Family Advocate - Jackson County

Southern Oregon Head Start; Central Point (OR); On-site; USD 48,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

Southern Oregon Head Start seeks a Family Advocate to build relationships with families and connect them with health, social, nutrition, and leadership development services across Head Start programs.

The role emphasizes culturally responsive practice, individualized services, and collaboration with teachers and family services staff to meet each family’s unique needs. Bilingual English/Spanish may be required and the job includes travel between sites.

Qualifications

• Degree or certificate in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or related field.
• Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency; ability to interpret/translate.
• High school diploma with 18 months related experience or equivalent credential within 18 months.
• Minimum two years of experience in social services with adults and low-income families preferred.
• Active listening, problem-solving, crisis intervention, and strong communication.

Responsibilities

• Support ERSEA activities including recruitment, enrollment, and attendance.
• Develop partnerships with families; provide case management and health/nutrition referrals.
• Assist families in crisis and provide referrals/resources.
• Maintain documentation and conduct home visits.
• Engage in parent leadership and community partnerships.
• Ensure confidentiality and effective communication in team.

Skills

Active listening

Problem-solving

Crisis intervention

Interpersonal skills

Written communication

Oral communication

Team collaboration

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Education

Degree in Social Work / Human Services

High School Diploma

Job description

FAMILY ADVOCATE

Full-Time, Excellent Benefits, and Paid Time Off

Starting Wage: $23.12 per hour, based on Education

Starting Bilingual Wage: $24.28 per hour, based on Education/Bilingual Screening

PURPOSE:

The Family Advocate (FA) will develop and maintain relationships with families and ensure that they receive comprehensive services through their participation in the Head Start/Early Head Start programs. Comprehensive services include, but are not limited to, health and social services, disabilities, nutrition, parent engagement, crisis support and a range of parent Leadership development training opportunities at the site. The FA will support and respect the culture and family background of each family, utilizing Unconditional Positive Regard at all times and providing individualized services that meet each family’s unique needs. This position is responsible for meeting Head Start performance standards and following the Agency policies and procedures. The Family Advocate is also responsible for conducting community outreach efforts as outlined by the Family Services department to identify and develop relationships with community-based organizations that provide other needed services to families.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

I. ERSEA (Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance)

1. Assist with recruitment efforts as needed.
2. Work closely with teacher(s), families, and departments to address child attendance concerns.
3. Support registration of newly enrolled families as needed.

II. FAMILY SERVICES

1. Establish partnerships with parents and caregivers that are respectful, culturally responsive and nonjudgmental.
   • Participate in culturally sustaining practices that nurture and support cultures faced with systematic hardships by encouraging linguistic, literacy and assisting families in maintaining their unique cultural identities, practices and values (cultural pluralism).
2. Contribute to and maintain an equitable center environment where children and families feel seen, heard, acknowledged and have a sense of belonging and connection to their community.
3. Develop strong working relationships with families and provide case management services to ensure the health and well-being of children and families.
4. Provide occasional support in the classroom as needed.
5. Provide support, education and resources to parents to ensure the health and well-being of their child.
   • Assist families in obtaining current, up-to-date preventative medical, dental, mental health, disabilities and nutrition requirements, including all necessary referrals and follow-up;
   • Assist families in accessing health and wellness services as needed, and address barriers to services, including advocacy with service providers when appropriate;
   • Facilitate the development of family-driven goals that are relevant and meaningful to each individual family;
   • Complete, update and maintain all relevant forms in an accurate and timely manner;
   • Conduct home visits in accordance with the home visiting policy and procedure;
   • Partner with teacher(s) to conduct family conferences in accordance with the home visit policy and procedure.

III. ASSIST FAMILIES IN CRISIS

1. Work alongside families facing adversity in times of need. Share the workload and ask for help when needed.
2. Utilize active listening skills to develop an understanding of the family’s needs without judgment or assumptions. Use unconditional positive regard verbally and nonverbally when a family shares personal information with you.
3. Support family-driven solutions by encouraging families in making decisions and taking active steps to address the crisis.
4. Provide referrals or resources as appropriate.

IV. DOCUMENTATION, RECORD KEEPING AND REPORTING

1. Maintain accurate, organized and up to date documentation of all efforts and contacts in working with families.
   • Document all services, resources, and referrals given to families.
2. Maintain fiscal responsibility as directed for FA purchases.

V. COMMUNICATION, DEBRIEFS, CHILD STAFFING/CONSULTATIONS

1. Protect and respect the confidentiality of others.
   • Follow all related policy and procedures involving confidentiality and release of information.
2. Communicate and debrief with staff at center, in classroom and in meetings as scheduled.
   • Attend and participate in center, department and agency meetings and trainings as assigned;
   • Participate in regularly scheduled child staffings with education team(s), including shared family staffings with other Family Services team members and/or education staff in accordance to policy and procedures.
   • Participate in consultations and child guidance meetings as requested;
   • Attend other interagency meetings, as scheduled;
   • Maintain ongoing communication with Department Supervisors and Site Managers regarding workflow and assigned children and families.

