Family Advocate

YWCA; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

YWCA of Metropolitan St. Louis is seeking a Family Advocate to support families enrolled in Head Start. You will manage casework, coordinate Family Partnership Plans, and connect families with health, dental, and community resources.

The role requires strong communication, data entry in Child Plus, and advocacy to improve outcomes for women, children and families. Travel to remote sites may be required. Four‑year college education is required, and the position emphasizes collaboration,

Qualifications

• Knowledge of community resources, family values, and cultural considerations.
• Ability to type at least 20 words per minute and communicate clearly.
• Strong problem solving, time management and multi-tasking abilities.
• Experience coordinating with diverse teams and families within Head Start contexts.
• Four-year college education required.

Responsibilities

• Ensure families participate in a Family Partnership Plan and complete a Family Assessment with timely referrals.
• Provide ongoing resources and referrals based on identified needs and goals of parents/guardians.
• Implement Head Start Performance Standards through family support services and health/dental access.
• Maintain confidential records and data entry in the Child Plus system with monthly audits.
• Advocate for HS/EHS families and build linkages with community service providers.
• Promote parent involvement at the center, support staff collaboration, and family curriculum activities.
• Lead initiatives like Care Team for crises and Father involvement to enhance engagement.

Skills

Typing 20 wpm

Problem solving

Verbal & written communication

Multi-tasking

Time management

Diversity & collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Description

About YWCA

YWCA of Metropolitan St. Louis (YWCA) has been serving the community for more than 120 years, providing essential, wraparound services that support women and families throughout their time in our programs. Each year, YWCA serves approximately 10,000 women and their families, offering a multitude of services. YWCA is the largest provider of direct Head Start services in Missouri, operating 8 centers and 11 partner sites, and we are proud to hold the National Program of Excellence accreditation from the National Head Start Association.

Why Work With Us?

• Meaningful Work - Every role at YWCA helps create positive change in the community.
• Supportive Environment - Join a team that values collaboration and mutual respect.
• Professional Development - Opportunities for training and career growth.
• Work-Life Balance - Flexible scheduling and generous paid time off.
• Competitive Benefits - Health, dental, vision coverage, retirement plans, and wellness programs.
• Community Impact - Be part of programs that make a real difference for women, children, and families.

Our Signature Programs

• Early Childhood Education & Childcare – Providing safe, nurturing environments for children to learn and grow.
• Family Support Services – Helping families access resources and build stability.
• Health & Wellness Initiatives – Promoting physical and mental well-being through community programs.
• Advocacy & Outreach – Connecting individuals to opportunities and support systems that improve quality of life.

Purpose

Ensure that the family of each enrolled child is afforded the opportunity to develop and implement an individualized plan of service based on their interest and needs. Operate as a liaison between the center and home setting in all functional areas while promoting family wellness and involvement through a case management process.

Formal Policy-Setting Responsibilities

Responsible for making recommendations that may or may not be acceptable at a higher level regarding the job's purpose, essential responsibilities, and operations.

Routine Decision-Making

Conduct timely follow-up on Family Assessments and Family Partnership Plan/Agreements, identify community resources, make timely referrals to families, monitor family files to ensure the accuracy and integrity of information and assist with application intake and data entry as needed.

Formal Supervisory Responsibility

N/A

Description

• Ensure, through a case management system, that all families are provided an opportunity to participate in a Family Partnership Plan, complete a Family Assessment and provide timely resources and referrals as a result of identified needs and goals of parents and/or guardians during this process.
• Implement goals, policies, procedures and activities designed to provide the full range of family support services in compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, including assisting with obtaining health and dental services, and other child/family services identified, as part of ongoing case management. Implement a formal system of follow-up with families on referrals to community agencies, to assure the satisfactory provision of services.
• Establish, maintain and monitor an efficient record keeping system in line with program policies and procedures, with adequate provisions for confidentiality. Ensure accurate data entry and up to date records of all enrolled families and Child Plus data system by auditing of reports monthly, documenting all contact with families and follow-up on attendance, referrals and resources offered to parents and/or guardians.
• Serve as an advocate for HS/EHS families within the community and provide ongoing support to families, including those with diverse backgrounds. Develop linkages between other family support service agencies to provide better service delivery. Help families identify and access needed resources including health, mental health, social services, education, and job training.
• Promote parent involvement at the center level, participate in IEP and IFSP and other required staffing, and implementation of strengthening family's curriculum, 100 Neediest Cases and provide training for parent and the community in all aspects of family support services, as determined by Family assessment.
• Projects: Care Team to address families in crisis and Male Involvement to promote a more Father-Friendly environment at the Center Level.

To perform this job satisfactorily, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability, and environmental conditions required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Requirements

Required Knowledge

Knowledge of resources within the community, family values, beliefs, traditions, cultural influences, make-up and circumstances. Usage of appropriate verbal and non-verbal messages and listening skills.

Required Skills or Abilities

Ability to type at least 20 words per minute, problem solve and effectively communicate both verbally and written, multi-task, manage time and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines and relate well and coordinate with people from diverse backgrounds.

Formal Education

Four-year college education

Physical Demands (and lifting requirements)

Ability to lift and carry 40 lbs.

Working Conditions (is this a desk job, primarily seated, in the classroom, lots of moving around from office to office, etc.)

Ability to travel to other remote sites as needed.

Environmental Factors (anything else in the work environment — high stress, heavy mental demands, etc.)

Family Advocate at times will go into neighborhoods of low-income families to conduct home visits, follow-up on crisis situation and resources offered to families that may expose him/her to hazardous conditions associated within those neighborhoods.

YWCA of Metro St. Louis is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind as defined by applicable federal, state, and local laws.