Family Advocate

Family Advocate

At Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches, we believe every family deserves stability, dignity, and the opportunity to thrive. For more than four decades, we've worked to strengthen our community by providing housing, support, and hope to families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. When you join our team, you become part of a mission-driven organization that shows up every day to help families build brighter, more secure futures.

The Family Advocate role centers on empowering individuals and families to achieve long-term housing stability and self-sufficiency. The position combines direct client services, advocacy, data management, and community engagement to ensure clients receive comprehensive, coordinated support.

The Family Advocate conducts assessments, develops individualized action plans, and provides ongoing coaching to help clients overcome barriers, strengthen financial and problem-solving skills, and access essential community resources. The role requires strong interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and the ability to build trust with diverse populations.

Essential Functions:

• Complete initial assessments with clients to obtain information about their family situation and determine if they meet preliminary programmatic guidelines
• Complete full intakes with clients to assess needs, strengths, barriers, and resources that could positively impact housing stability. Formulate and assist clients in implementing Family Action Plans that specify goals and actions to be taken by caseworker and client to help the family on the road to self-sufficiency
• Advocate for clients with landlords, employers, creditors, community partners, etc., and teach clients to advocate for themselves
• Teach budgeting skills to clients as needed and develop and monitor short and long-term budgeting goals
• Teach problem solving skills to clients who demonstrate the need for such services and teach clients to access community resources on their own
• Conduct follow-up phone calls at least once a month and home visits at least once a quarter in order to review action plans, budgets, program goals and objectives
• Make appropriate referrals to other agencies to help clients gain access to additional services they may need
• Assist in completing applications for mainstream benefits as needed
• Assist with intakes and front desk coverage when needed

Information Management:

• Keep accurate, up-to-date case notes on all clients including (but not limited to): contact dates, content, follow ups, referrals, and relevant forms
• Enter all client data accurately and in a timely manner to the HMIS database
• Provide data for quarterly and bi-annual reports as required by your supervisor by the indicated deadline

Community Relations:

• Advocate on behalf of and with clients to landlords, employers, creditors, community agencies, etc.
• Attend community meetings and events that benefit the program and further the agency's mission

Training and Development:

• Participate in scheduled meetings with your supervisor to discuss client progress and quality assurance of services
• Participate actively in all agency staff meetings, team meetings and collaborative projects to support organizational goals and build professional skills
• Understand and follow clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations to contribute effectively to departmental success
• Take initiative in learning new tasks and responsibilities that support team operations and build confidence in independent work
• Seek out opportunities for coaching, mentorship, and constructive feedback to support personal growth and career development
• Participate in professional development opportunities such as webinars, certifications, or cross-training within the organization
• All other duties as assigned

Requirements:

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in social work or related field
• One (1) year experience in the social work field working with homeless/at-risk families is desired
• Knowledge of community agencies that provide social services, and special needs resources to the target population is desired
• Knowledge of the needs of homeless and low-income families
• Familiarity with local support groups and agencies that provide services is desired
• Exceptional computer skills and the ability to learn new applications quickly; proficiency with Microsoft programs (i.e. Word, Excel, SharePoint, and Outlook)
• Knowledge of HMIS and/or the ability to learn different software applications and client databases quickly
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Must have excellent people skills and the ability to foster a positive environment
• Ability to adapt and embrace to agency culture
• Must show initiative, be willing to accept new challenges, and champion change within departments
• Must be adaptable, able to manage changing priorities, and meet deadlines

Work Environment/Schedule:

Full-time Monday through Friday. Occasional weekends may be required

Compensation:

$21 to $23 per hour (depending on experience)

Our Benefits Package:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off, including vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays
• Retirement Plan Options with employer match (if applicable)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for confidential counseling and support
• Professional Development Opportunities to help you grow in your career
• Flexible Work Schedules for eligible positions
• Mileage or Travel Reimbursement for approved work-related travel
• Additional wellness, recognition, or mission specific perks depending on role

Our Culture & Values:

At Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches, our culture is rooted in compassion, dignity, and an unwavering belief in the potential of every family we serve. We show up each day with purpose — to provide stability, hope, and opportunity to families experiencing or at risk of homelessness — and we support one another with the same care we extend to our community.

We value collaboration and teamwork, knowing that meaningful change happens when people work together. Our staff bring diverse perspectives, talents, and lived experiences, and we honor that diversity as a source of strength. We foster an environment where every voice is respected, ideas are welcomed, and learning is continuous.

Integrity guides our decisions, accountability shapes our actions, and empathy fuels our mission. Whether we are working directly with families, supporting programs behind the scenes, or strengthening partnerships across the community, we lead with heart and professionalism. When you join our team, you become part of a supportive, mission driven organization that believes in lifting families up — and lifting each other up along the way.

Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Employment with Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches is at will. This means that either the employee or the organization may end the employment relationship at any time and for any lawful reason.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of required background screenings. This may include verification of employment and education history, reference checks, criminal background checks and a review of credit history as permitted by applicable law. Certain positions within our organization require a Florida Level II Background Check, including fingerprinting and screening through state and federal databases, in accordance with Florida Statute 435.04. All screenings are conducted in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations, and results are kept strictly confidential. Applicants who do not meet the screening requirements may be disqualified from employment.

By applying, you affirm that all information provided is true, complete, and accurate. Any false, misleading, or omitted information may result in disqualification from consideration or termination of employment.

Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches maintains a drug free workplace. Candidates may be required to complete pre-employment drug testing in accordance with applicable laws and organizational policy.