Family Advocate

Summary Under general supervision of the Program Administrator, the Family Advocate is responsible for the implementation of the ERSEA, Child Health and Developmental Services, Child Health and Safety, Child Nutrition, Child Mental Health, Family and Community Partnerships, Program Governance, and Disabilities Services components per ACFY Performance Standards and program policies and procedures. The Family Advocate promotes, in conjunction with other Early Head Start staff, active parent engagement in the Early Head Start Program and community; and assists the parents in assuming the primary responsibility for the welfare of their family. As Site Coordinator, this individual will also work cooperatively with the Child Development Specialist to support Center staff. Primary Duties SITE COORDINATION Serves as a member of the center management team and as such, provides leadership to center Staff as requested by the Child Development Specialist and/or Director Provide Supervision to center staff in the absence of the Center Child Development Specialist. Work with center staff to ensure that Center services are meeting participant needs. The FA/Site Coordinator will report directly to the Program Administrator. Track and order supplies for the center. GENERAL DUTIES Participates in the implementation of Parent Orientation. Participates in the annual Self-Assessment process. Utilizes the MHS and Brightwheel data management systems input data, enroll, document, and track services to children and families. Submit required reporting to Maryland Family Network according to the appropriate timelines. Participates in the completion of the annual Program Information Report (PIR). Maintains accurate and updated family files for each child enrolled in the Early Head Start program. Attends all required trainings through the recipient (MFN), the agency (SVDP) and/or the program. Lead or co-lead with Child Development Specialist, case management meetings with all appropriate staff to review all family files. ERSEA Establishes and carries out effective outreach initiatives to recruit children and families for the Early Head Start Program. Completes the intake interviews to determine eligibility of families for program and maintains a waiting list. Assists the Selection Process and placement of children into the Early Head Start program. Monitors attendance of children in assigned classrooms and assists parents in alleviating barriers to daily attendance. CHILD HEALTH, SAFETY, & NUTRITION Maintains accurate and updated individual health records on all Early Head Start children, manually and electronically. Helps to provide health education for parents, staff and children and links the child and the family to an ongoing health system. Identifies and utilizes state and local resources for the health program. Is responsible for identifying community partners and scheduling required preliminary health screenings of all Early Head Start children. Serves as an advocate for child health issues and services and assists in evaluation of the effectiveness of the health service component. Serves as a liaison to the health community, and an advocate for parents regarding health issues. Nutrition Assessment and Planning for Children: Obtains nutrition assessment information (growth assessment and health history) for each child enrolled in Early Head Start. Assists in the review of each child’s nutrition needs, including identifying special diets/allergies and restrictions. Assists in the evaluation of the information collected in a. and b. above for use in nutrition treatment programs and/or nutrition education programs and disseminates to appropriate staff. DISABILITIES/MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES Actively recruits children with special needs for the Early Head Start program. Supports teachers and/or parents in the program referral process. Attends staffings, child development team meetings, and/or IFSP meetings for all assigned children. Supports and empowers parents to advocate for their child with special needs. Obtains parental consent for all disabilities and/or mental health services for all assigned children. Serves as a liaison to facilitate the relationship between parents and disabilities and/or mental health staff as needed. FAMILY AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS Orients parents to the Early Head Start program and their roles as Early Head Start parents. Assists parents in the completion of the Family Strength and Needs Assessment to determine family strengths and identify goals that parents wish to work on while in the Early Head Start program. Conduct at least 2 home visits with enrolled families per year. Develops community partnerships with agencies to address the needs of Early Head Start families and children and implements activities around parent training, and or support groups to meet the goals of the families. Works with staff in involving parents in all aspects of Early Head Start, including education, health and social service components and educates them to parents' roles and needs. Attend training and conduct a formal parenting curriculum for enrolled families; Circle of Security or Nurturing Parenting Program. Provide coaching as needed to parents around parent-child issues and/or interpersonal difficulties. Collects and maintains records which document parent involvement in the program. Utilizes all available resources to complete required records and ensure their confidentiality. Refers parents to available resources in the community that address identified goals/needs; makes and accepts referrals for children and families to and from other agencies. PROGRAM GOVERNANCE Recruits parents and community partners to support the mission and goals of the Early Head Start program. Educates parents on the importance of program governance. Assists the Program Administrator in orienting parents to their rights, roles and functions as a part of program governance, including training parent representatives for participation in policy committee and council and developing advocacy skills for their child and families. Attends meetings, when assigned, to support parents on the committees. Secondary Duties Be willing to support classrooms as needed, covering lunches, breaks, teacher absences as directed. Is trained in and competent in understanding and implementing trauma informed care philosophy and principles. Assists the Program Administrator in representing the mission and interest of Head Start as a program of St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore to external groups, organizations, and service providers. Assists with and attends special events held by the Center and St. Vincent de Paul as necessary. Understand and be committed to the overall philosophy of Early Head Start. Maintain respect for confidentiality of information divulged by or on behalf of participants. Upholds the vision, mission and values of St. Vincent de Paul. Attends all staff meetings and other meetings as required/directed. Supports a welcoming and positive environment for all families and volunteers and works with them effectively. Some nights and weekends required. Other duties as assigned within the scope of the position. #J-18808-Ljbffr