Home Based Family Advocate

About the role

The Center for Human Services (CHS) has provided exceptional opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1955. CHS currently offers programs and services to assist individuals with disabilities, low‑income families, at‑risk children, and their families to meet their goals and experience their best lives while living, working, playing, and becoming part of their communities. As an organization, CHS leads in excellence, is committed to solutions, respects all differences, abilities, and similarities in employees and clients, and advocates autonomy.

The Head Start/Early Head Start Home Based Family Advocate supports families with children ages 0‑5 by encouraging family engagement, child development, and overall family well‑being through weekly home visits. During visits, the home visitor provides learning experiences for the child, supports parents to actively engage in activities that promote school readiness, conducts child screenings, assists parents in goal setting, and provides information and resources to ensure child and family success in the program.

Responsibilities

• Assist HS/EHS families in the assigned service area.
• Provide all HS/EHS families with weekly 90‑minute home visits.
• Carry a caseload of 10 to 12 families and children.
• Meet the needs of working parents in the evenings, as needed.
• Organize and maintain caseload files required to meet state, federal, and local requirements.
• Enter data and documentation into assigned databases weekly.
• Possess and demonstrate strong working knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Initiate and maintain intensive, flexible, comprehensive, and responsive home visits for families of infants and toddlers enrolled in the home‑based program.
• Conduct weekly observations of parent‑child interaction and child development for assessment.
• Maintain professional boundaries and assure confidentiality of information regarding children, families, and coworkers.
• Assist in strengthening the parent‑child relationship.
• Assist parents in improving skills to optimize the home environment.
• Assist in improving the family support system.
• Assist in increasing the family’s ability to problem solve and act as an advocate for themselves and their children.
• Assist families in identifying goals for the Individualized Family Partnership Agreement (IFPA) and implementing those goals.
• Assist families in identifying developmental goals for enrolled children for School Readiness Plans.
• Screen HS/EHS children for normal growth and development.
• Demonstrate respect for the capabilities, backgrounds, and cultural differences of families, children, coworkers, and the public consistent with trauma‑informed practices to form trusting relationships.
• Respect the rights of all individuals served regardless of race, color, religion, or disability.
• Consistently address children, families, community members, and co‑workers in a courteous, pleasant, and respectful manner.
• Consistently maintain and promote excellence in services through open and honest relationships with parents and co‑workers.
• Serve as a resource to low‑income families to identify needs and refer to other supportive agencies.
• Facilitate monthly socialization activities in partnership with other home visitors and families; organize and assist with monthly parent meetings.
• Obtain required program certifications.
• Maintain educational requirements associated with each credential.
• Accept and willingly carry out special assignments as directed by the Home Visitor Supervisor.
• Collaborate with other agencies involved with families (including First Steps and CWS) by supporting family goals, attending transitional meetings, or conducting co‑visits with other providers.
• Follow the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Code of Ethical Conduct.
• Complete training as stated by CHS policy HRD‑P‑022 – Training.
• Promote a positive safety culture; review and strictly follow safe work practices and policies for this position.
• Bilingual Home Visitor – Spanish/English: Work with Spanish‑speaking families; provide Spanish‑English bilingual capacity; support development of the home language for dual language learners with culturally and linguistically appropriate materials; conduct screenings and assessments in the language that best captures the child’s development; conduct family engagement services and home visits in the family’s preferred language; provide translation services for families interested in or enrolled in the program to support full enrollment and participation in EHS services, including policy council and parent meetings; support translation of program documents, materials, and recruitment activities; assist the ERSEA team in recruitment events and intake/enrollment for Spanish‑speaking families; provide non‑supervisory support and peer mentorship to home visitors on bilingual services to children and families.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree.
• Excellent Excel, Access, Word, and PowerPoint skills.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Must obtain a 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.

Qualifications

• Experience in the delivery of family‑centered services to infants, toddlers, and families and early childhood education is preferred.
• Knowledge of child health, safety, and nutrition along with adult learning principles and family dynamics is preferred.
• Knowledge of Child Plus and Parents as Teachers curriculum is preferred.

Skills

• Ability to collaborate and work with other home visitors.
• Ability to obtain required certifications – Infant Massage, Parents as Teachers, and Doula.
• Ability to problem solve and think critically.
• Ability to work independently, manage a caseload, and complete documentation on time.
• Knowledge of child development for the years 0‑5.
• Competencies: Accurate Listening, Attention to Detail, Attitude Towards Others, Conceptual Thinking, Developing Others, Empathetic Outlook, Gaining commitment, Relating to Others.
• Physical requirements: While performing duties, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Benefits

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

Schedule

FT (35 hrs/wk) Mon‑Fri TBD