Job Description

POSITION TITLE: Family Service Advocate

QUALIFICATIONS: Associates or Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, Social Work, Family Services or related field required with a minimum of two years training or work experience in social services, human services, family services, or providing services to children and families. Candidates, within eighteen months of hire, at a minimum, obtain a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling or a related field. Must be familiar with and adhere to the Head Start Program Performance Standards/Head Start Act, State of Virginia licensing requirements, Richmond Public Schools policies, and the EHS/Head Start Program procedures. Candidate must be able to maintain an open, friendly, and professional relationship with all staff and families, to include respect for culture, diversity and ethnicity. Must have intermediate to advanced computer skills, (i.e. creating documents/forms, database/spreadsheet knowledge etc.). Candidate must possess a valid Virginia Driver’s License and use of personal vehicle.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS: Conducts home visits with assigned families to develop mutual trust and respect. Conduct home visits to complete intake paperwork, strength based assessments, Family Partnership Agreements for every family on caseload and provide and follow-up in a timely manner. Establishes and maintains ongoing, up-to-date partnerships with community agencies to provide services to families. Link families to appropriate resources and/or referrals in the community to meet their needs and/or goals (i.e. crisis/emergency services, food, clothing, shelter, counseling, job training) and follow up in a timely manner. Collaborate with other staff to assist families in accessing health resources (i.e. insurance, medical and/or dental home, follow up treatment, etc.) to ensure that all children’s health requirements are met. Maintain accurate and timely documentation of home visits, monthly contact, Family Partnership Agreements, follow-ups, referrals, and any other services provided to the family in the program’s database system. Maintain monthly contact with each family. Monitor attendance/tardiness and follow up with any family to address on-going absences and/or tardiness. Visit assigned classroom. Maintain accurate tracking of Family Services activities involving each family. Prepares and submits weekly schedules and monthly reports in a timely manner. Provide opportunities for parents to share and receive program information through parent meetings. Assist in planning various parent engagement and education programs that are responsive to parent needs, concerns and requests, and that supports parents in their role as the primary influence in their children’s lives. Conducts outreach and recruitment efforts to inform families of the Early Head Start/Head Start Program and its requirements and participate in on-going registration. Attend local and national conference, trainings, and/or workshops as determined by Program Manager. Performs other related duties as required.

GENERAL DEFINITION AND CONDITIONS OF WORK: Provides family encouragement, advocacy, goal setting, support, and enhance parental involvement to Early Head Start/Head Start children and families. Collaborates with and assists all program service delivery areas. Work requires frequent driving, standing, sitting, walking and light lifting up to 10 pounds. Effective verbal and written communication skills for expressing or exchanging ideas, hearing to perceive information at a normal spoken word level and visual acuity for preparing and analyzing written or computer data. Must pass a criminal background check; Pass a physical examination and complete Tuberculosis (TB) test every three years.

REPORTS TO: EHS/Head Start Manager

PAY SCHEDULE: Unified Pay Schedule, Pay Grade 113

LENGTH OF CONTRACT: 191 Days (9.5 months) – 7 hours

FLSA: Non-exempt