Family Advocate

Overview

  • DATES OF POSTING: 09.01.23 – 09.08.23, Thereafter, open until filled.
  • NUMBER OF POSITIONS: 1
  • POSITION: Head Start Family Advocate
  • BARGAINING UNIT POSITION: Yes, Union Position (Union dues are currently $20.22 bi-weekly, after successful completion of orientation period).
  • LOCATIONS: Barre-HS/Berlin
  • PROGRAM: Head Start
  • SCHEDULE: Full-time Regular
  • CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt (hourly)
  • WAGE: $17.63 - $23.99, depending on education and experience
  • MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: See Job Description

Capstone Community Action is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider. Applications from women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people from diverse cultural backgrounds are encouraged.

Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

Send cover letter and resume to: jobs@capstonevt.org

Job Description

  • Program: Head Start
  • Job Title: Family Advocate 
  • Pay Grade: 2
  • Last Review Date/Update/Change of Job Description: 6/1/2023

A. General Statement: The family advocate supports parents to assess family needs, strengths, and interests and assists parents to set child and family goals and access community services. The family partner works in a peer relationship with home visitors and classroom teaching staff. The family partner is supervised by the team manager and is responsible to the team manager and content area managers.

B. Essential Functions:

  • Participate as a team member in the recruitment of families in all options. Maintain full enrollment and a wait list.
  • In conjunction with team managers, schedule and oversee the enrollment selection process. Notify parents of the enrollment selection outcome. Oversee classroom attendance, enrollment requirements and the completion of monthly enrollment data reports.
  • Support and implement the Professionals’ Code of Ethical Conduct and the Positive Guidance Policy of the program. Maintain confidentiality of all Head Start child and family information.
  • Assist parents with children enrolled in classroom options to complete and maintain childcare financial assistance program requirements when applicable. Prepare local information for the program’s childcare financial assistance reports.
  • Assist and work in collaboration with classroom teachers to ensure that the 45-day health requirements are met. Serve as the point person for each office for database development and data entry for those children and families enrolled in classroom options. Keep data entry current.
  • Provide all families with children enrolled in any Head Start or Early Head Start classroom a minimum of three home visits on an annual basis, including an orientation before the enrolled child enters the classroom or center. The actual number and duration of home visits may vary in response to family needs and program options. Home visits will focus on involving parents in identifying and achieving child and family goals. Maintain confidentiality of all Head Start child and family information.
  • Provide resources and referrals to services in response to parents’ goals and needs. Provide support to parents in carrying out plans, including coordination of childcare and transportation. Develop and maintain a centrally located local resource file and establish links with other community agencies and services. Serve as a resource to home-based staff.
  • Develop parent activities/training related to program content areas as requested by parents or as needed. Ensure that parents have access to support groups based on parent interests. In conjunction with other local staff, complete a parent training and activity budget for the service area. Work with the other family partners to develop parent training events. Attend parent meetings, family outings, classroom activities or other events as scheduled with the team manager. Serve as the point person for the service area newsletter.
  • Perform record keeping which includes documentation of visits, Family Needs Assessment and goal setting and other data to track parent involvement and progress.
  • Participate in professional development and collaborative activities including pre-service and monthly in-service trainings and basic staffing teams. Participate in inter-program and interagency team activities in accordance with job expectations. Meet with team manager monthly to review work, goals, and professional development. Develop an individual professional development plan annually. Promote Head Start and Capstone positively and proactively in the community and at meetings and initiatives.
  • Other duties as assigned.

C. Other Duties as Assigned

D. Qualifications:

  • Minimum of a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling or a related field or enrolled in a credential or certification program to be completed within eighteen months of hire. Willingness to enroll in a program that will lead to an associate or baccalaureate degree in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field. Experience strongly preferred.
  • Reliable, insured car. Valid driver’s license. Clean driving record required.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Excellent record keeping and organizational skills.
  • Capability to work as a team member and independently. Self-motivation. Ability to maintain a high level of professionalism.
  • Commitment to working as part of a local team and acceptance of supervision.
  • Willingness to commit to a flexible work schedule that includes some evening and weekend hours.
  • Flexibility - ability to adapt quickly and responsively to changing client needs.
  • Knowledge of community resources.
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