Family Advocate Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Minimum of a High School Diploma and FDC Course; credential or certification in Social Work, Human Services, Family Services, counseling or related field.
• Employee will obtain certification in First Aid/CPR.
• Within 90 days of employment must begin at least one of the DCF Child Care training courses listed in S.402.305 (2) (d), Florida Statutes.
• Within eighteen (18) months of hire will complete Head Start/Early Head Start required certification training hours.
• Employee must complete the Head Start/Early Head Start mandated 55 hours of Florida DCF Child Care Training as outlined in the Family Advocate Career Advancement Criteria.
• Employee will obtain certification in ERSEA within 1 year of hire date and will maintain annually thereafter.
• No experience required if in possession of a Human Services or Social Work Associates degree or higher.
• Valid Florida driver’s license and be insurable by Company’s current carrier.
• Subject to Federal, State and Local legal requirements/background checks/clearance for working with children.
• First Aid and CPR certified.
• Ability to arrive to work daily and on time.
• Ability to work with limited direction.
• Knowledge of organization methods.
• Skill in completing work with a high degree of accuracy.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with people, particularly parents and children.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data and human/family needs.
• Ability to use and operate a personal computer.
• Ability to work with children.
• Knowledge of early childhood issues.
• Ability to maintain child and parent confidentiality.
• Ability to be reliable, responsible and accountable to job requirements.
• Ability to pass a competency exam with a minimum satisfactory score.
• Knowledge of community and community programs/resources.

Responsibilities

• Recruits eligible children for the Head Start/Early Head Start program to meet enrollment requirements, including children with disabilities.
• Completes applications, parent interviews, and enrollment process.
• Schedules, facilitates and documents Project Spotlight in accordance with procedures and ensures follow up is complete.
• Provides case management to support families in identifying needs and goals, develop family partnership agreements, make referrals as necessary, and provide follow up.
• Collaborates with health services staff to ensure compliance with all child health requirements.
• Connects families with community resources to meet basic needs in times of crisis.
• Documents all aspects of the case management process in ChildPlus.net.
• May assist in scheduling initial home visit for teaching team as required by program and provides subsequent visits as deemed necessary.
• Prepares, maintains, and updates child/family files/records in accordance with policies and procedures.
• Supports families in coordinating, preparing and actively participating in the Parent Family and Community Engagement Experiences.
• Is an active participant in all parent events.
• Collaborates with the Parent, Family and Community Engagement Committee and Family Services Coordinator to ensure that parent/male engagement and parent activities occur at the center.
• Works collaboratively with center staff to promote and document family participation, and provide feedback to parents and staff regarding participation
• Documents and provides follow up of excessive absenteeism and attendance concerns as required by program.
• Ensures compliance with the Rilya Wilson Act.
• Submits reports, documents, and files as directed.
• Meets monthly with the ERSEA Supervisor to discuss outcomes from reports.
• Maintains open and positive communication with families through ongoing contact and interaction.
• Greets parents at child arrival and departure times to the extent possible.
• Provides information about community events to families.
• Works in collaboration with the Community Outreach Coordinator by participating in community activities/events (occasionally on weekday evenings or weekends) that support families, enhance the Head Start/Early Head Start program, and increase community awareness of Head Start/Early Head Start.
• Acts as an advocate and role model for Head Start/Early Head Start families.
• Attends and actively participates in training programs, staff meetings, and other meeting/trainings.
• Maintains confidentiality in all aspects of client, staff and agency information.
• Maintains effective working interaction with coworkers and outside contacts that will enhance the operation of Head Start/Early Head Start program.
• Organizes and prioritizes all assignments as directed.
• Participates in regular safety, storm and fire drills.
• Uses and follows federal, state and local regulations/laws, including the Head Start/Early Head Start Performance Standards, applicable transmittal notices, and other administrative orders/directions.
• Participates in ongoing monitoring, Community Assessment and Self-Assessment and performs reasonable related functions.
• Uses and follows the policies/procedures of You Thrive Florida, including but not limited to Personnel Policies, Occupational Health and Safety policies, payroll policies/practices, etc.
• Ensure documentation standards in ChildPlus are met as required by Program.
• Performs any additional duties as directed or assigned by supervisor, management staff, program director or You Thrive Florida management staff.

Benefits

• Vacation
• Sick
• PTO
• Employer paid health benefits
• Vision & Dental Plans
• 403B retirement
• 14 company paid holidays
• Pet Insurance
• Basic $30,000 Life Insurance Policy
• Long-Term Disability Insurance (LTD)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D)