Family Advocate II North Hollywood

Volunteers of America is a non-profit human services organization committed to serving people in need, strengthening families, and building communities. VOALA provides a variety of social services to Los Angeles area communities such as Head Start programs, Upward Bound college prep programs, veterans’ services, homeless shelters, low-income housing programs as well as drug and alcohol rehabilitation.

About the role

The Family Advocate II recruits and enrolls children into the Head Start Program, and assesses each family’s strengths, concerns, and priorities in order to provide services that improve a family’s future prospects in supporting their child through school. Using a case management methodology, the Family Advocate II will manage a caseload of families and assist them in all program areas, and engage families in activities that support them and their child’s development in becoming school ready.

The Family Advocate II supports the classroom care and supervision of children, as needed, when the class is temporarily understaffed. During this period, the Family Advocate can provide auxiliary services, such as food preparation, set up and cleanup, that allow the available teaching staff the ability to provide effective supervision of the children. The Family Advocate is responsible for working as a team with teachers, site supervisors, family Service Specialists and other support staff to help families make choices and decisions that will respond to each family’s unique culture, roles, values, strengths and beliefs.

Services for this position must be provided on-site. As a result, the position requires incumbents to report to work on-site each day of active employment.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain outreach and recruitment to ensure the assigned Head Start site is fully enrolled with eligible children, and monitor attendance to ensure children are actively involved in the program.
• Establish contact with community resources that can enhance program services.
• Interview parent(s) to compile mandated information and documentation for enrollment and services; establish each child's file.
• Collect, maintain, update and disseminate, as needed, information and documentation pertaining to the file, observing confidentiality at all times.
• Use a computerized data system to input, receive, and update required data.
• Initiate, maintain, and follow up with the referral process in conjunction with the family, teachers, Family Service Specialists and service support personnel.
• Provide children with a learning environment of varied activities that support each child’s age-appropriate development and prepares them to be school ready.
• Facilitate and ensure parent involvement activities and trainings; promote parent advocacy.
• Make a minimum of one home visit or more, as needed, within established timeline.
• Work with a team at the site to ensure that the safety and security of the children is the first priority.
• Establish and maintain direct communication channels with the family, program, program staff, Family Service Specialist, Administration and community members.
• Attend meetings and trainings, and continue on an educational path to meet the needs of the position and achieve professional growth.
• Actively participate in the classroom environment with the parent volunteers.
• Manage a caseload of families and assist them in getting their needs met; establish ongoing goals that engage them in their child’s learning and future growth.
• Accurately prepare and submit required reports and administrative forms on time.
• Take an active role in implementation and maintenance of program governance at the site level.
• Assist families to identify and meet milestones of attainable goals; work with the family to develop a Family Partnership Agreement.
• Attend Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings when requested.
• Other duties as required and subject to change at any time.

Requirements

• Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance, background check, including criminal history, personal references, employment and education verifications.
• Valid California Driver License or have means to utilize other available transportation to get to work.
• Valid first aid and CPR certifications.
• Proof of the following health requirements at the time of hire:
  • TB clearance within 6 months prior
  • Annual Influenza vaccination (between Nov. 1st - Mar. 31st)
  • Pertussis (whooping cough) and measles immunization
  • Health screening at the time of employment
• Requires ability to interact with children in a busy environment including, but not limited to:
  • Able to lift up to 50 lbs.
  • Frequently kneel and squat
  • Ability to move quickly
• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Services, Health or related field.
• 1 year experience in monitoring and tracking computer program data.
• Minimum of 3 months of case work management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in social work, case management, or as a health or parent involvement aid in a related program.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish (written and verbal).

Benefits

VOALA offers competitive medical, dental, vision and retirement benefits.

Pay

$23.80 - $25.05 per hour.

Mandated Reporter

As service providers to the underprivileged and vulnerable in our community, all employees are considered Mandated Reporters, and must report any instance of physical or sexual abuse to proper authorities.