Family Advocate

Description

Family Advocate
West Covina, Calif. | Office/other

About our organization

At Options for Learning, we partner with children, families, educators, and communities to create strong foundations for lifelong success. Since 1981, we have provided quality early learning and school-age programs, family support services, and childcare resources designed to meet the evolving needs of the communities we serve.

Our work is rooted in relationships and guided by our values of integrity, compassion, respect, curiosity, and nurturing. These values shape how we support families, collaborate with one another, and respond to the changing needs of our communities every day.

Every interaction — whether with a family seeking guidance, a child entering a classroom, or a team member working behind the scenes — is an opportunity to create a positive and meaningful experience grounded in trust, empathy, and service.

Serving communities throughout the San Gabriel Valley, Whittier, Pomona Valley, and Northeast Los Angeles, our team is united by a shared commitment to continuous learning, strong partnerships, and helping children and families thrive.

At Options for Learning, employees are more than team members. They are trusted partners in work that makes a meaningful difference for children, families, and the communities we serve.

About this position

This position is responsible for providing valuable support services, resources, and referrals to families, as well as partnering with them to set family goals and promote positive child and family outcomes. The successful candidate will have experience working one-on-one with families from diverse populations and a proven record of positively building trust and rapport. They will also understand the challenges faced by families in our communities and be able to support them in setting and reaching family goals using a strengths-based approach.

This role must be able to work effectively both independently and collaboratively across teams and thrive in a fast-paced environment. We are looking for someone who is passionate about helping children and families thrive and reach their full potential.

What you’ll be doing

• Advocating for parents beginning at enrollment and continuing through the end of their time with the organization by providing needed resources and referrals for health, education, job training, counseling, and other services for children and families
• Maintaining detailed records on families served, referrals provided, services provided, services received, family goal progression, and outcomes achieved while maintaining confidentiality
• Attending in-person and virtual home visits to partner with parents and education staff in setting family goals, and monitoring progress and outcomes
• Working collaboratively with Enrollment, Health Services, and Inclusion departments to conduct child and family screenings within required timelines
• Inputting data into the student information system (Hubbe and others) accurately, consistently, and on time
• Monitoring and reporting on data related to family engagement, parent involvement, family goal-progression, and quality of resources
• Partnering with Enrollment, Educational Programs, Health Services, Inclusion, and Recruitment and Marketing departments in the coordination of family engagement resources, newsletters, activities, parent meetings, support groups, workshops, and events based on family needs and interests
• Working with parents and education staff to boost parent participation in meetings, events, workshops, and advocacy opportunities
• Attend training as required
• Performing other duties as assigned

What you bring to the table

• Associate’s degree in human services, social work, psychology, sociology, or related field
• Minimum six months of experience in facilitating classes, meetings, activities, or events for families
• Minimum two years of experience working with children and families from diverse populations utilizing a strengths-based approach
• Knowledge of Head Start performance standards and Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Framework family and child outcomes
• Experience handling parent concerns and family needs with sensitivity and respect
• Ability to advocate for parents and families with federal, state, and private agencies to obtain services
• Ability to transport parents when needed
• Completed mandated reporter certification training, to be renewed every two years
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and across departments to effectively meet the needs of children and families
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Bilingual in Spanish or Mandarin (preferred)

What we can offer you

• Medical/dental/vision for part- and full-time employees (organization pays up to 95% of employee's premiums; prorated for part-time)
• Organization-paid and matching retirement plan
• Professional growth opportunities, including free child development courses and college reimbursement
• Generous and flexible PTO
• Dedicated, mission-driven colleagues, and much more

Job specifications

• Reports to the family engagement supervisor
• Non-exempt, full-time, year-round position
• Eight-hour workday, four-day workweek
• Hybrid work schedule with approval by management
• Organization-wide winter break
• Limited evening or weekend work may be required
• Employment, responsibilities, compensation, and other factors may be affected by changes in governmental regulations, the organization’s contracts, or at the organization’s discretion.

Salary

• $27.64 to 36.66 per hour (candidates should anticipate receiving an offer within the first quartile of the salary range)