Family Advocate

POSITION SUMMARY : Responsible for the recruitment and enrollment of eligible families. Responsible for identifying the needs of families and their children in Head Start/Early Head Start and for providing comprehensive case management services in an effort to empower them to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency.

Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm

Please apply online at

Only completed and signed applications will be considered.

Full Time Position- Benefits Eligible: Vacation, Sick, PTO, Employer Paid Health Benefits, Vision & Dental Plans, 403b Retirement, 14 Company Paid Holidays, Pet Insurance, Basic $30,000 Life Insurance Policy, and Long-Term Disability (LTD). Public Service Loan Forgiveness Qualified Employer.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Recruits eligible children for the Head Start/Early Head Start program to meet enrollment requirements, including children with disabilities.
• Completes applications, parent interviews, and enrollment process.
• Schedules, facilitates and documents Project Spotlight in accordance with procedures and ensures follow up is complete.
• Provides case management to support families in identifying needs and goals, develop family partnership agreements, make referrals as necessary, and provide follow up.
• Collaborates with health services staff to ensure compliance with all child health requirements. Connects families with community resources to meet basic needs in times of crisis.
• Documents all aspects of the case management process in ChildPlus.net.
• May assist in scheduling initial home visit for teaching team as required by program and provides subsequent visits as deemed necessary.
• Prepares, maintains, and updates child/family files/records in accordance with policies and procedures.
• Supports families in coordinating, preparing and actively participating in the Parent Family and Community Engagement Experiences. Is an active participant in all parent events.
• Collaborates with the Parent, Family and Community Engagement Committee and Family Services Coordinator to ensure that parent/male engagement and parent activities occur at the center.
• Works collaboratively with center staff to promote and document family participation, and provide feedback to parents and staff regarding participation

• Documents and provides follow up of excessive absenteeism and attendance concerns as required by program.Ensures compliance with the Rilya Wilson Act.
• Submits reports, documents, and files as directed. Meets monthly with the ERSEA Supervisor to discuss outcomes from reports.
• Maintains open and positive communication with families through ongoing contact and interaction. Greetsparents at child arrival and departure times to the extent possible. Provides information about community events to families.
• Works in collaboration with the Community Outreach Coordinator by participating in community activities/events (occasionally on weekday evenings or weekends) that support families, enhance the Head Start/Early Head Start program, and increase community awareness of Head Start/Early Head Start.
• Acts as an advocate and role model for Head Start/Early Head Start families.
• Attends and actively participates in training programs, staff meetings, and other meeting/trainings.
• Maintains confidentiality in all aspects of client, staff and agency information.
• Maintains effective working interaction with coworkers and outside contacts that will enhance the operation of Head Start/Early Head Start program.
• Organizes and prioritizes all assignments as directed.
• Participates in regular safety, storm and fire drills.
• Uses and follows federal, state and local regulations/laws, including the Head Start/Early Head Start Performance Standards, applicable transmittal notices, and other administrative orders/directions.
• Participates in ongoing monitoring, Community Assessment and Self-Assessment and performs reasonable related functions. Uses and follows the policies/procedures of You Thrive Florida, including but not limited toPersonnel Policies, Occupational Health and Safety policies, payroll policies/practices, etc.
• Ensure documentation standards in ChildPlus are met as required by Program.

NON-ESSENTIAL/SECONDARY FUNCTIONS:

Performs any additional duties as directed or assigned by supervisor, management staff, program director or You Thrive Florida management staff. This description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with the position.

JOB STANDARDS:

Education: Minimum of a High School Diploma and FDC Course; credential or certification in SocialWork, Human Services, Family Services, counseling or related field; Employee will obtain certification in First Aid/CPR. Within 90 days of employment must begin at least one of the DCF Child Care training courses listed in S.402.305 (2) (d), Florida Statutes. Within eighteen (18) months of hire will complete Head Start/Early Head Start required certification training hours. Employee must complete the Head Start/Early Head Start mandated 55 hours of Florida DCF Child Care Training as outlined in the Family Advocate Career Advancement Criteria. Employee will obtain certification in ERSEA within 1 year of hire date and will maintain annually thereafter.

Experience: No experience required if in possession of a Human Services or Social Work Associates degree or higher.

Licenses & Certifications: Valid Florida driver's license and be insurable by Company's current carrier. Subject to Federal, State and Local legal requirements/background checks/clearance for working with children. First Aid and CPR certified.

CRITICAL SKILLS, ABILITIES, & EXPERTISE:

Physical Requirements: These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Sitting, standing for long periods of time, use of fingers, arms, hands and legs and voice/talking are constant. Good eyesight (correctable) and hearing (correctable) are essential. Squatting, walking, handling, grasping, stretching/reaching, bending at the waist and light lifting and/or carrying (up to 15lbs) are frequent. Pushing, pulling, kneeling, balancing, turning,feeling, medium lifting, and/or carrying (up to 30lbs), and driving is occasional.

Equipment: Instructional materials and supplies, playground equipment, computer, multi-line phone and other small office and equipment and vehicle.

Skills & Expertise: Ability to arrive to work daily and on time. Ability to work with limited direction. Knowledge of organization methods. Skill in completing work with a high degree of accuracy. Ability to effectivelycommunicate orally and in writing. Ability to establish effective working relationships with people, particularly parents and children. Ability to analyze and interpret data and human/family needs. Ability to use and operate a personal computer. Ability to work with children. Knowledge of early childhood issues. Ability to maintain child and parent confidentiality. Ability to be reliable, responsible and accountable to job requirements. Ability to pass a competency exam with a minimum satisfactory score. (Satisfactory core to be defined by YTFadministration). Knowledge of community and community programs/resources.

ENVIRONMENTAL JOB FACTORS:

Job Location: Primary location is the Head Start/Early Head Start facilities in Hernando, Sumter and/or Volusia counties. Occasional travel to other counties. As determined by overall program needs, primary job location is subject to change within the program's operational regions at any given time with reasonable notice provided.

Work Environment: While performing the responsibilities of the position, these work environment characteristics are representative of the environment the employee will encounter. Office environment and working alone and with others frequently. Working with office equipment is frequent. Occasionally outdoors and operates a vehicle.

Please see the link below to the new Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse Education and Awareness website. This site was implemented under the directive of HB 531 (2025). As part of these requirements, each specified agency must include a clear and conspicuous link to the webpage on its website and provide the link in all job vacancy advertisements and posts by the qualified entity.