Urgently Require Head Start Family Advocate - Drager Site in Michigan
Job title: Head Start Family Advocate - Drager Site
Company: Lenawee Intermediate School District
Job description: Responsible for working in a collaborative effort to provide direct and indirect case management services for the families of children ages birth to five; such services include utilizing relationship based practice with a systems approach. This includes but is not limited to coordination and promotion of parent education, parent/child wellness, and age appropriate development.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
The Head Start Family Advocate reports to the Family Engagement Assistant Manager or designee.
QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The following is a list of qualifications for the position, any one of which may be waived by the Board in exercising its prerogative to determine qualifications.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES * Must have regular, reliable and punctual attendance.
- Participate in and provide support for the recruitment, enrollment, and attendance of eligible children and families to ensure continuous full enrollment.
- Develop an understanding and awareness of community agencies/organizations that provide services to preschool age children and their families.
- Assist parents in establishing and working towards goals for their children and family.
- Provide service coordination/case management, referral and follow-up services to address child and family needs through regular communication including home visits, center visits, phone calls, and letters.
- Conduct screening and/or follow up of young children?s development, health, nutrition, and mental health needs within timelines.
- Maintain and communicate accurate data and information on children and families.
- Provide parent education on various topics which may include but are not limited to age appropriate development, age appropriate discipline techniques, potty training, behavioral issues, safety planning, etc.
- Promote the engagement of families with an emphasis on father/father-figure involvement in all aspects of children?s education and program services.
- Provide support coverage and other duties in the classroom, as needed.
- Attend meetings and program functions, as assigned.
- Complete Trauma Certification per program requirements and other trainings as requested.
- Provide home visits with families as directed and as identified by family?s needs.
- Coordinate and conduct family group events that promote positive family interactions, family learning, etc. including Family Events, Parent Committees or other group events as necessary.
- Maintain positive relationships with staff, parents, program volunteers, and outside agencies.
- Develops and maintains working relationships with peers to promote a positive work culture.
- Participate in and provide support for the recruitment of eligible children and families to ensure continuous full enrollment.
- Actively assist the program in reaching non-federal share/match (in kind) goals, in accordance with federal guidelines.
- Maintains confidentiality.
- Follows all Program, Board, and Policy Council policies, procedures, state laws and regulations, Head Start Performance Standards, and Michigan Child Care Licensing rules.
- Provide support to other positions as required.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Director.
- One year experience of case management (may include social work practicum/internship experience with case management responsibilities)
- Early Childhood Education experience and/or training, preferred.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish), preferred.
- One year experience working with at risk and diverse populations.