Family Advocate for Early Learning & Community Support

Acelero Learning; Bay St. Louis (MS); On-site; USD 24,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

HSA contributions

401(k) match

Professional Development

Job summary

Acelero, Inc. is seeking a dedicated Family Advocate to empower families and support children’s early development in the Head Start program. You will guide enrollment, promote school readiness, and connect families with essential resources to thrive.

You will collaborate with community partners, manage enrollment data, and help achieve attendance goals while maintaining a safe, healthy learning environment. This role requires travel and a valid driver’s license.

Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field preferred, OR AA or BA in another field with a commitment to complete Family Services Certificate/Credential within 18 months of hire.
• Experience assisting the parents of young children to advocate for their families; working in low-income diverse communities preferred.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Travel locally or long-distance up to 10% of the time for work-related meetings and functions.

Responsibilities

• Engage families in in-home and group experiences to promote school readiness and positive family routines.
• Manage ERSEA, record keeping and reporting, monitoring, and planning activities.
• Assist families with applications and document collection for enrollment processes.
• Support families with health-related information and attendance goals.
• Maintain enrollment levels and analyze data to inform planning.

Skills

ERSEA

Enrollment support

Community partnerships

Data entry

Attendance goals

Education

Associate or Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field

Family Development Certificate/Credential or willingness to obtain

High school diploma with 3 years community family work experience

Job description

Are you passionate about empowering families and supporting children’s early development? Acelero, Inc. is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Family Advocate to join our team. In this role, you will work directly with families to strengthen parent-child relationships, promote school readiness, and ensure children and families receive the resources and support they need to thrive.

Why Acelero?

Our mission is bold: To design and deliver research and evidence-based approaches to eliminate the gaps between young childrenʼs inherent potential and their achievement in school and life. With our partners, we accelerate child and family outcomes that honor all of the aspirations and cultures of the communities we serve.

Our values: Data-Informed Learning; Transparent & Open Communication; Growth Mindset; Championing Equality; Caring Teams & Communities.

Your Role

As a Family Advocate, you will play a critical role in building strong relationships with families and connecting them to the tools and services that foster success in our Head Start program. You’ll guide families through enrollment, support health and attendance goals, and collaborate with community partners to ensure comprehensive, culturally responsive care.

What You’ll Do

• Engage families in individualized, in-home and group experiences to enhance parent/child interactions that research shows foster school readiness through consistent family routines, positive guidance and discipline, experience rich home environments and literacy activities.
• Manage responsibilities that fall within the following core functions: ERSEA, record keeping and reporting, on-going monitoring, planning, and implementing, establishing, and maintaining a safe, healthy learning environment, supporting the well-being of children, and encouraging the involvement of the families of the children in our Head Start program.
• Participate in outreach, recruitment and attendance follow up activities to engage families in our program and to motivate their active participation.
• Work directly with families to assist in the completion of applications, collecting any missing documents that support the application process.
• Support families in the completion and collection of health-related information.
• Maintain the funded enrollment level, works with FSC/ERSEA Lead to fill vacancies as they occur, and analyzes enrollment data to inform the planning process.
• Create attendance goals for families whose attendance is below 80%.
• Complete data entry related to the aforementioned areas of responsibility.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with community partners to strengthen access to resources and training identified as priority goal areas by families.
• Participate in assigned meetings, events, and training as required.
  
  

What You Bring

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field preferred, OR AA or BA in another field with a commitment to complete Family Services Certificate/Credential within 18 months of hire. We will also consider candidates with a high school diploma and 3 years of experience working in the community with families and a completed Family Development Certificate or Credential.
• Experience, training, and skill assisting the parents of young children to advocate for their families required; experience working in low-income diverse communities preferred.
• Physical exam and background checks are required for this position.
• Travel is required locally or long-distance up to 10% of the time for work-related meetings and functions; must have reliable personal transportation as travel from site to site is required.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
  
  

When/Where/How Much

When: Summer/Fall 2026

Where: Harrison/Hancock County

How Much: $20.91/hour

Why You’ll Love Working With Us

• A meaningful mission that drives real change in the lives of children and families
• A collaborative, inclusive team that values your growth and well-being
• Robust benefits that support your total wellbeing, including:
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance with multiple plan options to fit your needs
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contributions up to $400/individuals & $800/family annually
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for health and dependent care expenses
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with up to 3% company match
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability and Basic Life Insurance
• Up to $500 per year in Professional Development Reimbursements
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with counseling and mental wellness support
• Wellness Programs, including virtual fitness, nutrition, and mindfulness classes
• Pet Insurance, Legal Assistance, ID Theft Protection, and Employee Discount Perks
  

If you’re ready to take on a challenge that matters and lead growth in a company where purpose and values drive every decision, apply now to join us as our next Family Advocate. Together, we’ll help every child reach their fullest potential!

Email Talent Acquisition Partner: [e-mail]

We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and healthy workplace.