Head Start Family Service Advocate

Cankdeska Cikana Community College • Fort Totten, ND

74d • $20

About The Position

The Head Start Family Service Advocate is responsible for organizing and facilitating meetings and training sessions focused on Parenting Skills for parents. This role involves conducting home visits with enrolled Early Head Start and Head Start families, assisting parents in developing individualized financial and social self-sufficiency goals, and referring families to medical insurance and other services for their children. The advocate will maintain all Family Services files, records, and reports, and will participate in inter-agency meetings and community boards, representing the program. Additionally, the advocate will organize Parent Committee and Policy Council meetings, provide training to parent representatives, and engage in ongoing professional development. The position requires coordination of project efforts to encourage community involvement and volunteerism, as well as the development of family plans in collaboration with teaching staff. The advocate will also identify community resources, advocate for Head Start families, assist in fundraising activities, and ensure the delivery of social services. Confidentiality and adherence to Head Start Performance Standards are essential.

Requirements

• Currently working toward Bachelor degree in Social Work, Human Services, Family Services, Counseling, or related field or willingness to complete the Family Service Credential within first 6-months of hire.
• Head Start experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of local resources and the skill to link families with appropriate agencies/services.
• Strong verbal, organizational and written communication skills.
• Commitment to professional standards of confidentiality.
• Flexible work schedule is required to include evening and possible weekend hours.

Responsibilities

• Organizes, facilitates and conducts meetings and training sessions in the area of Parenting Skills for parents.
• Conducts Family Services home visits with enrolled Early Head Start & Head Start families.
• Assist parents in developing individualized short/long term financial and social self-sufficiency goals.
• Assist families by referring them to medical insurance and other services for participating children.
• Maintain all Family Services files, records, and reports.
• Organizes and participates in Early Head Start/Head Start inter-agency meetings.
• Participates in community boards, councils, advisory groups, etc., representing the program.
• Organizes and facilitates all Parent Committee and Policy Council meetings and provides training to parent representatives.
• Attends grantee pre-service training, participates in and maintains ongoing efforts for professional development.
• Maintains organized records of activities related to the Family Partnership Area including family files, records, reports, plans, projects, and reviews.
• Coordinates and implements project efforts to encourage community members and parents as volunteers.
• Develop and implement on-going family plans with teaching staff regarding child performance in the classroom by coordinating parents.
• Identifies community agencies and resources which provide services to families, establishing and maintaining cooperative relationships with them.
• Advocates for Head Start families and promotes their ability to advocate for themselves.
• Assists parents in fund-raising activities, per Head Start fund raising policy.
• Coordinates and ensures the delivery of social services, emergency and non-emergency services, directly or through referrals.
• Coordinates the development and update of the Community Resources Directory.
• Responds to child(s) absences and follows up according to Head Start procedure.
• Submits accurate, timely reports as requested by Director or Grantee.
• Ensures absolute confidentiality with respect to information records concerning families and children.
• Performs ongoing ERSEA and Family Services documents accurately and timely.
• Adheres to Head Start Performance Standards and CCCC Personnel Policies.
• Participate in increasing knowledge of Dakota culture and language.

Benefits

• $20.00/HOUR + DOQ

What This Job Offers

• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree