Family Advocate

Job Description

Job Description

Title : Family Advocate

Reports To : Family Services Coordinator

Department : Children and Family Services

Location : Richmond, CA

Schedule : Monday through Friday 

Travel : Local travel may be required 

Employee Status : Regular, Full-Time, Non-Exempt 

Union : This position is represented by SEIU Local 1021. Compensation and salary advancement are determined by the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement, including eligible seniority increases at five (5) and ten (10) years of service.

Supervises : N/A

Benefits

Three weeks of paid vacation a year, sick time, 14 holidays, based on employment status, medical and dental benefits on the first of the month following 30 days of employment, life insurance policy at no cost to employees (with the option of increasing policy amount), flexible spending account for medical and dependent care costs, commuter benefits, 403(b) with employer match, and other benefits. We foster a joyful workplace and offer opportunities for professional development and growth.

Agency Summary 

The Unity Council is a non-profit Social Equity Development Corporation with an over 60-year history in the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland. Our mission is to promote social equity and improve quality of life by building vibrant communities where everyone can work, learn, and thrive. 

Our programs aim to provide the community with the tools, knowledge, and resources to transform their lives and ultimately achieve their long-term educational, career, and financial goals. These holistic programs and services reach more than 10,000 individuals and families annually in five languages. Programs include early childhood education, youth mentorship and leadership development, employment services, career readiness training, housing and financial stability, senior citizen services, affordable housing and neighborhood development, and arts and cultural events. Our work expands beyond the Fruitvale district and now reaches across Oakland and into Contra Costa County. The Unity Council employs a diverse workforce of more than 300 people who reflect the linguistic, cultural, and ethnic identity of the communities we serve. 

Department Summary

The Children and Family Services programs include Head Start, Early Head Start, State Pre-Kindergarten, Home Based Services, and Developmental Play Groups. Over 900 children birth through kindergarten entry and 32 expectant parents and their families receive child development and comprehensive family services through the Unity Council. The programs are diverse, multilingual, developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive, and individualized for each child and family services are provided in seven centers and one home-based program throughout Oakland and Contra Costa County.

Position Summary

Family Advocate assists with enrollments, conducts family interviews and assesses family needs and strengths. This position establishes and maintains an accurate service record for each family. The family advocate interviews families to identify interests, concerns, services, strengths and refers families to community service providers. Family Advocates assist families with transition planning.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Assist and support the Family and Community Partnerships Coordinator in ascertaining comprehensive service needs and in identifying family strengths to help in meeting those needs, and providing resource and referrals to meet comprehensive family services in accordance with the Family Needs Assessment and Individualized Family Partnership Agreement to the assigned case load;
• Conduct Family Needs Assessment, including appropriate follow-up;
• Conduct Transition Plans for HS and EHS Families and assist with children's transitions
• Maintain a case load of up to 60 families;
• Perform all Enrollment and intake including HS and State Applications (CCTR and CSPP) eligibility applications; using NOHO and Child Plus platforms, including the retrieval of physical and dental forms from families or providers.
• Ensure all compliance dates for (30/45/60/90 days) all relevant enrollment, program and transition (plans) forms are completed within the appropriate timeline;
• Maintain a weekly log (CP) of all family contacts;
• Work to support families with the appropriate referral and facilitate the transfer and submission of referrals; 
• Ensure all IFPAs are followed up and progress is documented monthly;
• Conduct Home Visits as needed;
• Keep contact documentation on the families through Event charting;
• Create Monthly Parent Calendars and Fliers;
• Participate in providing presentations on HS/EHS enrollment to external partners;
• Provide relevant thematic training sessions for families during parent committee meetings and additional seminars for families. Including the delivery of Abriendo Puertas and/or Circle of Security;
• Enter all relevant family information including daily attendance into Child Plus system and CDMIS;
• Attend monthly case conferences and regular staff meetings; parent meetings; policy council meetings as needed;
• Enter attendance daily, within the first hour of the child starting and monitor child's ADA to ensure the child does not fall below the 85% attendance threshold;
• Contact and follow up with families who are falling delinquent in attendance and create an attendance and improvement plan;
• Work with the Education team on triaging any attendance or family needs that results from observations, requests or parent concerns; 
• Ongoing outreach and recruitment within service area, including weekly events, fairs, resource venues, special events;
• Attend all in-house training and where possible attend assigned subject area conferences;
• Must ensure that the Family Development Credential is completed in the first 12 months of employment;
• Work in coordination with Education on Transition plans, both internally and externally;
• Work in collaboration w DIS/MH on IEP/IFSP and case conference(s);
• Participate in weekly reflective supervision meetings with supervisors;
• Perform additional duties as assigned by supervisor or management.

Qualifications

• AA/BA in Social Service area preferred but not required (Psychology, Sociology, or related field) or family. development credential (FDC) or relevant social services background (willing to obtain FDC credential within 18 months);
• Minimum of one year's experience working with low-income children and families.
• Bilingual Spanish/English preferred.
• A caring, compassionate approach to working with children and families.
• Ability to work harmoniously in a multi-cultural team.
• Awareness of safe lifting techniques for lifting children, supplies and furnishings and commitment to using preventive health measures in the classroom to prevent the spread of disease.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able climb stairs, reach, bend, lift 20-30 pounds, crawl, kneel, stoop, twist, grasp with hands and fingers materials, use arms and legs, able to walk, climb ladders if applicable. 
• Regularly required to sit for long periods of time, and occasionally stand and walk; 
• Regularly required to use hands to operate computer and other office equipment; 
• Close vision required for computer use.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Physical exam 
• TB test 
• Background/fingerprint clearance 
• MMR and Tdap vaccinations, 
• CPR 
• Child Abuse Mandated Reporter Training

*** Please submit your cover letter and resume. ***

The Unity Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer.