Family Services Advocate

Palmdale School District • Palmdale, CA

22h • Onsite

About The Position

The Family Services Advocate assists with recruitment, eligibility, and enrollment of eligible children in Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs. The role supports families in addressing needs, improving family conditions and quality of life, and accessing community services and resources. It also assists with implementation of applicable standards and regulations, including the Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), Title IV, and Title XXII.

The position receives general supervision from the Director of Early Childhood Education or designee. It typically works full-time, eight hours per day and 40 hours per week, on a 12-month work calendar. Work is regularly performed indoors in a temperature-controlled environment and may involve contact with families, school staff, students, community agencies, and elementary school districts. The role may include evening and weekend community meetings or events, home visits, transportation of families between sites, and substitute ECE Teacher Assistant duties as needed.

Requirements

• High school graduation or GED equivalent, or higher.
• Successful completion of 12 college-level units in Early Childhood Education; official transcripts must be uploaded with the application.
• Typing speed of 40 net words per minute; speed is verified by a performance test on the examination date.
• Within 18 months of hire, staff working directly with families on the Family Partnership process must have at least a credential or certification in Social Work, Human Services, Family Services, Counseling, or a related field, or a Family Development Credential.
• Valid CPR and First Aid certificate before completion of the employee’s probationary period.
• Valid driver’s license and private transportation, or ability to obtain transportation between job sites.
• Applicants must take the qualifying written multiple-choice, performance, and oral examination if they meet the minimum qualifications.
• A valid picture identification is required for admission to the examination.
• Some general clerical experience is desirable, preferably in a school district or Early Childhood Education/Head Start program.

Nice To Haves

• Family Development Credential.
• General clerical experience, preferably in a school district or Early Childhood Education/Head Start program.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, determine eligibility for, enroll, and provide case management to ECE families, including children with disabilities.
• Participate in annual community assessment activities, including distributing surveys, attending community meetings and events, and contributing to analysis of community needs.
• Schedule and complete eligibility and enrollment documents, maintain the enrollment waitlist, and participate in ERSEA workgroups to determine annual eligibility criteria.
• Collaborate with families on family assessments and individual or family partnership agreements, identifying strengths and needs and setting individual, family, and school-readiness goals.
• Follow up on services and manage a caseload to ensure timely service delivery and that family needs are being met.
• Communicate and collaborate with ECE program areas to ensure services are provided and implemented.
• Participate in, prepare for, and present at case management and multidisciplinary team meetings.
• Encourage families to attend parent orientation and take part in program governance, meetings, parent activities, Policy Council, committees, and workshops.
• Develop annual recruitment plans for assigned recruitment and enrollment areas and coordinate with program staff to fill vacancies caused by withdrawals, transfers, or transitions.
• Document recruitment efforts and review applications in the data-entry system.
• Complete, enter, and scan selected families’ enrollment documents, including applications and health, disability, mental-health, nutrition, immunization, service-area, and emergency information.
• Work as a substitute ECE Teacher Assistant as needed.
• Maintain confidentiality of student files and personal matters.
• Perform clerical duties such as typing, filing, data entry, recordkeeping, report submission, responding to program inquiries, and operating standard office machines.
• Provide service-area and community referrals as needed and act as a liaison between ECE and elementary school districts.
• Collaborate with the Program Director, Leadership Team Facilitators, and ERSEA Committee; help prepare and update annual ERSEA written plans consistent with applicable Head Start standards.
• Conduct home visits to follow up on progress or make contact when other communication methods are lacking.
• Transport families in an ECE vehicle to program meetings and community service agencies when necessary.
• Participate in the annual ECE program self-assessment and attend or support staff and parent workshops and other required meetings.
• Assist in other areas during periods of reduced office staffing or peak workloads and perform related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and term life insurance for employees and eligible dependents, per contract year.
• Seventeen paid holidays within the work year.
• Sick leave granted in proportion to daily hours worked.
• Vacation earned at the prescribed rate as part of compensation, becoming vested after completion of the initial probationary period.
• After becoming permanent, a one-step salary advance, with future annual advances up to the fifth step of the salary schedule.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED