EHS Family Advocate/Home Visitor Teacher

Program: Early Head Start - Hidalgo

Location: Edinburg, TX | Non-Exempt | Full Time, 40 hours per week, 12 months a year

About the Role

Performs all activities in the implementation of ERSEA (Enrollment, Recruitment, Selection, Eligibility, and Attendance) requirements ensuring responsiveness to the results of the Community Assessment and all applicable Head Start Performance Standards. Collects, inputs, and analyzes data into the child enrollment, health, and attendance systems. Assists in the development of policies and procedures for ERSEA and for prohibition of suspension and expulsion. This position will also assist parents through a referral system to community agencies in cooperation with all other disciplines (Child Development/Disabilities, Health, Mental Health, Nutrition, and Administration). Assumes a key role in compliance with Head Start Performance Standards.

Responsibilities

• Engage in comprehensive, integrated planning with the management team to:
  • Create ERSEA goals/outcomes and a system of services that support the eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance of infants and toddlers, responsive to the community assessment.
  • Create family and community engagement goals/outcomes and a system of services aligning with the Head Start Parent Family Community Engagement Framework.
  • Create a system of services that limits child suspension and prohibits child expulsions from the program.
  • Ensure the implementation of ERSEA and Family/Community Engagement throughout the program.
  • Support the ERSEA/Family Engagement Manager in developing policies and procedures for ERSEA and Family/Community Engagement.
• Assist in the assessment of community, program, child, and family needs, strengths, and resources in quality-of-life issues; compile and analyze data; produce reports; ensure integration of dual language learners, homeless children, children in foster care, and children with disabilities.
• Under the direction of the ERSEA/Family Engagement Manager, track and report each child’s attendance and follow through with individual intervention in cases of chronic absenteeism.
• Assist with the development of the Community Assessment, annual program self-assessment, and federal onsite review process focused on compliance with ERSEA and progress on family/community engagement; report on strengths, recommendations, and required improvements; implement improvements and incorporate them into the program planning process.
• Implement the system to track eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance of children to comply with federal and state program regulations.
• Assist in creating criteria for the selection and enrollment of children, ensuring responsiveness to the community assessment and reflecting data on dual language learners, homeless children, children in foster care, and children with disabilities.
• Perform intake/registration procedures for all families, ensuring income verification and eligibility qualifications are met; ensure applications are complete and data is accurately entered in the Child Plus database.
• Maintain record-keeping and reporting policies for waitlists, enrollment, attendance, timelines, schedules, and procedures in accordance with state and federal program requirements.
• Conduct ongoing monitoring, tracking, follow-up, and analysis of enrollment and attendance data; produce regular reports for management meetings.
• Assist in addressing possible child suspensions and prohibiting expulsion in collaboration with Mental Health Services.
• Maintain enrollment forms, ensuring information is current, correct, and disseminated to all necessary staff to meet program requirements.
• Perform recruitment activities in response to enrollment and waitlist data; ensure full program enrollment and maintenance of a sufficient waitlist.
• Compile and submit Program Information Report (PIR) data periodically.
• Implement the system for Family and Community Engagement Services, including record-keeping and reporting of the Family Partnership Agreement aligned with the Parent Family Community Engagement Framework.
• Serve as a program resource for consultation, information, and referral regarding community resources to staff and client families.
• Complete family service home visits and Needs Assessments.
• Support families in obtaining their infant/toddler’s health requirements, such as vaccines, annual health checkups, and dental/oral health exams; follow up with parents and doctors on health requirements and ongoing healthcare, including access to a medical and dental home.
• Track and document health events in the program’s data management system; conduct health home visits, screenings, and assessments with families and pregnant women.
• Monitor children’s health reports and collaborate with the Health Services Team.
• Support the referral process for children with possible special needs and collaborate with the Education/Disabilities Team, teachers, and parents.
• Attend all required Professional Development training.
• Complete other related activities and duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED and completion of a family development or social services credential within 18 months of hire.
• One to three years’ experience working with families and children prenatal to three years of age.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; advanced proficiency in MS Office Suite.
• Working knowledge of local community resources and health requirements for children, zero to three years of age.
• Valid Driver’s License, personal vehicle, and liability insurance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Family development credential, associate or bachelor's degree in social work, family services, human services, or a related field.
• Experience working in a Head Start or Early Head Start program and knowledge of the Office of Head Start Performance Standards.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish).

Skills

• Self-motivated, dedicated, and passionate about helping infants, toddlers, and families grow in development and education.
• Personable, energetic, and empathetic leader capable of managing multiple staff, managers, and projects in a prioritized manner.

Physical Demands

• Ability to see at normal distance and hear normal conversations and sounds.
• Ability to use hands and fingers to fill out required forms.
• Ability to lift infants and toddlers weighing up to 40 pounds, 20 pounds overhead, and 40 pounds from waist to shoulder; occasional lifting of 50 pounds; must be able to push/pull up to 50 pounds horizontally.
• Ability to sit on the floor, bend at the waist, kneel, and/or stoop 75% of the time.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, provided the staff disability does not create an undue risk of injury to enrolled children.

About Urban Strategies

Urban Strategies exists to equip, resource, and connect faith- and community-based organizations so that all children and families can reach their full potential. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., our team serves in the U.S. mainland, Puerto Rico, and Central America.

Company Culture

• Authentic Relationships: Foundational to our work, moving beyond transactional interactions to truly know people. They serve as opportunities for mutual development and growth, based on the belief that all people have inherent dignity and worth.
• Servant Leadership: Rooted in an other-centric mindset that informs how we lead and build up individuals, families, and communities.
• Intentional Compassion: Describes a deliberate commitment to understand, formulate strategic responses, and activate others to reach their full potential.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Company-paid life and disability insurance.
• 401K matched contributions up to 4%.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Generous vacation time (varies by program and position).
• 9 sick days and 11 holidays.
• Long- and short-term disability provided at no cost.
• Company-provided laptop for positions that require one.
• Company-issued cellphone for positions that require one.

Perks

• Meaningful employee engagement programs.
• Education discounts (BA-PhD) with a variety of education partners.

Pay

$18.85 per hour