Cultural Broker-Family Advocate

Yolokids; Bryte (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 125,000; Part time

Job summary

A community support organization in California is seeking a Cultural Broker-Family Advocate to provide academic support and mentorship to Afghan refugees, assisting them in integrating into the education system and community. The ideal candidate will be fluent in Farsi/Dari/Pashto and have strong English skills, with experience in supporting culturally diverse families. Responsibilities include acting as a liaison to community services and helping families navigate educational resources.

Qualifications

• Fluency in Farsi/Dari/Pashto and strong English skills required.
• Must be currently attending college or higher education.
• Experience working with culturally diverse communities.
• Valid California Driver's license needed.

Responsibilities

• Support academic performance of K-12 Afghan students.
• Serve as a cultural liaison between families and services.
• Assist families with enrollment forms and community resources.
• Maintain student and family records confidentially.

Skills

Fluent in Farsi/ Dari/ Pashto

Strong English proficiency

Interpersonal skills

Culturally sensitive

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Currently enrolled in college courses

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

ORGANIZATIONAL IMPACT

Yolo County Children's Alliance (YCCA) vision is to protect and empower children by strengthening families throughout Yolo County. We recognize that better futures for our children start by building thriving environments to live, learn, and grow. YCCA ensures everyone in Yolo County has access to the resources they need to build meaningful ties to their communities and each other. To accomplish this, YCCA has expanded on our foundational role as the designated Child Abuse Prevention Council (CAPC) of Yolo County. Today, we serve as an inter-agency coordinator, building networks of support throughout Yolo County to deliver programs funded by numerous community and government grants, as well as individual donations. Our work focuses on three family-strengthening pillars: Family Support, Parent Education, and Community Collaboration.

ROLE IMPACT

Your impact as the Cultural Broker-Family Advocate is to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate academic support, ESL assistance and mentorship to recently arrived Afghan refugees. The Cultural Broker will work with Washington Unified School District to ensure Afghans are receiving the services and resources they need to be successful.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A CULTURAL BROKER-FAMILY ADVOCATE

You will work with the Family Resource Center team leadership to support the academic performance of young K-12 grade Afghan Newcomers and the successful integration of these youth into their communities. Daily duties may include:

• Provide comprehensive, culturally, and linguistically appropriate academic support, ESL services and mentorship to students.
• Serve as an advocate and cultural liaison for students and mainstream service providers.
• Advocate for and act as a liaison for families with existing community resources and essential services agencies, which may include routine translation and interpretation
• Assist families in completing and submitting enrollment forms and in supporting continued enrollment (for health insurance, CalFresh, Income Tax Services, free and reduced school lunch and more)
• Support and work with families to help them identify community resources and essential services that will help bring stability to the family
• Provide role modeling to students on self-regulation and on how to make appointments, to advocate for the needs of themselves, and to become self-sufficient in accessing services and resources in the school.
• Protect students' privacy and follow agency and funder confidentiality policies.
• Maintain up-to-date student and family records in case files.
• Must work YCCA sanctioned community events that assist in delivering program services to the communities we serve
• Perform other related duties as assigned to help drive our Vision and fulfill our Mission

CHARACTERISTICS & SKILLS FOR A CANDIDATE TO SUCCEED IN THE ROLE

Core Characteristics

• Collaboration: someone who is flexible and open to different ideas, perspectives, and experiences and understand the power of working together as a team
• Integrity: someone who takes responsibility for their actions, is able to set clear expectations of what they can bring to the table and has respect for those they work with
• Compassion: someone who is an active listener and shows empathy for the diverse communities we serve
• Inclusion & Equity: someone who is self-aware and is motivated to reduce barriers for communities whose voices are often silenced and
• Development: someone who is curious and open to feedback to ensure not only personal growth but overall team success

Must Have Skills

• Fluent in Farsi/ Dari/ Pashto with strong English proficiency required
• Must be currently enrolled in college courses and/ or higher education
• Availability to work minimum of 2 hours per day after school hours at designated school sites Monday-Friday
• Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint as well as ability to work effectively in a secure database
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to relate to individuals who may not share basic commonality, including value systems and behavior norms
• Ability to use good judgment and to handle confidential and sensitive issues with tact and diplomacy
• Experience in working with culturally diverse communities and students, with the ability to be culturally sensitive and appropriate
• Must possess a valid California Driver's license, have reliable transportation and auto insurance

Nice to Have Skills

• Knowledge of local school systems and resources available for newcomer refugee students
• Familiarity with Yolo County and support services is a plus

Essential Physical Requirements

Candidates must be able to perform tasks which involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work daily as well as lift up to 25 lbs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

Experience & Educational Background

Candidates must have experience working with young children and their families. High School Diploma or GED required.

County or State Required Documentation: Due to the nature of this role that may involve interaction with youth or require YCCA meet certain guidelines stipulated in federal and state funding, a fingerprint and background check is required.