Family Advocate

Early Head Start-Child Care (EHS-CC) Family Advocate

Department: Early Childhood Services

Location: Brooklyn, NY

Reports To: Early Head Start-Child Care (EHS-CC) Family Services Coordinator

Salary Range: $41,611 - $43,232 (annually); benefits include medical, dental, vision, prescription, life insurance, 401K plan, 24 vacation days per year and personal and sick time-off.

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am - 4pm, or 9am - 5pm. Schedule may vary due to program needs.

Job Summary

Responsible for carrying out the Parent, Family, & Community Engagement (PFCE) components of the program in connection with partner's School Readiness Goals (SRG), & areas of Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment & Attendance (ERSEA) to ensure high quality service delivery in accordance with local, state, & federal regulations. Required to spend 80% field work and 20% planning/record keeping/training.

Education, Experience and Requirements

• AA degree in social work, human services, family services, counseling or related field, or
• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, human services, family services, counseling or a related field
• Experience working with families of children from birth to 36 months.
• Demonstrated knowledge of community resources & how to access services for children & families.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team & independently in the field.
• Meet all employee health requirements in Head Start Performance Standards (revised 2016)/Head Start Act 2007.
• Bilingual (fluent in English/Spanish) Preferred.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Successfully clear; NYS DOI Fingerprint Screening, NYS Central Registry Clearance, Sex Offender Registry Clearance, three (3) reference checks, physical examination with updated TB test, Tdap, MMR, varicella (fees may apply).
• Meet all employee health requirements in Article 47 (DOHMH) and Head Start performance standards.
• Mandated Reporter training certificate (every 2 years) and comply with agency's policy and procedure regarding identification and reporting of child abuse and neglect.
• Obtain First Aid/CPR and Preventive infectious diseases certificate within the first year of employment.
• If hired, Grand Street requires all potential employees to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination and booster.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with partner staff & GSS manager/leadership team to provide ongoing comprehensive services to enrolled children & families in alignment with Head Start Performance Standards/Head Start Act 2007
• Implement Trauma Informed services and integrate practices when working with families.
• Case Management & support for families – program center based & family child care partners; data entry management & reporting, planning & follow up for delivery of services including appropriate & timely referrals for mental health, crisis intervention, health/nutrition, employment, & education/literacy.
• Implement the parent engagement curriculum
• Work closely with families to build trusting relationships; to develop & progress towards meeting goals; motivate & inspire families to participate & be involved in their child's education; & demonstrate the ability to measure individual & overall impact.
• Participate in home visits for all assigned children & families as needed.
• Develop & maintain working relationships with community agencies & act as a liaison to support families in alignment with FPA, PFCE, & SRG.
• Support Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, & Attendance (ERSEA) efforts of partners for eligible participants to ensure full enrollment of EHS-CC Partnership slots and help with recruitment of families.
• Assist in the planning & facilitation of parent involvement activities & events.

How To Apply

Please submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position you are applying for. If selected, we ask that you also provide us with three (3) professional references that we can contact (at least one (1) professional reference should be from a former supervisor). No phone calls, please. Please be advised that job offers can only be made once your clearances come through! Equal opportunity employer (EOE).