Family Advocate

Job Description

Job Description

Description

The Family Advocate is responsible for promoting the mission of ABCD Head Start & Children’s Services; building an understanding of the program by communicating this mission to staff, families and the community. 

This position must comply with all federal, state and local laws, regulations, standards and policies, including those of the federal Administration for Children and Families (ACF), the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Massachusetts disability law (Chapter 766), Boston Family Engagement Network (BFEN) and ABCD, Inc. Head Start and Children’s Services policies and procedures. 

All ABCD Head Start/Early Head Start and Children’s Services personnel who are paid to care for, or work with, children are MANDATED BY LAW to report all suspected cases of child abuse and neglect to the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF), pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 119 §§ 51A – 51G.  Any staff member who suspects child abuse or neglect of a child must inform his or her supervisor immediately.

The responsibilities of a particular position may support both Early Head Start and Head Start depending on the individual assignment. The specific corresponding funding allocation will be documented on the personnel payroll authorization or change of status form.

All communications are potentially sensitive and are subject to Head Start's policy on confidentiality.

Essential Duties

Family Partnership Building (up to 35%)

• Welcome families into the program and share information about transitioning into Head Start.
• Ensure families are full partners in their own and their children’s development and learning by helping families develop and reach realistic and achievable long and short term goals.
• Engage families in assessing their needs and strengths, and supporting them in taking actions to reach their goals.
• Monitor progress on Family Partnership goals for all assigned families. 
• Promote partnership and maintain relationships with families through ongoing frequent communication including but not limited to phone calls, group activity, home visits, informal contacts and classroom visits.
• Provide assistance to families in addressing challenges by discussing issues and/or linking them to community resources, including but not limited to mental illness, substance abuse, housing, employment, disabilities, family violence, etc. that affect their well-being.
• Prepare and distribute follow up containing information to assist families in a timely manner. 
• Assist with all transitions of child and family. 
• Promote family literacy. 
• Work with parents to establish and maintain regular attendance for their child. 
• Make family home visits to conduct family interviews, identify needs and refer families to the appropriate Head start staff and/or outside agencies.

Parent Engagement and Community Engagements (Up to 25%)

• Provide support in parent engagement and planning activities.
• Assist and participate in recruitment efforts/activities along with ERSEA Specialist. 
• Participate and help facilitate parent orientations to the program. 
• Join and assist in parent meetings in order to support parents in the leadership role. 
• Actively encourage parents to participate in the program, including fatherhood engagement initiatives.  Provide content for parent newsletter, calendar, memo and flyers as needed. 
• Advocate and collaborate with community agencies to support child, family and outcomes. 
• Collaborate with other component staff and specialists including but not limited to medical, dental, speech, nutrition, mental health, special needs, etc. to arrange referrals and follow-up as needed. 

Utilize Information and Technical Systems (Up to 30%)

• Maintain attendance of children enrolled in the program through database system used by the agency.
• Maintain and document on-going contact with families. 
• Provide information relative to Head Start health and nutrition requirements: support families in completing vaccination, physical, dental and nutrition screenings and document in database system. 
• Document and track follow-up needs, Family Partnership Goals, health, dental, nutrition, hearing and vision concerns. 
• Document all parent contacts and home visits in database system used by the agency. 
• Document support consultation to teachers regarding particular concerns with families at scheduled meetings. 
• Maintain up to date records of all assigned families through documentation and database system used by the agency.

Additional Job Responsibilities (Up to 10%)

• Assist with administrative needs as requested.
• Attend required meetings, trainings on and off site. 
• Perform other related duties as assigned from time to time.

Job Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of and sensitivity to the educational and socioeconomic needs of the children and families served.
• The skill to deal with sensitive family situations in a non-threatening and professional manner.
• Behave in a professional manner.
• Knowledge of early childhood education and intervention preferred.
• Keyboarding skills, computer literacy and familiarity with various applications such as database, word processing, e-mail and internet.
• Ability to set and maintain professional boundaries with staff and families.
• Engage in ongoing staff development to expand professional skills.
• Successful experience in working as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication as well as interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of neighborhoods served by program and city-wide services relevant to the programs population. 
• Proven ability to keep accurate written records and documentation. 
• Possess the ability to work with culturally diverse low-income population. 
• Attend and participate in community activities, training, and night meetings as needed. 
• Possess bilingual ability where appropriate.  Translates as necessary or when needed.
• Maintain knowledge of all federal, state, city and program laws, regulations, standards and policies.

Physical Environmental Demands & Conditions

• Frequent significant decisions and problem solving abilities.
• Ability to work as a team member collaborating with coworkers, parents and community resources.
• Frequent traveling for home visits and off site trainings.
• Regular kneeling, bending and sitting on the floor to attend to child’s needs.
• Lift and move infant to preschool age children.
• Lift items based on program administration needs.
• Must be able to work independently without intensive supervision.
• Must be able to balance and prioritize work load and have strong time management skills.

Professionalism

• Engage in ongoing staff development to expand professional skills.
• Maintain professional boundaries in relationships with staff and families.
• Maintain confidentiality of child and family information at all times.

Education & Experience

Family Advocate I (HS) Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent with one of the following; Family Development Credential, Certificate in Human Services, Social Work, Family Services, Counseling or other comparable credential, or active enrollment in AA or BA degree program. If in a degree program, must be obtained within 18 months of hire. Up to 12 months of experience required. 

Family Advocate II (HS) Minimum of an AA/AS in Human Services, Social Work, Family Services, Counseling or a related field and up to 12 months of experience.

Family Advocate III (HS) Minimum of a BA/BS in Human Services, Social Work, Family Services, Counseling or a related field and up to 12 months of experience.

Expected Salary: $39,900, $44,900, and $52,000 USD. Due to funding restrictions, team parity, and our strong focus on equity, this salary is thoughtfully aligned with the duties of each job level and cannot be negotiated.