Family Advocate

Community Action Corporation of South Texas (CACOST); Hebbronville (TX); On-site; USD 28,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Community Action Corporation of South Texas (CACOST) seeks a Family Advocate to provide case management for designated Head Start families. You will liaise with staff, families and community partners across health, nutrition, disability, transition and family engagement, ensuring documentation and delivery of services.

Responsibilities include building partnerships, outreach for enrollment, coordinating with teaching staff, and maintaining accurate records while guiding families toward needed

Qualifications

• Baccalaureate or Associate degree in Social Work, Human Services, Family Services, Counseling, or related field.
• Credential or certification in Social Work, Human Services, Family Services, Counseling, or related field.
• Prepare and train in the competency goals and indicators for Family Service Workers as per Head Start Act 648A.

Responsibilities

• Establish community partnerships to enhance Head Start services.
• Assist Enrollment and PFCE outreach and transitions.
• Connect families with school readiness, safety, health and wellness resources.

Skills

Decision making

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or Associate degree in Social Work or related field

Credential in Social Work, Human Services, Family Services, Counseling, or related field

Texas Driver's License

DFPS background check

Pre-employment physical

Health Certificate annually

Pediatric CPR & First Aid certified

Food Handler's Card

24 hours of professional development annually

Job description

General Summary

Provide case management for designated families through referrals and supportive services. The Family Advocate acts as a liaison between families, staff and community partners and is responsible for the planning, implementation and documentation of services across health, nutrition, disability, transition, mental health, and the parent, family and community engagement content areas.

Primary Responsibilities

1. Establish community partnerships to enhance the quality of services provided to Head Start 0-5 families.
2. Assist Enrollment and PFCE content areas as it related to outreach, recruitment, transitions, and other required activities.
3. Connect families with opportunities that support family engagement in school readiness, safety, financial literacy, health and family wellness through the encouragement of participation in parent committee meetings, advisory committee meetings, parent/caregiver trainings, and Policy Council.
4. Deliver appropriate and time sensitive case management services to diverse family systems and families experiencing crisis.
5. Maintain accurate, organized and up to date documentation of event notes along with information related to health, mental health, disabilities, family engagement and nutrition within the Head Start electronic software.
6. Works closely with Operation Manager to report on family related services and end-of-year Program Information Reports.
7. Establish strong relationships with families by utilizing individualized Family Assessments and a strengths-based approach to set family goals.
8. Maintain on-going contact with teaching staff in order to share relevant home information and gain information regarding child performance in the classroom.
9. Assist families in obtaining current, up-to-date immunizations, care plans, physical, dental, mental health, disabilities and nutrition requirements, including necessary referrals and follow-up.
10. Assure completion of health assessments for all assigned sites in accordance with Program Performance Standards.
11. Provide information and referrals for families and children as appropriate. Follow up and document all referrals to determine services received.
12. Assist teaching staff with documentation and child supervision in the classroom as required.
13. Assist teaching staff by ensuring all children are provided with high-quality safe, nurturing and educational practices through positive staff-child interactions, safe handling of children and child-centered learning experiences, as needed.
14. Makes appropriate referrals for families and children and follows up on referrals to determine if services were received and needs were met.
15. Responsible for the completion of enrollment interviews, monitoring of classroom folders and ensuring all forms are uploaded into electronic software.
16. Any other duties as assigned by the assigned Supervisor.

Work Experience Required

• Experience working with parents and/or
• Children in a childcare, school, or office setting in which coordination of social services are provided.

Preferred

• Minimum of 1 year Head Start experience

Education/Certifications/Licensure Required

• Baccalaureate or Associate degree in Social Work, Human Services, Family Services, Counseling, or a related field; or
• Credential or certification in Social Work, Human Services, Family Services, Counseling, or related field
• Prepare and train in the competency goals and indicators for Family Service Workers and attend the certification course as per the Head Start Act 648A - Staff qualifications for Family Service Workers.
• Valid Texas Driver's License.
• Must pass DFPS background check.
• Must pass pre-employment physical.
• Obtain Health Certificate annually.
• Within 30 days of employment must be Pediatric CPR & First Aid certified and have a current Food Handler's Card.
• Must attend 24 clock hours of professional development and staff training per year as outlined by the Head Start Program Performance Standards and Texas HHS Minimum Standards for Child Care Centers.

Preferred

• Master's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Family Services, Counseling, or a related field.

Skills

• Frequent significant decision and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work as a team member collaborating with staff, parents and community resources.

Physical Requirements

Able to perform the following physical reuqirements of the position with or without reasonable accommodation: critical sensory requirments include general vision; specific vision abiliites required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Hear or lsiten in the normal range (corrected) and speak and give direction clearly. Able to walk, sit, stand, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects up to 10 pounds., and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. If an offer of employment is extended, pre-employment physical must be passed before employment can begin.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a classroom/office setting where minimal exposure to injury exists. Hours of work will generally be during regular business hours and on average at least 40 hours per work. There will be variations in work hours due to employee special projects and deadlines.

Welcome to Community Action Corporation of South Texas (CACOST)!

CACOST is a private non-profit organization established in 1971 and funded through federal, state and local grants. CACOST currently serves 16 counties via a wide variety of community programs and services. CACOST lives its mission each day, which is to continuously improve the lives of South Texans by providing high quality health care, education, housing and economic opportunities to reduce poverty through services and partnerships.

CACOST is looking for employees who are interested in accomplishing our mission, which can be both rewarding and challenging. We count on our employees to contribute directly to the growth and success of our agency. Because the quality of our staff is the key to our success, we carefully select our new employees.