Head Start Family Advocate

Job Type: Regular Full Time

Location: Nanwalek

Salary: DOE $24.06

Summary:

The Head Start Family Advocate is a program-specific position. This is a part-time direct service position within the Chugachmiut Division of Administration. Under the supervision of the Site Supervisor/Center Supervisor, the Family Advocate is responsible for promoting a healthy relationship between Head Start families and their community by implementing a strengths-based approach to family services. Encourages family involvement in the Head Start program and acts as a liaison between the classroom and the home. Fosters the belief that parents are the child’s first and most important teacher. The Family Advocate works as a team member to fulfill the following responsibilities:
 

Major Responsibilities:

· Establishes partnerships with parents that are respectful, culturally sensitive, and nonjudgmental.

· Involves parents in identifying and addressing their family’s goals, strengths, and needs.

· Assists and supports parents to schedule, attend, and participate in monthly Parent Committee meetings and Parent Experiences.

· Provides a minimum of two home visits, with monthly contacts, to each family throughout the school year, providing additional home visits as needed or appropriate.

· Communicates observations, concerns, and important information about children and families with the teaching staff and management team.

· Provides support to families when health referrals are made, providing continual follow-up and documentation until services have been received.

· Develops new and strengthens existing partnerships with local, regional and state providers.

· Develops and maintains on-site community resource files.

· Documents all services provided for families.

· Participates in weekly staff meetings, regular supervisory meetings, and all required training.

· Performs other duties as assigned or required.

Education Requirements:

· Must be at least 18 years of age.

· Must pass state and federal background checks, including fingerprints.

· High School diploma or GED and experience raising/working with young children and/or parents.

· Must have, or have the ability and willingness to earn, at a minimum, a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling or a related field within 18 months of hire.

· Responsible work ethic with reliable attendance.

· Must pursue an ongoing professional development plan including formal training certification or college degree as recommended by the program.

· Must attend 15 hours of professional development training annually.

· Proven ability and willingness to be self-directed in problem solving and decision-making and perform basic assignment with little or no direct supervision while also working effectively as a team member.

Hours of Work:

 Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with one hour for lunch. Chugachmiut maintains a drug/alcohol and non-smoking work environment