Bilingual Family Advocate

POSITION SUMMARY:  This position supports and assists families as they identify and meet their own goals through a family-centered case management model for developing and carrying out the program Family Partnership Agreements including responsibility for child files, enrollment/applications, etc. This position also assists with the completion of the child health requirements and other required screenings and assessments. This position supports the larger system of social services coordinated by Head Start/Early Head Start, thereby supporting the goals of the program. The position may involve reassignment of caseloads and/or center location as deemed necessary for program operations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintains a caseload of approximately 50 families.
• Coordinates with center staff to align family partnership goals with classroom efforts and ensure an integrated child and family curriculum.
• Participates in team planning, implementation, and evaluation of Family and Community Partnership goals and objectives.
• Attends recruitment events as assigned, including evening and weekend activities.
• Recruits families and maintains both a waiting list and funded enrollment.
• Registers children and ensures compliance with the enrollment process.
• Maintains regular communication with teaching staff, while respecting family confidentiality, to ensure coordinated services that meet the individual needs of children and families.
• Conducts community outreach to encourage participation from individuals previously unaffiliated with the Head Start/Early Head Start program, including promoting volunteer opportunities.
• Arranges for educational and other appropriate interventions, including family access to counseling and information on mental health, substance abuse, child abuse and neglect, and domestic violence.
• Documents efforts to assist families in identifying their strengths, needs, and self-sufficiency goals.
• Performs necessary data entry to maintain current and accurate family files.
   
• Understands, generates, and documents in-kind and other allowable costs that contribute to the non-federal share requirement.
• Attends all workshops, meetings, and training sessions as directed by the immediate supervisor.
• Participates in all required staff and parent meetings and activities.
• Follows up on student absences and irregular attendance by contacting families and completing home visits.
• Maintains knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards and local child care licensing regulations.
• Demonstrates awareness of regulations related to occupational disease and injury prevention, including universal precautions and contamination prevention.
• Becomes thoroughly familiar with and adheres to the Head Start Employee Handbook, Human Resources Policies and Procedures, Head Start Operations Manual, and all other Head Start manuals and resources.
• Provides classroom coverage and supports center operations as needed, as directed by the Center Supervisor or Principal.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
   

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Helpfulness. The desire to help patients and their families is the most important asset in being a successful patient advocate.
• Demonstrate the ability to listen to others and remain receptive to new ideas.
• Demonstrate the ability to address criticism in an appropriate manner and develop constructive outcomes.
• Demonstrate flexibility, calm, and a professional manner when necessary to help families in crisis.
• Demonstrates the ability to communicate with families and clients.
• Demonstrate sustain