Family Services Advocate - Baltimore County Head Start

YMCA Central Maryland•Baltimore, MD

About The Position

The Family Services Advocate supports the broader system of social services coordinated by Head Start and implements the program’s family partnership, parent engagement, and community partnership functions. The role applies a family-centered approach to encourage families to participate in and support their children’s education, while coordinating with related service areas and communicating with internal and external stakeholders. The Advocate builds partnerships with families, connects them to services and community resources, supports parent involvement and education, and coordinates with teaching staff and community partners. The role also assists with screenings, transitions, crisis intervention, recordkeeping, reporting, family events, and other program activities.

Requirements

Pass a physical examination, background check, and fingerprinting screen.
Have a valid driver’s license.
Have access to reliable transportation.
Have basic computer literacy, including email, word processing, and internet navigation.
Have training related to social, human, or family services.
Have experience assisting parents of young children with advocacy and family decision-making.
Be able to develop positive relationships with children and parents.
Be able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

Nice To Haves

Head Start experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Recruit, enroll, and build collaborative partnerships with 40 families whose children receive Head Start services.
Conduct annual and as-needed home visits based on each family’s identified tier level.
Ensure meetings and one-on-one interactions respect each family’s diversity and cultural background.
Work with families to identify goals, strengths, and needed services through the Family Needs Assessment, and track progress against Family Partnership Agreement goals.
Provide parents with opportunities to develop skills and knowledge in child growth and development, prevention of child abuse and neglect, family literacy, preventative health and safety, maintaining a medical home, community advocacy, and transition activities.
Arrange education and appropriate interventions related to family or individual mental health services, substance abuse, child abuse and neglect, and domestic violence when needed.
Build trusting relationships with families through regular communication.
Encourage and support parent participation in Head Start activities and decision-making.
Advocate for families to help ensure they receive necessary services and support.
Help families understand child development and the importance of early education.
Participate in community planning and advocacy to improve services for children and families.
Encourage volunteers to participate in the Head Start program.
Connect families with local resources, including housing assistance, employment support, food assistance, and healthcare services.
Collaborate with community partners to enhance services available to families.
Maintain current knowledge of local social service programs and eligibility requirements.
Maintain weekly contact with Teaching Associates to integrate family partnership goals with classroom efforts, support an integrated child and family curriculum, obtain information about children’s classroom performance, and plan family events.
Plan and attend parent committee meetings and family activities.
Assist families with transitions out of the Head Start Program.
Assist with health and developmental screenings within the 45/90-day requirements.
Provide crisis intervention for families as needed.
Participate in team meetings, training, and professional development opportunities.
Participate in ongoing Data Management System training.
Maintain and update child health records, follow up on referrals for support services, and keep documentation current in the program’s active database.
Submit requested reports, such as monthly summary tracking reports.
Assist with documenting in-kind contributions toward the non-federal share requirement.
Assist in organizing family events, workshops, and parent education sessions.
Maintain confidentiality regarding Associate and family information.
Attend Associate meetings, conferences, professional development, and assigned workshops, including Governance and ERSEA within 90 days of hire.
Serve as a mandated reporter under the Child Abuse and Neglect Policy.
Assist children and the center’s team in the classroom.
Maintain attendance at work to provide consistency of services.
Contribute to the team in a positive and productive manner.
Demonstrate commitment to the Y’s mission, values, and policies in daily duties.
Perform other work-related duties as requested by the supervisor.