Site Supervisor / Family Advocate

Family Advocate/Site Supervisor

The Family Advocate is responsible for recruiting and enrolling children, assisting parents/families in obtaining needed social services, and involving parents/families fully in the operation of the EHS/HS program. Assist children and families in receiving services for all components offered by EHS/HS.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Recruit and enroll children in the EHS/HS program by making home visits, obtaining necessary information to determine eligibility, explaining the program to the parents, and making recommendations to supervisors about acceptance of children into the program.
• Perform all computer data entry of all instructed information at the time the application is taken and required throughout the year. Tentatively set bus routes to have a working knowledge of where all families are located (where applicable).
• Work with families of children enrolled in the EHS/HS program to assess their social service needs, make referrals to community resources and follow-up to ensure that families are obtaining needed services.
• Provide direct services to help EHS/HS families obtain services otherwise unavailable (i.e., transportation) or cope with everyday problems.
• Provide or arrange for crisis relief, where possible for EHS/HS families.
• Work with parents/families to organize a center committee (Team Builders) and train families in their rights and responsibilities as EHS/HS family members. Assist the parents/families in planning and conducting center committee (Team Builder) activities and programs.
• Ensure each enrolled child obtains all necessary medical and dental exams and screenings. Providing assistance, including transportation, to parents when needed.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other EHS/HS staff, work closely with Family Support Coordinators and human services staff in the community to assure the availability of a comprehensive array of services to meet social service needs of EHS/HS families.
• Recruit volunteers from throughout the community (including EHS/HS parents/families) to support all components of the EHS/HS program.
• Maintain required records and prepare and submit necessary reports on a timely basis.
• Encourage parents/families to become involved in the total EHS/HS program, including Policy Council meetings, organized family activities, etc.
• Identify community resources and secure services, goods, or financial support for the support of the EHS/HS program. Accomplish this through regular ongoing contact with families.
• Provide required number of home visits including special home visits as needed and as outlined in Policies and Procedures.
• Assist in providing information to families and the general community about the purpose and goals of the EHS/HS program.
• Participate in training and career development activities as directed by supervisor.
• Attend pre-service and in-service training.
• Work cooperatively with administrative staff and other agency personnel.
• Assist families with IFPA (Individual Family Partnership Agreement) completing and following up with Family Assessments & goal setting.
• Understand responsibility of being a mandated reporter for Child Abuse and Neglect. Read and understand Child Abuse and Neglect Policy. Failure to follow reporting procedures, including incidents involving other staff members, may result in termination.
• Write referrals and follow-up as needed.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by supervisor.

Knowledge, skills and abilities include:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Knowledge of basic techniques of interviewing with potential families, utilizing a standard agency form and computer program.
• Knowledge of performance standards and regulations that apply to this position.
• Knowledge of eligibility requirements of various agency and community programs.
• Knowledge of all social and health resources in the community and ability to make effective referrals to such resources.
• Knowledge of problems of poverty in the community.
• Work toward obtaining the Family Development Credential (FDC) upon completion of the first year of employment, if available.
• Ability to develop a respectful relationship with low-income community residents.
• Knowledge of the purpose, goals and resources of the agency.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
• Ability to read and write at a level sufficient to record observations and family information.
• Ability to utilize technology and computer skills that will allow for entering required information into computer database.
• Demographic and geographic knowledge of the community.
• Ability to conduct oneself in a manner projecting a positive image to children, parents/families, program, agency and community.
• Possession of a valid, current Missouri Driver's License, reliable vehicle and appropriate insurance coverage for transporting child and parent for appointments.
• Obtain Missouri Chauffeur's License within 60 days of employment for transporting children and parents for appointments in an agency vehicle, when available.
• Ability to work effectively with local community agencies and individuals.
• Ability to manage sensitive agency participant information in a confidential manner and adhere to agency policy on confidentiality.
• Obtain initial medical exam and TB assessment within 30 days of employment. Complete a medical exam and TB assessment every five years following initial employment.
• Pass background screen, child abuse/neglect screen, drug screen, and be subject to random drug testing.
• Have within eighteen months of hire, at a minimum, a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling or a related field.