Family Advocate
Douglas, WY
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Family Advocate Job Description
Job Summary:
This role is responsible for recruiting and enrolling children into the program. They will collaborate with families to assess their strengths, interests, needs, and aspirations related to family engagement outcomes. The Family Advocate works with a team of staff to address needs through interventions, referrals, and follow-up support. They help families achieve individualized engagement outcomes and establish a partnership process for goal setting, progress review, and strategy adjustments. Promotes Parent, Family, and Community Engagement activities within the center, community, and at the child’s home. Additionally, they provide individualized support in areas such as child development, health, nutrition, and school readiness. This role fosters a collaborative and supportive environment for children and families.
Duties/Responsibilities:
All duties will comply with Head Start/Early Head Start standards, DFS licensing, NAEYC guidelines, Wyoming Division of Disabilities regulations, and WCFD policies. All employees will adhere to the mission, vision, values, policies, and procedures of WCFD.
Recruit children for the program in compliance with guidelines set by the Department of Health and Human Services and Wyoming Child and Family Development, Inc.
Conduct a minimum of four family visits per year, with two scheduled in the child’s home, to assess family strengths and needs and identify solutions.
Foster positive parent-child relationships and facilitate connections to peers and the community.
Assist participants with resources to improve family well-being and maintain contact with community agencies.
Understand the impact of trauma on participants, supporting their health, healing, resilience, and well-being.
Establish and maintain secure child and family records in ChildPlus, ensuring all data is accurate and complete.
Keep data current in ChildPlus, including Family Partnership Goals, health screenings, and notes.
Organize and facilitate family engagement activities, parent meetings, and trainings with input from families.
Support parent participation in Parent Group, Policy Council, and other leadership or advocacy efforts on behalf of children and Head Start.
Encourage family and community member participation in children’s education through volunteering and engagement.
Ensure completion of health screenings (hearing, vision, development) for all children, maintaining accurate individual health records in ChildPlus.
Work with educational staff to address children’s medical and oral health needs, making referrals and assisting with follow-up care.
Inform staff of health or social service needs and collaborate to address them.
Help families secure medical and oral health homes, schedule appointments, arrange transportation, and assist with obtaining health insurance.
Promote family engagement and ensure it is central to the program’s approach to partnering with families.
Assist families during the transition to the next educational setting.
Ensure ability to perform job functions safely, with or without reasonable accommodations.
Attend all required training sessions and meetings.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Board or its designee.
Required Skills/Abilities:
Must be able to work well with children (ages 0 through 5 years of age), including those with special needs, and their families.
Proficient in engaging a diverse range of families, fathers, partners, grandparents, and any significant figures in a child’s education.
Ability to identify and understand the needs of others, including children and families.
Skilled in interacting with and engaging both children and adults in a positive manner.
Knowledgeable about community resources and services, or able to acquire this knowledge, to provide families with relevant information and referrals to address their needs and challenges.
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with families, staff, and the community.
Strong stress management skills and the ability to handle challenging situations effectively.
Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to adjust to changing daily routines and priorities as needed.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Proficient in stress management and maintaining a calm, organized approach in a fast-paced environment.
Education and Experience:
Prefer an Associates or Baccalaureate in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field.
Staff must have within 18 months of hire, at a minimum, a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling or a related field. An equivalent certification is provided by WCFD.
WCFD will only accept college degrees from accredited institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Must attain additional training or certifications, which may be required by Wyoming Child and Family Development, Inc.
Physical Requirements:
Reasonable accommodations can be made for persons with disabilities. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
Ability to read technical materials for extended periods of time.
Ability to sit, stand, or walk for long periods without fatigue or discomfort.
Must be able to travel to various sites, meetings, and training sessions, both in-state and out-of-state.
Must be willing to drive safely in a variety of weather conditions.
Capable of hearing and processing both in-person and telephone conversations.
Must be able to work in a variety of temperatures, including hot and cold weather.
Ability to work in air-conditioned buildings and under fluorescent lighting.
Must be able to climb stairs, stoop, kneel, crouch and/or reach, to retrieve materials and supplies from ground level to a height of at least 5 ft.
Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
Must be able to assist children in emergency situations and provide first aid when needed.