Early Head Start-Child Care Family Advocate - Pushmataha and Choctaw County

JOB SUMMARY: The EHS-CC Family Advocate is responsible for providing family service assistance for families with children enrolled in the LIFT CAA Early Head Start Program. Shares a general responsibility for the safety and well-being of all the children enrolled in the LIFT CAA Early Head Start program.The EHS-CC Family Advocate has the general responsibility for family support services including implementing, coordinating and providing direct case management services to EHS-CC families, developing and implementing partnerships with EHS-CC families including Family Partnership Agreements. Must coordinate/provide training to parents and community agencies; monitor the implementation of social services, parent involvement, volunteer services, and community partnerships and assist with the health and other support services provided to families. Must be able to read, speak and write with proficiency in English Language.In conformance with Head Start Performance Standards, assist families to build on their strengths and develop plans to address areas of concern, including job market assistance, and resource identification. This is a safety sensitive position.ON THE JOB SKILL REOUIREMENTS: Must demonstrate ability to work effectively with people, possess excellent problem solving, planning, and organizational skills. Be patient, able to resolve conflicts, gentle, kind, creative, resourceful, detail and multi-task orientation with a strong desire to succeed and be able to cope well with stress.ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/WORKING CONDITIONS: Enclosed facility, classroom and office environment; floors may be vinyl tile or carpeted; may come into contact with childhood diseases and blood on occasion; occasional home visits are conducted in family homes. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for case management. Conduct regular case reviews of all EHS-CC child/families assigned. Complete home visits, data collection, record keeping, and other responsibilities in case management. Establish and maintain a current and accurate record keeping system, within program procedures, with adequate provisions for confidentiality.
• Ensure all child/family files are up to date and accurate. Complete and ensure accurate data entry for all enrolled families.
• Implement goals, policies, procedures and activities designed to provide the full range of family support services in compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, including assisting families with obtaining health and dental services, and other child/family services identified, as part of ongoing case management. Provide individual and group services to EHS-CC families. Design and implement a formal system of follow up with families on referrals to community agencies, to assure the satisfactory provision of services.
• May be required to substitute in the Early Head Start Classroom as needed.
• Coordinate and develop linkages between other family support service agencies to provide better service delivery to EHS-CC families. Serve as an advocate for Early Head Start families within the community. Train and support EHS-CC parents to advocate for themselves and their families. Assist with compilation of resource manual.
• Ensure participation in parent involvement activities, as per Head Start Performance Standards, including assisting with organizing and providing ongoing support to the Parent Classroom Committee. Participate in monthly classroom Parent Meetings with Teacher and parents.
• Complete required home visits and parent contacts according to program schedule, policy and procedures.
• Help families identify and access needed resources including; health, mental health, social services, education and job training. Support family goal development. Coordinate/provide training for parents, and the community in all aspects of family support services, as determined by Family Assessments.
• Assist families in obtaining medical and dental services. Keep accurate records of results and document follow-up services. Refer children for further evaluation as necessary.
• Assist classroom staff and parents in developing transition plans for Early Head Start entering Head Start center.
• Conduct/assist with child developmental screening and health screening for: hearing, vision, height, and weight as required. Conduct other developmental and behavioral screenings within designated time frames. Schedule and follow up with medical and

dental appointments in a timely manner. Participants in IEP and IFSP staffing, as required. 

• Ensure and maintain accurate, up to date, records according to HS Performance Standards and program procedures, with adequate provisions for confidentiality. Ensure all child/family files are up to date and accurate, accurate da