Family Advocate

Department: Head Start and Children's Services

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Dorchester Head Start

Compensation: $21.93 - $28.62 / hour

Description

Key Responsibilities

• Welcome families into the program and share information about transitioning into Head Start.
• Ensure families are full partners in their own and their children’s development and learning by helping families develop and reach realistic and achievable long and short term goals.
• Engage families in assessing their needs and strengths, and supporting them in taking actions to reach their goals.
• Monitor progress on Family Partnership goals for all assigned families. 
• Promote partnership and maintain relationships with families through ongoing frequent communication including but not limited to phone calls, group activity, home visits, informal contacts and classroom visits.
• Provide assistance to families in addressing challenges by discussing issues and/or linking them to community resources, including but not limited to mental illness, substance abuse, housing, employment, disabilities, family violence, etc. that affect their well-being.
• Prepare and distribute follow up containing information to assist families in a timely manner. 
• Assist with all transitions of child and family. 
• Promote family literacy. 
• Work with parents to establish and maintain regular attendance for their child. 
• Make family home visits to conduct family interviews, identify needs and refer families to the appropriate Head start staff and/or outside agencies.

• Provide support in parent engagement and planning activities.
• Assist and participate in recruitment efforts/activities along with ERSEA Specialist. 
• Participate and help facilitate parent orientations to the program. 
• Join and assist in parent meetings in order to support parents in the leadership role. 
• Actively encourage parents to participate in the program, including fatherhood engagement initiatives.  Provide content for parent newsletter, calendar, memo and flyers as needed. 
• Advocate and collaborate with community agencies to support child, family and outcomes. 
• Collaborate with other component staff and specialists including but not limited to medical, dental, speech, nutrition, mental health, special needs, etc. to arrange referrals and follow-up as needed. 

• Maintain attendance of children enrolled in the program through database system used by the agency.
• Maintain and document on-going contact with families. 
• Provide information relative to Head Start health and nutrition requirements: support families in completing vaccination, physical, dental and nutrition screenings and document in database system. 
• Document and track follow-up needs, Family Partnership Goals, health, dental, nutrition, hearing and vision concerns. 
• Document all parent contacts and home visits in database system used by the agency. 
• Document support consultation to teachers regarding particular concerns with families at scheduled meetings. 
• Maintain up to date records of all assigned families through documentation and database system used by the agency.

• Assist with administrative needs as requested.
• Attend required meetings, trainings on and off site. 
• Perform other related duties as assigned from time to time.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Demonstrated knowledge of and sensitivity to the educational and socioeconomic needs of the children and families served.
• The skill to deal with sensitive family situations in a non-threatening and professional manner.
• Behave in a professional manner.
• Knowledge of early childhood education and intervention preferred.
• Keyboarding skills, computer literacy and familiarity with various applications such as database, word processing, e-mail and internet.
• Ability to set and maintain professional boundaries with staff and families.
• Engage in ongoing staff development to expand professional skills.
• Successful experience in working as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication as well as interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of neighborhoods served by program and city-wide services relevant to the programs population. 
• Proven ability to keep accurate written records and documentation. 
• Possess the ability to work with culturally diverse low-income population. 
• Attend and participate in community activities, training, and night meetings as needed. 
• Possess bilingual ability where appropriate.  Translates as necessary or when needed.
• Maintain knowledge of all federal, state, city and program laws, regulations, standards and policies.

• Frequent significant decisions and problem solving abilities.
• Ability to work as a team member collaborating with coworkers, parents and community resources.
• Frequent traveling for home visits and off site trainings.
• Regular kneeling, bending and sitting on the floor to attend to child’s needs.
• Lift and move infant to preschool age children.
• Lift items based on program administration needs.
• Must be able to work independently without intensive supervision.
• Must be able to balance and prioritize work load and have strong time management skills.

• Engage in ongoing staff development to expand professional skills.
• Maintain professional boundaries in relationships with staff and families.
• Maintain confidentiality of child and family information at all times.

Why Work Here

• Make a Difference: Every day, your work directly impacts the lives of thousands in the Greater Boston community, empowering them and making positive, lasting change.
• Inclusive Environment: ABCD values the diversity of its workforce, with an inclusive culture that respects individuality and promotes collaboration.
• Continuous Learning: We offer numerous training and development opportunities, ensuring our staff remain at the forefront of community action methodologies and strategies.
• Comprehensive Benefits: At ABCD, we take care of our own, providing a competitive benefits package, including health coverage and retirement plans.
• A Legacy of Impact: Join an organization that boasts a legacy spanning over half a century, consistently championing the rights and needs of our community's most vulnerable.
• Teamwork & Camaraderie: Be a part of a passionate team, united in their mission to combat poverty, and ensure every individual can reach their fullest potential.