Lead Family Advocate

Shine Early Learning Inc; Wisconsin; On-site; USD 47,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

401(k) Retirement Plan with company 3%

Disability & Life Insurance

Professional Development Reimbursemts

Employee Assistance Program

Wellness Programs

Pet Insurance

Employee Discount Perks

Job summary

Acelero Learning Inc. is seeking a Lead Family Advocate to work with families to promote children's healthy development and school readiness, while strengthening family well-being and health.

The role involves mentoring peers, coordinating family engagement activities, and building community partnerships. The position requires a degree in social work or related field or substantial experience with families, travel up to 10%, and a flexible schedule.

Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field preferred, OR AA or BA in another field with a commitment to complete Family Services Certificate/Credential within 18 months of hire.
• We will also consider candidates with a high school diploma and 3 years of experience working in the community with families and a completed Family Development Certificate or Credential.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience working in community-based organizations or schools in diverse low-income communities.
• Experience working with families of children 0-5 preferred.
• Flexible work schedule that may include some evenings and weekends required.
• Physical exam and background checks are required for this position.
• Travel required locally or long-distance up to 10% of the time for work-related meetings and functions.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and/or reliable transportation.

Responsibilities

• Models exemplary family engagement practices for other Advocates.
• Provides peer mentoring and informal coaching to other Advocates.
• Facilitates capacity-building and learning transfer activities with colleagues.
• Planners major events for families and staff.
• Joins pilot projects to test and innovate family engagement approaches.
• Participates in onboarding of new staff.
• Co-facilitates small group strategies with Advocates and families.
• Cultivates community partnerships with external organizations for on-site family engagement workshops.
• Observes and provides feedback on meetings and family learning events.
• Provides support to teachers regarding program planning and implementation.
• Supports Family Services and Health leadership to monitor programs.

Skills

Family engagement

Mentoring

Community partnerships

Event planning

Travel readiness

Education

Associate or bachelor’s degree in social work or related field

High school diploma with relevant experience

Tools

Background checks

Job description

Why Acelero?

Acelero, Inc. is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Lead Family Advocate to join our team. In this role, you will work directly with families to strengthen parent-child relationships, promote school readiness, and ensure children and families receive the resources and support they need to thrive.

Our mission is bold: To design and deliver research and evidence-based approaches to eliminate the gaps between young childrenʼs inherent potential and their achievement in school and life. With our partners, we accelerate child and family outcomes that honor all of the aspirations and cultures of the communities we serve.

Our values: Data-Informed Learning; Transparent & Open Communication; Growth Mindset; Championing Equality; Caring Teams & Communities.

Your Role

The Lead Family Advocate is responsible for working as a member of a team whose primary role is to engage families as partners to promote children’s healthy development, learning, and school readiness, as well as strengthen family well-being and health. The Lead Family Advocate uses their core competencies and knowledge of the principles and strategies of family engagement to support their peers and colleagues, while continuing to partner with families on their assigned caseload.

What You’ll Do

• Models exemplary family engagement practices for other Advocates, including but not limited to an ability to demonstrate and execute Acelero Learning’s family engagement approach and strategies.
• Provides peer mentoring and/or informal coaching to other Advocates on Acelero Learning’s family engagement approach and strategies.
• Facilitates capacity-building and learning transfer activities with colleagues.
• Provides additional, targeted support to assigned staff and/or centers for the planning of major events (i.e. Family Orientation, Recruitment Fairs, Back to School nights, SOF events, world cafes, health fairs, and health screening days).
• Joins pilot projects to test and innovate our family engagement approach, as requested.
• Participates in the onboarding of new staff.
• Co-Facilitates the execution of small group strategies with Advocates and families that build social capital (i.e. family self-sufficiency, family engagement, families experiencing similar concerns or challenges, and children’s health and well-being).
• Cultivates community partnerships with external organizations to enhance relationships and identify collaborations for on-site family engagement/support workshops, including meeting regularly with such organizations, serving on committees or advisory boards, and/or attending the organizations’ relevant community events.
• Observes and provides feedback on FEN Meetings and Family Learning Parties; supports colleagues to plan meetings as needed/assigned.
• Provides support/consultation to teachers regarding planning and implementing programs and services.
• Supports Family Services and Health leadership to monitor and troubleshoot programs and services, including direct work with the center-level staff as appropriate.
• Participates in assigned meetings, events and training as required.

What You Bring

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field preferred, OR AA or BA in another field with a commitment to complete Family Services Certificate/Credential within 18 months of hire.
• We will also consider candidates with a high school diploma and 3 years of experience working in the community with families and a completed Family Development Certificate or Credential.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience working in community-based organizations or schools in diverse low-income communities.
• Experience working with families of children 0-5 preferred.
• Flexible work schedule that may include some evenings and weekends required.
• Physical exam and background checks are required for this position.
• Travel required locally or long-distance up to 10% of the time for work-related meetings and functions.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and/or reliable transportation.

When/Where/How Much

When: Fall 2026

Where: Milwaukee, WI

How Much: $55,000/ yearly

Why You’ll Love Working with Us

A meaningful mission that drives real change in the lives of children and families

A collaborative, inclusive team that values your growth and well-being

Robust benefits that support your total wellbeing, including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance with multiple plan options to fit your needs
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contributions up to $400/individuals & $800/family annually
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for health and dependent care expenses
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with up to 3% company match
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability and Basic Life Insurance
• Up to $500 per year in Professional Development Reimbursements
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with counseling and mental wellness support
• Wellness Programs, including virtual fitness, nutrition, and mindfulness classes
• Pet Insurance, Legal Assistance, ID Theft Protection
• Employee Discount Perks

Together, we’ll help every child reach their fullest potential!

We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and healthy workplace. Acelero Learning's mission is to bring a relentless focus on positive family and child outcomes to close the achievement gap and build a better future for children, families, and communities served by the Head Start program. Our company values guide us as we work towards our mission: Embracing Diversity, Open Communication, Teamwork and Community, Data-Informed Learning, and Follow-Through.

At Acelero Learning, we believe that all children can achieve and succeed, and we work to empower families to advocate for their children and themselves.