Home Based Family Advocate

About the role

The Head Start/Early Head Start Home Based Family Advocate supports families with children between the ages of 0-5 years old by encouraging family engagement, child development, and overall family well-being through weekly home visits.

Responsibilities

• Assists HS/EHS families in assigned service area.
• Provides all HS/EHS families with weekly 90-minute home visits.
• Carrries a caseload consisting of 10 to 12 families and children.
• Mets the needs of working parents in the evenings, as needed.
• Organizes and maintains caseload files required to meet all state, federal, and local requirements.
• Enters data and documentation into assigned data bases weekly.
• Possess and demonstrate strong working knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Initiates and maintains intensive, flexible, comprehensive, and responsive home visits to families of infants and toddlers enrolled in home-based program.
• Conducts weekly observations of parent-child interaction and child development for assessment.
• Maintains professional boundaries and assures the confidentiality of information regarding children, families, and coworkers.
• Aids in strengthening the parent-child relationship.
• Aids in improving the family support system.
• Aids in increasing the family’s ability to problem solve and assumes the role of advocate for themselves and their children.
• Aids families in identification of goals for Individualized Family Partnership Agreement (IFPA) and implementation of goals.
• Aids families in identification of developmental goals for the enrolled children for School Readiness Plans.
• Screens HS/EHS children for normal growth and development.
• Demonstrates respect for the capabilities, backgrounds and cultural differences of families, children, coworkers, and the public consistent with trauma informed practices to form trusting relationships.
• Respects the rights of all individuals served regardless of race, color, religion, or disability.
• Serves as a resource to low-income families to identify needs and refer to other supportive agencies.
• Facilitates monthly socialization activities in partnership with other home visitors and families and organizes and assists with monthly parent meetings.
• Obtain required program certifications.
• Maintain educational requirements associated with each credential.
• Accepts and willingly carries out special assignments, as directed by Home Visitor Supervisor.
• Collaborates with other agencies involved with families- including First Steps and CWS by supporting the goals of the family with those agencies and attending transitional meetings or conducting co-visits with other providers.
• Follows the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Code of Ethical Conduct.
• Completes training as stated by CHS policy HRD-P-022 – Training.
• Responsible for promoting a positive Safety Culture is expected and necessary to make CHS a safe place in which to work.

Qualifications

• Associates degree
• Excellent Excel, Access, Word, and PowerPoint skills.
• Strong communication skills both written and verbal.
• Must obtain Class E driver’s license within 30 days of starting.
• Must provide proof of personal valid vehicle insurance (all applicants).
• TB Assessment and/or requirements
• Background screening to include fingerprinting is required.

Bilingual Home Visitor -Spanish/English

• Works with Spanish speaking families.
• Spanish – English bilingual capacity a must.
• Supports the development of the home language for dual language learners such as having culturally and linguistically appropriate materials available and other evidence-based strategies that recognize bilingualism and biliteracy as strengths.
• Conducts screenings and assessments for domains other than language skills in the language or languages that best capture the child’s development and skills.
• Conducts family engagement services and Home Visits in the family’s preferred language.
• Provides translation services for families interested in or enrolled in the program to help support their full enrollment and participation in EHS services, including policy council and parent meetings.
• Supports the program needs for translation of documents, materials, and recruitment activities.
• Supports the ERSEA team by participating in recruitment events and completing intake and enrollment processes for Spanish speaking families.
• Provides non-supervisory support and peer mentorship to home visitors in their approach to bilingual services to children and families.

Benefits

CHS offers best-in-industry benefits. Click here to view our Benefits guide for more details.

Shift

FT (35 hrs/wk) Mon-Fri TBD

EEO Statement

Center for Human Services/Chariton Valley Association provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This statement applies throughout the life cycle of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.