Family Resource Advocate

DOUGLASS COMMUNITY SERVICES INC; Macon (MO); On-site; USD 21,931 - 22,813; Full time

Job summary

DOUGLASS COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. seeks a Head Start family services professional to empower families, provide referrals, and support participation in the Head Start experience.

You will work to ensure timely documentation and effective outreach while promoting learning opportunities for families. Minimum requirements include a high school diploma or GED; a college degree in Social Work, Early Childhood Education, Child & Family Development, or related field is preferred.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; college degree preferred in Social Work, ECE, or related field.
• Must obtain FDC credentialing within first cohort after hire.
• CDA credential may be required depending on age of children served.

Responsibilities

• Builds positive relationships with families to encourage engagement in child and family growth.
• Supports educational and social-emotional growth of families and their members.
• Identifies strengths, interests, and needs to promote family growth and development.
• Empowers families to plan and achieve self-reliance through family partnership agreements.
• Supports and promotes current curricula used by the Head Start program.
• Ensures all mandatory documents are in place and data entries are up to date.

Skills

Communication

Confidentiality

Teamwork

Data entry

Word processing

Driver's license

Education

High school diploma or GED

College degree in Social Work/ECE/Child & Family Development or related social science

Tools

Word processing

Data entry

Job description

Job Summary

Empowers families to increase the families’ self-reliance through information provided, access to, and referrals to available resources. Ensures that families have the opportunity and are encouraged to be fully involved in the Head Start experience by providing learning opportunities responsive to the families’ needs.

Schedule

40 hours per week / 38 weeks annually

Salary

Starting Salary: $15.92/hour with CDA $16.56/hr with Degree

Essential Responsibilities

• Builds positive relationships with families encouraging engagement in their child’s and families’ growth.
• Through interaction and example, supports and promotes educational & social-emotional growth of the family, and recognizes the individual strengths of each family member.
• Assists families in identifying strengths, interests, and needs that promote the growth and development of their families.
• Empowers families to plan and achieve self-reliance through family partnership agreements.
• Supports and promotes the current curriculums (educational, social, emotional, prenatal, parenting curriculums, etc.) used by the program.
• Ensures all mandatory documents are in place per established timelines, all computer entries are up to date, and proper follow-up with families, providers, etc. is completed as appropriate.
• Responsible for recruitment, accurately determining eligibility, timely acceptance & enrollment, and daily attendance of Head Start participants and families.
• Ensures that appropriate screenings and follow-ups are completed for each child within designated timeframes. Works with the family to make referrals to appropriate agencies/providers to ensure each child’s individual needs are being met.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalency is required; a college degree in Social Work, Early Childhood Education, Child & Family Development, or a related social science area is preferred, as is three years of experience delivering case management services and/or teaching child development and parenting skills to parents/guardians. Must obtain FDC credentialing during the first cohort offered following hire date. The ability to obtain a CDA credential that is appropriate to the age of children being served in the center-based program. Must complete training and maintains certification in CPR and First Aid. The ability to communicate effectively (written and verbal), enjoy interacting with young children, and maintain confidentiality are required to successfully fulfill this position’s responsibilities. Must possess a Class E Chauffeur’s License upon hire and have access to a reliable vehicle for home visits. This position requires the skills to complete word processing and data entry on a computer. Additionally, the ability to take initiative, make independent judgments, and promote teamwork is required.

EOE