Recruits and assists with enrollment of eligible children into the Head Start program; orients parents to the goals and objectives of Head Start.
- Supports enrolled families; helps to identify needs, strengths, and concerns; links families with appropriate referral systems and services.
- Provides information and orientates families to the health program and its requirements; assists families in locating sources of health and dental care and encourages their involvement in the health care system; participates, as needed with special health screenings and assists in the maintenance of accurate health records.
- Translates as necessary or when needed.
- Facilitates the development of family partnership agreements, and partners with assigned families to support each family’s success towards reaching their goals.
- Makes home visits to conduct family interviews, identify strengths and needs, and refer families to the appropriate Head Start staff and/or outside agencies if needed.
- Transports parents and/or children to meetings, health, and other service appointments, when necessary.
- Works with the Site Supervisor to coordinate center activities and plan parent meetings. Provides participants with support and encouragement, and assists, as needed, with site projects.
- Maintains accurate and complete documentation, in both ChildPlus and the Family File.
- Completes reports and follow-up to meet all deadlines with the Site Supervisor.
- Keeps up-to-date information on community agencies, resources, workshops, and classes; encourages parent participation in program and community events.
- Be a ready resource for co-workers/ classroom staff.
- Makes presentations at parent meetings on pertinent subjects including community resources.
- Develops notices/flyers, monthly calendars, and other written material for distribution to families.
- Will work as a positive team member with other staff to provide quality, strength-based services to families at the Center.
Benefits
- medical
- dental
- vision
- life insurance including sick, vacation, and personal leave with 11 paid holiday's
- fully vested retirement plan with an up to 5% match
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
