Child and Family Advocate

Economic Opportunities Advancement Corporation; Waco (TX); On-site; USD 32,926 - 42,778; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Vision insurance

Wellness resources

401(k)

Job summary

Economic Opportunities Advancement Corporation (EOAC) is seeking a Child and Family Advocate in Texas. This non-exempt, full-time role supports Head Start and family services, delivering casework, ERSEA activities, and community partnerships to help low-income families and children.

You will conduct home visits, coordinate referrals, maintain records, and participate in parent involvement and staff meetings.

Qualifications

• Must have CDA credentials or an associated degree in social services.
• Two years of social service or adult education experience.
• Experience in record keeping and knowledge of community resources.
• Interest in and concern for low-income families and child development.
• Computer literacy (Word, database, spreadsheets, internet, email).
• CPR and First Aid certification required.
• Must possess a valid Texas driver’s license and access to a vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Perform duties related to Eligibility, recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance.
• Engage with families and communities to promote Head Start partnerships.
• Visit homes, coordinate referrals, and support family education plans.
• Maintain confidential records and ensure timely health screenings.
• Participate in team meetings, parent conferences, and community outreach.
• Document all activities, track attendance, and monitor service delivery.
• Ensure safety and compliance with policies during all activities.

Skills

CPR & First Aid

Verbal and written communication

Record keeping

Community resources knowledge

Driver's license & vehicle access

Physical lifting ability

Interpersonal skills

Education

Associate degree in social work or Social Services Certification, or Bachelor’s Degree in Social Services

Job description

Future Opening: Child and Family Advocate

Position: Child and Family Advocate

Classification: Non-Exempt, Full-Time

Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 4:00 pm

Job Status: Grade 7-10, Step depending on experience and qualifications

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance
• Wellness resources
• 401(k)

General Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of all EOAC employees to support EOAC’s mission and goals, to respect the confidentiality of all who come to us for information or assistance, and to personally maintain the dignity and integrity of one who is placed in a position of public trust. We all bear the responsibility of improving the organization, communicating openly and empowering each other to excel at our work and maintain confidentiality of client/agency information as required by State and Federal laws, appropriate regulations, and professional practice standards.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must have CDA credentials, an Associate degree in social work or Social Services Certification, or a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Services
• Two (2) years experience in social service work or adult education
• Should have experience in record keeping
• Should have knowledge of community resources
• Must have interest in and concern for low-income families and their children and their development
• Computer literacy (Word Processing, database and spreadsheets, Internet and email use) is required
• Must have Adult and Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification
• Must have the ability to maintain records on a computer system or be willing to learn
• Must possess a valid Texas Driver’s license and access to a privately owned vehicle with seat restraints and liability insurance for use in completing work responsibilities
• Frequent driving for home visits sometimes in outlying centers or to assist parents with transportation needs
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• There must be no prior convictions of child abuse/neglect
• Must pass pre-employment physical and have current TB skill test/chest x-ray with negative results
• Must have current enrollment in Child Care Division-Criminal History Registry and FBI background clearance
• Must have the ability to lift in excess of 35 pounds

Specific Responsibilities

• Performs all job responsibilities in a safe manner
• Performs duties related to Eligibility, recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance (ERSEA)
• Meet or exceed requirements of Family and Community Partnerships and Parent Involvement as indicated in the Head Start Performance Standards and as outlined in content area plans and policies and procedures related to the above-mentioned areas
• Deals sensitively and fairly with persons from diverse cultural backgrounds
• Effectively communicate with colleagues, children and parents; participate in parent committee meetings as a non-voting member; develop and maintain effective individual and group relationships
• Assess and respond to needs and recruitment of children, including children with disabilities; visits classrooms and consults with teachers on services needed
• Makes home visits as needed to gather information relating to children and families
• Develop and coordinate a continuing evaluation of the Family and Community Partnerships Program and Parent Involvement; in collaboration with Center Director and Family and Community Partnerships Manager, implement changes based on findings
• Effectively plan the Family and Community Partnerships and Parent Involvement Program; Provide assistance to develop education and personal plans (Family Partnership Agreement (FPA)
• Perform casework services with parents as needed to increase the parents’ understanding, their constructive participation in resolving their child’s problems, and their knowledge and use of available and appropriate resources (to include assurance of health screenings and follow-up in a timely manner and in accordance with written policy and procedure)
• Serves as liaison between Head Start and/or Early Head Start child, home, center, and community resources, such as family services agencies, child guidance clinics, courts, protective services, doctors, and clergy members
• Utilizes the referral process to help children and others use special programs and services, including counseling, emergency assistance, or crisis intervention. Assistance with follow-up of service needs; provides information to families on available and appropriate community resources
• Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents required. Assist with the confidentiality of all required reports
• Make parent contact/follow-up for children whose participation in Head Start and/or Early Head Start is irregular; track children who withdraw; track attendance in database on a daily basis
• Assist in planning and implementation of Parent Involvement activities
• Monitor progress of service delivery assigned caseload, including plans for improved child behavior that reflects enhanced opportunities for learning
• Participate in team meetings, staffing, and parent/teacher conferences according to assigned caseload
• Assist in creating an environment conducive to learning and appropriate for the maturity level and interest of Head start and early Head Start children
• Improve leadership skills through self-initiated professional development activities
• Assist parents to develop their skills and knowledge in the areas of parenting, medical/dental topics, mental health, nutrition, early childhood development and personal growth
• Perform other relevant responsibilities as required by the program
• Provide appropriate and timely information to the Community to actively inform and recruit eligible families
• Document all activities that relate to contact with families and specific program objectives
• Assure integration of all content areas
• Assure that a positive image of EOAC is portrayed at all times
• Other duties as assigned

Compensation

$32,926.75 - $42,778.70 per year

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Economic Opportunities Advancement Corporation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.