Head Start Family Advocate

YMCA of Central Ohio; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 47,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

YMCA of Central Ohio is seeking a Family Advocate to lead outreach, recruitment, and enrollment of children and families for Head Start services in the Columbus area. You will assist families in utilizing community resources and connecting with program supports.

The role requires a 4-year degree in a relevant field, knowledge of Head Start regulations, and strong skills in family communication and collaboration with community partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required with coursework in early childhood education, social work, human or family services or relevant discipline
• Knowledge of Head Start and State Child Care Licensing regulations and requirements
• Must be skilled in communicating with and motivating families and have an understanding of individual family development and use of various motivational and adult education principles and interventions
• Must have knowledge of family support principles, conflict resolution skills, and the ability to build relationships with community organizations and their personnel

Responsibilities

• Promotes youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility in all job-related functions.
• Recruits and enrolls eligible children and families, maintaining enrollment per program requirements.
• Works directly with families to identify and access family strengths and set family goals.
• Acts as liaison and advocate between community resources and families.
• Provides management, crisis intervention, and resource/referral services.
• Promotes parental involvement in all parent meetings and activities; ensures family involvement in governance and Head Start operations

Skills

Strong communication with families

Advocacy for children

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in early childhood education or related field

Tools

MS Office

Child Plus

Teaching Strategies GOLD

Job description

• Location 1907 Leonard Avenue,Columbus, OH, 43219,United States
• Base Pay $47,000.00 - $50,000.00 / Hour
• Job Category Head Start, Child Care
• Employee Type Full Time
• Required Degree 4 Year Degree

Description

1. Thinks, communicates and behaves as a cause-driven leader and role model for other staff and members when it comes to desired staff behaviors; promotes youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility in all job-related functions.

2. Recruits and enrolls eligible children and families, maintaining enrollment per program requirements.

3. Works directly with families to identify and access family strengths and set family goals.

4. Acts as liaison and advocate between community resources and families.

5. Provides management, crisis intervention, and resource/ referral services.

6. Promotes parental involvement in all parent meetings and activities. Ensures and supports
family involvement in program governance and in all aspects of the Head Start Program.

7. Ensures all health/dental screenings and follow-up for children per performance standards.

8. Helps families’ access transportation services, when appropriate, to and from community resources and other activities.

9. Completes documentation and submits all appropriate paperwork and reports as required.

10. Works as a team player with center staff, Head Start and YMCA of Central Ohio staff, parents and other community organizations to ensure all service area requirements are met to carry out the goals and objectives of the Head Start program.

11. Participates fully in staff meetings and training experiences as deemed necessary by the supervisor.

12. Maintains confidentiality of family records and information.

13. Works within required state and federal guidelines; follows agency policies/procedures in all areas.

14. Professionally represents Head Start and the YMCA of Central Ohio in the community.

15. Personally reports to Department of Social Services all suspected child, aged or incapacitated adult abuse and neglect as required by law and documents accordingly. Informs supervisor of all reports to Department of Social Services.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, talk and hear; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and distance vision. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Requirements

• Bachelor ' s degree required with coursework in early childhood educatio n , social work, human or family services or relevant discipline.
• Knowledge of Head Start and State Child Care Licensing regulations and requirements
• Must be skilled in communicating with and motivating families and have an understanding of individual family development and use of various motivational and adult education principles and interventions
• Must have knowledge of family support principles, conflict resolution skills, and the ability to build relationships with community organizations and their personnel
• Knowledge and experience in the philosophy and practices of Head Start (or comparable child development programs), early childhood education, and developmentally appropriate practices
• Ability to work and communicate with people from various cultural backgrounds and socio-economic levels
• Sensitivity to the needs, abilities, beliefs, and attitudes of individuals within and outside the agency, including but not limited to customers and co-workers

Technology aptitude , including MS Office , Child Plus and Teaching Strategies GOLD

Summary

Under the direct supervision of the Family Service Coordinator, the Family Advocates
maintain the outreach, recruitment and enrollment of children and families and assist families to fully utilize available community resources.