Family Advocate - Thelma Parks

Job Description

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY:

The Family Advocate supports the full implementation of the Head Start Program Performance Standards by building strong, trusting relationships with families and partnering with them to promote family well‑being, parent engagement, and children’s success.

This role embodies the agency’s core values collaborate as partners, compassion in action, supportive by nature, act with integrity, innovate with purpose, be community-centered, and pursue exceptional quality in every interaction with families, staff, and community partners.

Family Advocates focus on the Parent, Family, and Community Engagement (PFCE) relationship‑building work, while collaborating closely with the Health Specialist, Admissions & Enrollment Specialist, and Recruitment & Community Engagement Specialist. Family Advocates support enrollment at their assigned centers through relational and family‑facing tasks, while technical ERSEA compliance remains the responsibility of the Admissions & Enrollment Specialist.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Family Partnership & Engagement:

Build respectful, strength-based, culturally responsive relationships with families.

Conduct family assessments and develop Family Partnership Agreements (FPAs) with individualized goals and follow‑up plans.

Support families in accessing community resources, crisis assistance, and long‑term support that promote family well‑being.

Conduct required home visits (initial and annual) in collaboration with teaching staff.

Document all family contacts, goals, referrals, and progress notes in ChildPlus within required timelines.

Enrollment Support (Relational Role):

• Family Advocates support enrollment at their centers by focusing on the family experience, not ERSEA compliance.
• Welcome families during the enrollment process and help them feel comfortable and informed.
• Assist families in understanding program expectations, center routines, and available support.
• Help families gather documents when needed, while the Admissions & Enrollment Specialist handles eligibility determination, verification, and compliance.
• Provide insight into family needs or barriers that may affect enrollment or attendance.

Attendance & Family Stability:

• Monitor attendance patterns and follow up with families experiencing irregular attendance or four consecutive absences.
• Work collaboratively with families to identify barriers and develop supportive attendance plans.
• Document attendance follows‑up in ChildPlus.

Health & Comprehensive Services Collaborative:

• Partner with the Health Specialist to ensure families understand health requirements and receive needed support.
• Communicate family needs or barriers that may impact health follow‑up.
• Assist families with transportation or emergency support when needed.

(Note: The Health Specialist manages health compliance, screenings, and provider communication.)

Community Partnerships & Resource Navigation:

• Maintain knowledge of community resources and support families in accessing them.
• Collaborate with the Recruitment & Community Engagement Specialist to share updated resources and participate in community events as needed.

(Note: The specialist leads recruitment, outreach, and partnership development.)

Documentation, Confidentiality & Compliance:

• Maintain accurate, timely, confidential records in accordance with federal, state, and agency policies.
• Use data to inform family engagement strategies and continuous improvement.
• Participate in ongoing professional development, including PFCE, ERSEA awareness, health collaboration, and relationship‑based competencies.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Travel to offsite locations as required.
• Family Advocates may provide limited support to center operations only in short-term, emergency situations when child safety or program continuity requires immediate assistance. This support is: Temporary, Non-routine, not a replacement for staffing shortages, not to exceed brief periods of time, not to interfere with PFCE, documentation, or family support responsibilities.
• Family Advocates are not assigned to ongoing duties of teachers, teacher assistants, cooks, administrative assistants, or site directors. Any temporary support must be approved by the Director of Family Empowerment Programs and documented according to agency procedures.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work occurs in a licensed early childhood center serving children ages 6 weeks to 5 years (primarily ages 3–5). The role requires mobility throughout the center and occasional support in classrooms during staff shortages. Physical requirements include lifting up to 45 pounds, bending, kneeling, crouching, and reaching, moving quickly to ensure child safety, conducting home visits in a variety of environments.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate degree required OR High school diploma with at least 2 years of relevant experience (social services, early childhood, family support, or community‑based work).
• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, Family Studies, or related field preferred.
• Experience working with families in a supportive, relational capacity.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusting, strength-based relationships that reflect agency values.
• Strong communication skills and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Proficiency in technology, including ChildPlus, KidKare, and basic office software.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.