JOB FUNCTION:

The Family Advocate is responsible for coordinating, collaborating, and facilitating the effective delivery of Social Services and Parent Involvement to Head Start children, families, and staff in accordance with NJ/PA licensing regulations and Head Start Performance Standards.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Responsible for the recruitment, enrollment, and daily attendance of eligible Head Start children and families including the following: maintaining an open-door policy for walk-ins, purposeful home visits, and active in-person contacts with the community.
2. Responsible for developing a partnership with families including the following: assessing needs, developing a Family Partnership Agreement, home visits, connecting families with resources to meet needs, collaborate with other agencies and departments to ensure easy access to resources, and be an advocate for improving the quality of life.
3. Responsible for maintaining accurate, organized, confidential up-to-date records including the following: monitoring and documenting health status of children (immunizations, physical, health tracking instrument), conduct or set up screenings, submit monthly reports and Program Information Reports, compile and maintain an up-to-date community resource directory.
4. Ensures the safety of all children by participating in monitoring of center, implementation of child safety procedures, reporting accidents, reporting child abuse or neglect, following Standards of Conduct and reporting any child health/safety concern to supervisor
5. Responsible for family, parent, and volunteer involvement including: attending, recruiting for, and supporting parent committee meetings and activities; assisting/conducting parent orientation; promote and coordinate participation of volunteers in the center; facilitate open communication between staff, parents, and the community; notify parents of changes in procedure, routine, or activity.
6. Responsible for participating in trainings and staff meetings through sharing ideas, information, and striving for professional self-development.
7. Responsible for coordinating or conducting health related activities for children and parents
8. Responsible for performing other duties as needed in the center, to promote teamwork.

Qualifications:

1. Must have a minimum of an Associate’s degree in a related field, OR have a high school diploma or GED, along with 15 college credits, AND complete the Family Development Credential with 18 months of hire
2. Must have a car on a daily basis and a valid driver’s license.
3. Must read and write sufficiently to maintain proper records
4. Must have skills in data entry and Microsoft Excel