Family Advocate

4 weeks ago

Endicott, New York, United States Greater Opportunities for Broome and Chenango, Inc. Full time
Job Summary: The Family Advocate serves as a vital link between families and the Head Start program, ensuring seamless communication and collaboration. This role is responsible for carrying out policies and procedures of the FCP functional area as well as GO policies and procedures.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Recruit children for the Head Start program, complete enrollments, and follow through on all paperwork.
  • Assist families in coping with problems, make referrals to community agencies as needed.
  • Serve as a liaison between the family and the center, providing background information for other staff members as needed.
  • Assist families in obtaining medical and dental appraisals and referrals.
  • Coordinate, assist, and serve as a resource person to parent committees, attending bi-weekly team meetings.
  • Support and encourage parent involvement through the program, cooperating with other components in planning workshops and other activities for parents.
  • Implement Family & Community Partnership plan and maintain Family & Community Partnership Records.
  • Establish effective procedures to involve parents, serve as an advocate for the parent.
  • Assist in updating community resource list.
  • Know and practice Head Start goals, guidelines, and objectives.
  • Visit and observe in classroom one or two times a week.
  • Work with families representing different cultures using a culturally competent and respectful perspective.
  • Make at least 3-4 home visits a year after completion of Family Community Partnership Agreement.
  • Required to abide in confidentiality policies and procedures.
  • Attend trainings, including occasionally going out of town.
  • Maintain collaboration between HCA Family Service Worker and Head Start to complete mandated paperwork, and on-going team relationship between agencies.


Requirements:
  • Employees must complete a Family Development Credential or certification in social work, human services, family services counseling, or a related field within 18 months of hire.
  • AAS in Human Services or related field.
  • At least one year of experience working with people.
  • Valid Driver's License and personal transportation.


Physical Requirements:
  • Talking-ordinary.
  • Hearing-ordinary conversation.
  • Weight-lifting up to 50 pounds.
  • Physical Demands-climbing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, handling, pushing, repetitive arm motion.
  • Vision-acuity, near, and far.