Family Support Advocate - Atchison KS

Northeast Kansas Community Action Program; Atchison (KS); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The Northeast Kansas Community Action Program is seeking a Family Support Advocate in Atchison, KS. This role engages families through a strengths-based, whole-family approach, coordinating services, completing program applications, and connecting clients with local resources.

The position serves multiple counties, reports to the Community Services Director, and requires strong communication, data entry, and collaboration with community partners to reduce poverty and improve family outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred in Social Work, Human Services, or related field.
• High School Diploma or GED with two years of social services or service coordination experience required.

Responsibilities

• Complete intake and assist with service coordination needs.
• Determine eligibility based on program policies and income requirements.
• Document services, collect program data, and maintain files.
• Refer clients to community resources for employment, housing, legal aid, healthcare, or financial assistance.
• Engage in community outreach and collaboration to increase awareness of NEK-CAP services.
• Report abuse/neglect as required and coordinate with program director.

Skills

MS Word

Spreadsheets

Data software

Written communication

Oral communication

Organizational skills

Confidentiality

Spanish language

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

High School Diploma or GED with 2 years' experience in social services

Job description

Position:Family Support Advocate - Atchison KS

Location: Atchison, KS

Job Id:587

# of Openings:1

Family Support Advocate
Date: 7/8/2026
Reports to: Community Services Director Department: Community Services
Classification: Full-time 12 Month Status: Non-Exempt
Position Summary:
The Family Support Advocate engages families and community members through various NEK-CAP,
Inc. services using a strengths-based, whole-family approach. Qualified individuals will be responsible for
completing program applications, providing service coordination, understanding and providing
information about local resources, documenting services and program data, and maintaining community
connections for local resources. This position will serve multiple counties in our service area as assigned
by the program director. Work is performed under the supervision of the Community Services Director
and reviewed through regular supervision, reports, and program achievements.

Essential Functions

Program Support

• Complete intake application process with applicants started through online pre-applications,
  referrals, and phone calls. Provide support during intakes for service coordination needs such as
  follow-up meetings, referrals, and documentation.
• Determine service eligibility based on program policies and income requirements
• Review family data form for returning participants to ensure demographic and income
  information is accurate to meet program eligibility guidelines and data accuracy needs.
• Review strengths assessment and create family goal plan with program participants to identify
  family strengths, needs and goals to encourage positive family outcomes.
• Refer customers to community resources for appropriate services based on needs such as
  employment assistance, housing assistance, legal aid, medical treatment, or financial assistance
  and counseling, mental health or addiction services, domestic violence providers, and educational
  providers.
• Encourage ongoing communication and follow-up appointments to improve skill building and
  communication of strengths, barriers, and success towards goals.
• Facilitate or assist with Filling the Gap or other potential food distribution programs as assigned
  to meet local needs for food security.
• Report child or adult abuse/neglect/exploitation as needed, communicate concerns with program
  director and document in file.

Community Engagement & Collaboration

• Participate in local and regional community groups that address services, local needs, community
  planning, and resources.
• Participate in community events including but not limited to resource fairs, health fairs, awareness
  events, or other events as identified to increase the awareness of NEK-CAP, Inc.’s programs and
  services available as they tie to events and county needs.
• Serve on policy-making committees, assist in community development strategies, and assist client
  groups by advocating for solutions to poverty and its causes and conditions.
• Develop strategies for improving coordination and collaboration with human service providers,
  health care providers, emergency management, educational institutions, business and faith-based
  organizations across service area.
• Represent and advocate for the agency to public/private organizations and community networking
  meetings (formal and informal). This may include public speaking as assigned by the Community
  Services Director.
• Facilitate or assist with Poverty Simulation and/or REALL simulations as scheduled by
  community groups. Promote simulations to local groups to increase awareness of poverty.
• Attend community and agency meetings including focus groups for Community Needs
  Assessment and Strategic Planning as assigned to advocate for family, community, and agency
  needs and best practices.
• Understand Federal, state, and local standards as they apply to CSBG and other programs or
  grants utilized for services.

Data Analysis & Reporting

Provide regular reports to director on community meetings, activities, goals,
outcomes and potential impacts.

• Report any suspected child/adult abuse or neglect to appropriate authorities.
• Document contacts, intakes, and ongoing services in agency database to capture program
  information regarding services provided, outcomes achieved, case notes and impacts created in
  the community.
• Monitor local program budgets to determine availability of funds for local needs, including
  communication with Community Services Director and fiscal department for reconciling.

Knowledge and Experience

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

Education

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution preferred. Preference will be given to degrees in
  Social Work, Human Services, Family Studies, Counseling, Community Development or Public
  Administration.
• Minimum requirement must be High School Graduate or GED recipient with two years’ experience
  in social services or service coordination.

Essential Skills

• Proficient with computer and software skills including Microsoft Word documents, spreadsheets,
  and data software applications
• Basic understanding of general office equipment such as photocopiers, faxes, and phone systems
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills for communication with the public, community
  partners, and co-workers.
• Strong organizational, time management, and executive functioning skills
• Basic understanding of data quality and importance
• Commitment to confidentiality and best practices
• Multilingual skills including proficiency in Spanish to support communication with multilingual
  families.

Desired Skills

• Proficient knowledge or ability to learn local community resources
• Ability to learn and adapt to program and caseload needs while building knowledge and skills
• Ability to demonstrate or learn group presentation skills
• Displays passion and optimism

Cultural Competencies

• Uphold the shared values of the agency per the Employee Handbook and program policies
• Support management decisions both in actions and words.
• Attend all required training as assigned to promote professional development
• Complete other duties as assigned for programmatic success and impacts.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to
successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to travel throughout the service area and attend meetings, community events, and training.
  Includes potential to travel during inclement weather.
• Ability to sit, stand, and use standard office equipment for extended periods.
• Ability to speak and hear others speaking.
• May require occasional evening or weekend attendance at community meetings or events.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and be able to use company vehicles for travel.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed
by this position. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the
work is similar, related or logical assignment to the position.