SCHS - Family Advocate (Closes 01-22-10, or Untill Filled)

TITLE: Family Advocate
SALARY: Level V
SUPERVISED BY: Area Manager
STAFF SUPERVISED: None
HOURS WORKED: 30 to 40 hrs/week seasonal

POSITION PURPOSE: Providing site staff with Social Service guidance; provide to assigned classrooms direct services in social service/parent involvement area; serve as 2-way communication link between program administration and direct service providers; recruitment of families; community liaison.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Recruitment (10%)

Assist staff in filling classroom vacancies throughout the year until March 31.
- Use waiting lists to fill vacancies as necessary (by class area)
- Facilitate community - specific recruitment efforts.
Assist administrative staff with class placement.
- Evaluate child/family needs and preference
- Assist in forming class lists.
- Assist bus driver in planning transportation routes.

Time at sites (25%)

Minimum of 4 hours each week at classroom site:
- To allow parents access to family advocate
- To ideally arrange same time each week for consistency

Home Visits (30%)

Complete required Home Visits for families with documentation in file and database, focusing on the following:
- Family Information Survey, goal-setting and Family Partnership Agreements.
- Assist families in arranging and accessing required exams and screenings for their Head Start children and track all contacts/attempts.
- Provide and discuss entire Parent Program Guide at first family Home Visit.
- Provide and discuss community resources and their utilization.
- Document services through contact records, FIS and FPA. Track referrals and needed follow-up utilizing the database.
- In concert with teaching team, assist as needed in blood-borne pathogens and personal safety curriculum discussions with parents.

Debrief (5%)

Regular monitoring meetings with each separate classroom team and a component coordinator to assist in identifying concerns of families and making appropriate referrals to component coordinators and community resources.
Documentation of these meetings will be by debriefing notebook - kept by component coordinators at HS Administrative office.
In coordination with team: assist in component integration of family, child, and program needs/expectations.

Parent Involvement (20%)

Parent meetings
- Share the responsibility with teaching staff and parents in planning and implementing monthly parent meetings on such topics as:
- > Program planning
- > Trainings as indicated by assessed needs and interests
- > Community resources
- Facilitate documentation of agendas, minutes, and attendance to be kept on site.
- Submit in-kind for parent meetings to administrative office.
Parent education opportunities
- Assess family needs and interests in order to prepare Parent Education Plan for site.
- Facilitate training opportunities.
- Assist families in accessing available trainings.
- Supervise TAP Assistants as assigned.
Assist center staff and families in planning and implementing at least two Family Fun Days per site.
Maintain communication with Family Services Coordinator and Family Service Center Specialists.

Crisis Intervention (10%)

Beyond minimum HV, may provide crisis intervention/follow-up utilizing work plan guidelines and crisis intervention policy.

Child Abuse Reporting Policy & Prevention (on-going)

To see that each family receives information on agency policy & prevention guidelines.
Follow agency procedures as mandated child abuse reporter.
Play Groups (those trained may participate in play groups)

Other

Maintain a positive attitude regarding the Head Start program and philosophy.
Model behaviors that demonstrate an understanding, acceptance and welcoming of diversity.

*Perform other jobs as designated by your supervisor, Project Director or Agency Director. Employee may occasionally be asked to work alternate hours and days.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Bachelor Degree plus two years experience in a field directly related to the position description is required.
Previous experience working with low income families
Previous paid experience in Head Start preferred
Experience working with adults

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Geographic Area: Coos and Curry Counties.
Physically able to perform essential job responsibilities.
May lift items up to 51 pounds with or without reasonable accommodations.
Regular attendance is a requirement of the position.

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION: Performance will be evaluated by the supervisor based on the input from appropriate staff relative to: attitude, skills and knowledge. All employees’ formal evaluation will be conducted in the winter.

New Employee or New Position (first two years of either) performance goals will be set in the fall and reviewed/updated before the end of the program year.

OTHER:

A current Oregon Driver’s License is required
A good driving record is necessary
Proof of automobile liability insurance
Reliable transportation
Must be drug-free
Must be able to pass mandated Oregon Employment Department Child Care Division Criminal History Registry Background Check
First Aid/CPR certification
Health Appraisal
Able to drive long distances
Ability to sit at meetings for as long as four hours at a time.
Ability to work in excess of eight hours per day and during evenings as required.

SIGNATURES & DATES - The following signatures are required to confirm the accuracy and completeness of the Job Description; that essential functions are aligned with organization goals and objectives; to validate that it is clear, concise and supports compliance with legal considerations; and employee understanding of the job requirements. NOTE: Because jobs change, management reserves the right to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

NOTE: The specific statements reflected in each section of this position description are not intended to be all-inclusive, but rather the basic elements and criteria considered necessary in order to satisfactorily perform the duties associated with the position.