VI. PARENT ENGAGEMENT

1. Engage parents as full partners in the education of their child and their preparation for kindergarten.
2. Encourage and maintain active parent leadership in the center, providing parents opportunities to be involved in group activities (including Policy Council and Center Parent Committees) and educational activities, based on interest and need;
3. Engage parent in contributing to program activities and services through volunteering, community service, etc.
4. Work with other staff to engage parent in individualized goals and interactive activities with their child at school, at home and in the community.
5. Assist parents as adult learners to recognize and address their own literacy goals.
6. Link parents to and support them in training that contributes to self-sufficiency.
7. Support and assist families in transitioning to kindergarten; link parents with their child’s next school.

VII. COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

1. Develop and pursue relationships with community providers in order to advocate for the needs and interests of Head Start families in accordance to Family Services department direction.
2. Be an ambassador for the program in the community.

VIII. INTERACTION WITH CHILD, COLLABORATIVE, PARENTS AND CO-WORKERS

1. Must relate in a positive, nurturing way, both verbally and physically, and be sensitive to the needs of children, parents and co-workers.
2. Must use quick, safe reactions and responses in dealing with children or situations that involve children.

IX. WORK ENVIRONMENT AND SAFETY

1. Maintain a safe and pleasant work environment.
2. Maintain agency work site equipment and materials.
3. Follow safety regulations, policies and procedures.
4. Actively contribute towards promoting a safe workplace/environment.

X. OTHER DUTIES

May be assigned other related duties as appropriate and within the scope of general responsibilities for this position. However, this job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties that may need to be performed by the employee fulfilling this position. This job description describes the general nature and level of work, but is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties which may be required. Working conditions include indoor office and preschools, frequent local travel and occasional out of town travel.

REQUIRED JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Education: Degree or certificate related to the work, i.e., social work, human services, family services, counseling, or related field. (Some community colleges offer a Family Support Worker certificate program.)

Possession of a degree unrelated to the work (i.e., in a field other than those stated above) will be required to have 9 months of employment related to the position and be able to obtain an approved credential or certificate in social work, human services, family services, counseling or related field within 18 months of hire.

OR

High school diploma or equivalent required and 18 months of employment related experience and be able to obtain a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling or a related field within 18 months of hire;

Experience: Minimum two years in social services with adults and work with low-income families preferred.

Essential Skills: Active listening, problem-solving, and crisis intervention skills, supported by excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication. Demonstrates ability to ask clarifying questions to better understand others’ perspectives, and to accept, reflect on, and apply feedback. Builds meaningful partnerships with families, teammates, and the community, while working effectively in a collaborative team environment and contributing to shared problem-solving. Maintains consistent and punctual attendance, demonstrating reliability, preparedness, and follow-through on commitments and deadlines. Consistently upholds and models SOHS agency values by leading change, embracing diversity through active listening and proactive engagement, fostering inclusive, equitable interactions for all children and families while actively seeking tools and guidance to address inequities. Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English to understand and follow procedures, ensure safety, and complete required documentation related to the position.

*Bilingual Family Advocate must possess sufficient English/Spanish language proficiency to facilitate interpretation and translation of data in all forms. Must have the ability to provide accurate information to children, families and the public who require interpreting and translation assistance.

Essential Mental Abilities: This position is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret information; analyze and solve problems; be self-directed; observe and interpret people and situations; learn and apply new information or skills; work under intensive deadlines and interact with management, administrators, staff, teachers, parents, family members, children and others encountered in the course of work; utilize unconditional positive regard for others.

Essential Physical Requirements: This position is classified as Center‑Facing. Ability to lift and carry up to 40 lbs. a distance of 25 feet and to push and/or pull up to 40 lbs. a distance of 20 yards. Sufficient mobility, strength, and range of motion to perform standing, walking, balancing, stooping, bending, crouching, crawling, sitting on the floor, reaching, squatting or kneeling, twisting and ascending or descending steps. Ability to react quickly to the physical actions of children. Ability to sit for extended periods of time as required by the position. Sufficient stamina to perform job duties at the required frequency. Sufficient vision, hearing, manual dexterity, and eye‑hand coordination to perform job duties safely and effectively. These physical requirements reflect the maximum potential demands of working in a center‑based setting and are not indicative of continuous lifting or carrying.

Exposure to Hazards: Repetitive motion tasks, sitting for long periods of time, use of personal computer and other office equipment. Unpredictable child and parent behavior, exposure to contagious conditions, hazardous chemicals and driving and riding in motor vehicles and school buses.

EMPLOYMENT CONTINGENT UPON:

Pre-employment health screening as required by Agency and position (may include, but is not limited to: drug screening, occupational health screening and/or functional testing)

Central Background Registry enrollment

Valid Oregon Driver License

Proof of current personal automobile insurance in accordance with agency policy

Three (3) years DMV court print driving record

Approval to drive from Agency insurance carrier – requires at least 21 years of age

Reports to: Site Manager 0-5