Family Advocate

Job Details Location: Early Head Start Arlington - Baltimore, MD 21215 Position Type: Full Time Salary Range: $23.50 - $26.00 Hourly Travel Percentage: Up to 25% 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 provides leadership to center staff as requested by the Child Development Specialist and/or Director. Provides supervision to center staff in the absence of the Center Child Development Specialist. Works with center staff to ensure that Center services are meeting participant needs. Reports directly to the Program Administrator. Tracks and orders 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 to input data, enroll, document, and track services for children and families. Submits 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. Leads or co-leads 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 intake interviews to determine eligibility of families for the program and maintains a waiting list. Assists in 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. Provides 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. Identifies community partners and schedules required preliminary health screenings of all Early Head Start children. Advocates for child health issues and services and assists in the evaluation of the effectiveness of the health service component. Acts as a liaison to the health community and advocates for parents regarding health issues. Collects 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 to 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 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 completing the Family Strength and Needs Assessment to determine family strengths and identify goals. Conducts at least two 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. Works with staff to involve parents in all aspects of Early Head Start, including education, health and social service components, and educates them on parents’ roles and needs. Attends training and conducts a formal parenting curriculum for enrolled families; Circle of Security or Nurturing Parenting Program. Provides 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 and 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 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 Willing to support classrooms as needed, covering lunches, breaks, teacher absences as directed. Trained in and competent in understanding and implementing trauma-informed care philosophy and principles. Assists the Program Administrator in representing the mission and interests 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. Maintains 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 or 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. Qualifications Associate’s Degree in Human Services, or related field, and 3 years of related experience required. Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, or related field, and 1 year of related experience preferred. 1 year experience in a supervisory position preferred. Willing to obtain 90 Hour Childcare Certification + 45 Hour Infant/Toddler Certification within 6 months of hire. Willing to complete the Family Services Credential within 18 months of hire as a condition of employment, if necessary. Demonstrated skills in gathering, organizing, and integrating information. Demonstrated skills in outreach and knowledge of basic community resources for children and families. Demonstrated abilities in basic reading, writing and arithmetic skills. Demonstrated abilities in effective verbal and written communication. Ability to communicate effectively with children and adults. Ability to follow directions. Ability to develop linkages with the community. Ability to organize and facilitate group activities. Demonstrated commitment through participation in ongoing training necessary for the execution of job responsibilities. Physical and Environmental Requirements Primarily indoor work. Medium work: lifting up to 50 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects up to 25 pounds. #J-18808-Ljbffr ST VINCENT DE PAUL OF BALTIMORE INC