Family Advocate

Family Advocate-Part Time

1. POSITION SUMMARY: This position provides case management activities to families enrolled in the Head Start program to ensure that they are all fully integrated into the program and that their needs are being met. The position is also responsible for facilitating parent group/grandparent group meetings to engage and encourage parent participation and engagement in the program.
2. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
3. Completes Family Assessment and assists families with setting goals during the Family Partnership Agreement. Completes follow up periodically to measure progress of goals.
4. Works with families to obtain information needed such as but not limited to: health records, consent forms, and any needed follow up treatment.
5. Completes home visits with families as needed.
6. Documents all case management activities into an online program specific database and ensures children's files are up to date as per program policies.
7. Assists families with advocacy such as attending IEP/IFSP meetings and parent meetings.
8. Facilitates parent/grandparent meetings on a monthly basis at location and encourages parent, family, and community engagement activities.
9. Organizes recruitment activities for children and families to become familiar with the program.
10. Completes a face-to-face intake including income verification for families applying for the program.
11. Completes and submits required documentation and reports according to the Activity Calendar.
12. Maintains a knowledge of the community (s) and area resources and refers families for any needed services and advocates for the family in securing services. Attends interagency/community meetings to inform others on services offered by Head Start and to stay current on available resources for families.
13. Complies and is familiar with the requirements of the policies and procedures adopted by Southern Seven Health Department as required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

III. TRAINING COMPONENT: Participants in continuing education and staff development through coaching, seminars, conferences, or workshops at personal or departmental expenses.

1. ADDITONAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: All duties necessary to meet requirements of Head Start Program.
2. QUALIFICATIONS:

Education, Training and Experience:

1. Prefer a bachelor's degree in social work or an approved related (sociology, psychology, family studies, counseling, family development, family systems theory, or human services development) OR
2. At a minimum an Associate Degree in Social Work or an approved related (Sociology, psychology, family studies, counseling, family development, family systems theory, or human services development)

Pay range: $23.10-$25.47

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Effective oral and written communication skills
2. Organizational and multitasking skills
3. Demonstrates professionalism in working with families, coworkers, and other agencies
4. Initiative-taking and initiative and easily adapts to changes
5. Basic Computer Skills

Certification and Other Requirements:

1. Requirements: DCFS background/criminal check, DCFS Physical, Mandated Reporter, valid driver's license & auto liability insurance, DCFS Licensing required courses, and annual program intake training & HIPAA Training
2. Recommendations: CPR/First Aide and Hepatitis B Vaccine

Physical Requirements:

1. Lift/carry up to twenty pounds on occasion and ten pounds frequently.
2. Routine: Sit, walk, or stand for prolonged periods of time.
   1. Lift horizontally and vertically, bend and stoop, push/pull, twist, carry, crouch, squat, kneel, crawl, climb, reach above shoulder level.
   2. Hear and understand speech at normal room levels and on the telephone.
   3. Occasion: Use near visual acuity to review both written documents and text on computer monitor.
   4. Drive an automobile.
   5. Operate a telephone, keyboard, and mouse.

Current Openings for Family Advocate Jobs at Southern Seven Health Department