Family Engagement Advocate (Head Start)

Community Action Partnership of Strafford County; Dover (NH); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Community Action Partnership of Strafford County is seeking a Family Advocate to support families and children enrolled in Head Start/Early Head Start center-based programs. You will foster strong relationships between families, classrooms, and the community to promote family engagement and access to resources.

The role emphasizes confidentiality, individualized family partnerships, and collaboration with education, health, and community services to promote child development and family

Qualifications

• Minimum of an Associate degree in Social Services or related field with two (2) years’ experience in casework delivery to families with young children. Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• Intermediate computer literacy including online data systems and Microsoft Office.
• Experience working with young children and their families.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to the unique challenges faced by families living in poverty.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain positive, supportive relationships with families.
• Maintain confidentiality and respect for the dignity of each family served.
• Conduct initial family needs assessments and assist in developing individualized family partnership agreements with goals grounded in the Parent, Family and Community Engagement Framework (family outcomes).
• Monitor family progress toward goals and provide ongoing support.
• Advocate for families and support access to community resources and services such as housing, employment, education, and health care.
• Conduct regular home visits and family contact according to family needs and program guidelines.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of family interactions, referrals, and follow-ups in the Child Plus data system.
• Collaborate with teaching staff, health, mental health, and disability team members to support child development and family engagement.
• Encourage and facilitate family participation in engagement activities, parent committee and policy council.
• Ensure compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards, federal and state regulations, and agency policies.
• Engage in recruitment activities including soliciting agency referrals, distributing posters and flyers, visiting homes to complete applications, and recruiting door-to-door on an ongoing basis.
• Monitor Child Plus entries to ensure vision, hearing, health and dental screenings, physicals, and immunizations are complete and entered according to standards.

Skills

Computer literacy

Experience with children and families

Sensitivity to poverty

Communication skills

Education

Associate degree in Social Services or related field

Bachelor's Degree preferred

Tools

Head Start data systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Community Action Partnership of Strafford County is seeking a Family Advocate to support families and children enrolled in Head Start/Early Head Start center-based programs. You will foster strong relationships between families, classrooms, and the community to promote family engagement and access to resources.

The role emphasizes confidentiality, individualized family partnerships, and collaboration with education, health, and community services to promote child development and family