Job Description

General Summary

Provide case management for designated families through referrals and supportive services. The Family Advocate acts as a liaison between families, staff and community partners and is responsible for the planning, implementation and documentation of services across health, nutrition, disability, transition, mental health, and the parent, family and community engagement content areas.

Primary Responsibilities

Establish community partnerships to enhance the quality of services provided to Head Start 0-5 families.

Assist Enrollment and PFCE content areas as it related to outreach, recruitment, transitions, and other required activities.

Connect families with opportunities that support family engagement in school readiness, safety, financial literacy, health and family wellness through the encouragement of participation in parent committee meetings, advisory committee meetings, parent/caregiver trainings, and Policy Council.

Deliver appropriate and time sensitive case management services to diverse family systems and families experiencing crisis.

Maintain accurate, organized and up to date documentation of event notes along with information related to health, mental health, disabilities, family engagement and nutrition within the Head Start electronic software.

Works closely with Operation Manager to report on family related services and end-of-year Program Information Reports.

Establish strong relationships with families by utilizing individualized Family Assessments and a strengths-based approach to set family goals.

Maintain on-going contact with teaching staff in order to share relevant home information and gain information regarding child performance in the classroom.

Assist families in obtaining current, up-to-date immunizations, care plans, physical, dental, mental health, disabilities and nutrition requirements, including necessary referrals and follow-up.

Assure completion of health assessments for all assigned sites in accordance with Program Performance Standards.

Provide information and referrals for families and children as appropriate. Follow up and document all referrals to determine services received.

Assist teaching staff with documentation and child supervision in the classroom as required.

Assist teaching staff by ensuring all children are provided with high-quality safe, nurturing and educational practices through positive staff-child interactions, safe handling of children and child-centered learning experiences, as needed.

Makes appropriate referrals for families and children and follows up on referrals to determine if services were received and needs were met.

Responsible for the completion of enrollment interviews, monitoring of classroom folders and ensuring all forms are uploaded into electronic software.

Any other duties as assigned by the assigned Supervisor.

Work Experience

Required

Experience working with parents and/or

Children in a childcare, school, or office setting in which coordination of social services are provided.

Preferred

Minimum of 1 year Head Start experience

Education/Certifications/Licensure

Required

Baccalaureate or Associate degree in Social Work, Human Services, Family Services, Counseling, or a related field; or

Credential or certification in Social Work, Human Services, Family Services, Counseling, or related field

Prepare and train in the competency goals and indicators for Family Service Workers and attend the certification course as per the Head Start Act 648A – Staff qualifications for Family Service Workers.

Valid Texas Driver's License.

Must pass DFPS background check.

Must pass pre-employment physical.

Obtain Health Certificate annually.

Within 30 days of employment must be Pediatric CPR & First Aid certified and have a current Food Handler’s Card.

Must attend 24 clock hours of professional development and staff training per year as outlined by the Head Start Program Performance Standards and Texas HHS Minimum Standards for Child Care Centers.

Preferred

Master's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Family Services, Counseling, or a related field.

Skills

Frequent significant decision and problem-solving abilities.

Ability to work as a team member collaborating with staff, parents and community resources.

Physical Requirements

Able to perform the following physical reuqirements of the position with or without reasonable accommodation: critical sensory requirments include general vision; specific vision abiliites required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Hear or lsiten in the normal range (corrected) and speak and give direction clearly. Able to walk, sit, stand, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects up to 10 pounds., and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

If an offer of employment is extended, pre-employment physical must be passed before employment can begin.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed in a classroom/office setting where minimal exposure to injury exists. Hours of work will generally be during regular business hours and on average at least 40 hours per work. There will be variations in work hours due to employee special projects and deadlines.

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