FAMILY ADVOCATE

Job Description

Job Description

Description :

SUMMARY : Responsible for engaging and involving families of children enrolled in Head Start, Early Head Start, and / or Child Care Partnership through activities, practices, and services that support parents as the primary nurturers, experts, and teachers of their child to promote and sustain their child’s development and life success. Supports compliance with the Family / Community Partnership and Program Governance Performance Standards. To act as an Ambassador to the Agency and to reflect on all Agency matters positively.

REPORTS TO : Regional Manager

FLSA STATUS OF A FAMILY ADVOCATE : Full-Time, Non-Exempt

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A FAMILY ADVOCATE : Include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• PROMOTING AND ENHANCING PARENT / CHILD RELATIONSHIPS
• Collaborate with classroom and administrative staff to promote families’ understanding and management of their child’s behaviors, including positive approaches to discipline, as well as management of their emotional responses.
• Participate in all child / family staffings.
• Promote Family Literacy.
• Actively participate in staff meetings, trainings, and other collaborative planning meetings.
• Assist in follow-up of health screenings, immunization verifications, and outside agency referrals to promote needed treatment and compliance with licensing and program requirements.

2 . FAMILY PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND GOAL SETTING

3. PARENT INVOLVEMENT & COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

4. UTILIZE INFORMATION SYSTEMS TO SUPPORT CHILD / FAMILY / AGENCY OUTCOMES

5. OTHER ESSENTIAL DUTIES

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES OF A FAMILY ADVOCATE :

BENEFITS OF THE FAMILY ADVOCATE :

Requirements :

QUALIFICATIONS OF THE FAMILY ADVOCATE : To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

EDUCATION and / or EXPERIENCE OF THE FAMILY ADVOCATE : A.A. Degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field preferred. Minimum of a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS : Demonstrates clear and complete oral and written communication skills, appropriate respect, and good listening skills. Maintain confidentiality and professionalism of all family, volunteer, and staff information. Communicates optimistically, positively, and with honesty and openness.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS : Manages time effectively and uses program resources wisely. Must have computer skills.

REASONING ABILITY : Demonstrates effective leadership, teaming, and conflict resolution skills and demonstrates knowledge of appropriate child management strategies. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES : Ability to serve as a productive team member on an interdisciplinary team of professionals, respect and respond competently to the culture, traditions, lifestyle, language, and values of each family and community, and maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS : Valid driver’s license. Documentation of a degree.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS : The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT OF THE FAMILY ADVOCATE : The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IS NOT ALL-INCLUSIVE AND AN EMPLOYEE WILL ALSO PERFORM OTHER REASONABLE, RELATED BUSINESS DUTIES AS REQUIRED AND AS ASSIGNED BY THE HEAD START DIRECTOR AND OTHER MANAGEMENT.

THIS ORGANIZATION RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REVISE OR CHANGE THE JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AS THE NEED ARISES. THIS JOB DESCRIPTION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A WRITTEN OR IMPLIED CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT.

ICAA is an equal opportunity employer and provider operating under an approved Affirmative Action Plan. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage women, minorities, and persons with disabilities to apply.