Family Advocate

About the role

The Family Advocate is responsible for carrying out the Parent, Family, & Community Engagement (PFCE) component of the program in connection with the partner’s School Readiness Goals (SGR), & areas of Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, & Attendance (ERSEA) as per the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) to ensure high quality service delivery in accordance with local, state, & federal regulations. Field work is required along with meeting families/planning/record keeping/training.

Responsibilities

• Identify, recruit and enroll prospective families through outreach and in accordance with Eligibility regulations.
• Maintain a caseload of families including but not limited to: developing and maintaining strengths based relationships with families.
• Collaborate with families to establish and achieve family goals.
• Identify resources in the community and track progress in achieving family goals (Family Partnership Agreements).
• Provide families with appropriate referrals and follow up with families and service providers on referrals.
• Enter child and family information into the approved child tracking system database (COPA systems).
• Aid in the collection of child health medicals and dentals.
• Maintain and provide data for the annual Program Information Report (PIR).
• Record, monitor and follow up on referrals for support services and ensure that all documentation is current in the child's file to ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards/Head Start Act 2007.
• Maintain constant contact with partner providers in order to integrate family partnership goals with classroom efforts.
• Assist in the planning & facilitation of parent involvement activities & events.
• Participate in home visits when necessary in regards to any follow-ups, attendance or routine visits.
• Effectively communicate with children, families, staff, management, and community partners.
• Comprehend and implement the Head Start Performance Standards and policies of Grand St. Settlement Early Childhood Program.
• Translate in verbal and written form as needed for parents/guardians and program needs.
• Aid the parents with the application and transition into 3K and Pre-K via DOE.

Requirements

• Required to have at minimum a credential/certification, Associates or Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, family services, counseling or a related field.
• Experience working with families of children from birth to 48 months.
• Experience working as a member of a team & independently.
• Experience, training, and skills in assisting the parents of young children in advocating and decision-making for their families.
• Working knowledge of local community-based agencies and resources.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word & Excel.
• Working knowledge of web-based data systems.
• Must be able to work flexible hours to meet the needs of the families.
• Maintain certification in CPR and First Aid.
• Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred.

Skills

• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team & independently.
• Ability to develop positive relationships with children and parents.

Benefits

• Pre-employment requirements: Clearance through DOI Fingerprint Screening, NYS Central Registry, Sex Offender Registry clearance, 3 reference checks, physical examination with updated TB test, varicella, tdap, MMR (fees may apply).
• Obtain Mandated Reporter training certificate (every 2 years) and comply with agency’s policy and procedure regarding identification and reporting of child abuse and neglect.
• Obtain First Aid/CPR and Preventive Infectious Diseases certificate within the first year of employment.
• Meet all employee health requirements in Article 47 (DOHMH) and Head Start Performance Standards.

Pay

$37,828.56 - $48,636.72

Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8am - 4pm, or 9am - 5pm. Schedule may vary due to program needs.