Family Development Advocate

Summary

Under general direction, participate in the planning coordinating of activities that provide support for partner providers, children, and families to provide high quality, comprehensive Head Start/Early Head Star/Child Care Partnership (CCP) services and programs. This position partners with families in setting goals, determining strategies to achieve identified family goals, problem solving and help families establish realistic timelines to achieve goals, designed to promote the social competence, cognitive and language development, and physical growth of pre-school children.

Duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and maintain respectful partnerships with parents/families, professionally and regularly, to structure services that encourage trust, ongoing two-way communication, family well-being, ongoing learning and development, and a welcoming program environment that incorporate the unique cultural, ethnic and linguistic backgrounds of families in the program and community.
• Abide by the Program Standards of Conduct.
• Collaborate with families in a family partnership process that identifies needs, interests, strengths, goals, and services and resources that support family well-being, including family safety, health, and economic stability. Review individual progress; jointly revise goals, evaluate and track whether identified needs and goals are met; help families achieve identified individualized family engagement outcomes and adjust strategies on an ongoing basis.
• Implement family engagement strategies that are designed to foster parental confidence and skills in promoting children's learning and development. Offer activities that support parent-child relationships and child development including language, dual language, literacy, and bi-literacy development as appropriate.
• Work with program staff to support classroom and center operations as needed; assist in maintaining active supervision requirements; consistently increase knowledge and understanding of the teaching role to provide a higher level of support when needed.
• Conduct timely checks with families when a child is absent, to include driving to homes; provide parents with information about the importance of their child's regular attendance and partner with them to promote consistent attendance. Implement strategies to improve individual attendance such as direct contact with parents or intensive case management, as necessary.
• Act as a referral coordinator to facilitate access to community services that are responsive to children's and families’ needs and family partnership goals; provide ongoing support to assist parents' navigation through health systems to meet the general health and specifically identified needs of their children and assist parents in accessing health insurance for themselves and their families.
• Facilitate, coordinate speakers, and/or lead parent classes that promotes Head Start's mission while promoting active parent engagement in the classroom/center.
• Provide all services and supports as required by the Head Start Program Performance Standards/Agency.
• Actively participate in the recruitment and enrollment of children eligible for the Head Start program, including foster children, homeless children, and children with disabilities, within communities served by the program. This shall include driving to canvas neighborhoods, accepting and reviewing applications, collecting and entering documentation, and interviewing.
• Plan, facilitate, and conduct home visits on a regular basis to support family outcomes; complete necessary assessments and reports.
• Conduct developmental screenings and ensure each child's ongoing assessment is linked to curriculum goals; use screening results to develop written referrals for children with suspected disabilities.
• Attend IEP reviews and apply goals to meet children's needs; facilitate the IEP process in a timely manner
• Prepare and maintain accurate records including ongoing observations to evaluate each child's growth and development while maintaining the confidentiality of child, family and program information.
• Perform data entry into assigned electronic systems and paper files to include MTS and ChildPlus.
• Understand and adhere to all WACOG and applicable external regulations, policies and procedures, and safety standards to include Head Start Performance Standards. Arizona Child Care Licensing, CACFP, and all Mandated Reporters requirements regarding suspected child abuse and/or neglect.
• Assist Center Manager and classroom staff, including performing the duties of, as needed.
• Remain prepared and organized with necessary forms and documentation for this position.
• Develop professionally by taking educational training or workshops as required.
• Travel within WACOG service area, including overnight stays as needed; additional travel may be required.
• Maintain reliable and predictable attendance; work outside of standard business hours as needed.
• Utilize tact and discretion to maintain confidentiality of information and a positive image of WACOG.
• Perform other duties as necessary to carry out the administrative/ programmatic goals and objectives of WAGOG and/or department. 

Requirements

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Associate’s degree in family studies, human services, social work, early childhood education or related degree, and two years related experience, or
Combination of education and experience that meets the core competencies of the program position

Per Head Start Program Performance Standards, currently:
Credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field within 18 months of hire.
CDA credential or comparable credential, or equivalent coursework as part of an associate’s or bachelor’s degree



PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree in child development, early childhood education, social work, human services, family services, or counseling


OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Minimum 21 years of age
Valid Arizona Driver License, MVR Report of Acceptable Driving Record, and Proof of Vehicle Liability Insurance
Current Health Physical and TB clearance
CPR and 1st Aid Certification
Arizona Food Handler’s Certificate
Current AZ DPS Fingerprint Clearance Card/ Criminal History Affidavit/Central Registry Background Check
Comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-energy environment
(Ability to secure and maintain a driver’s license valid in the state of Arizona, or an acceptable alternative means of transportation. May be required to drive an agency vehicle. Employees authorized to operate a private vehicle for WACOG business are required to carry liability insurance minimums. For purposes of vehicle insurance, minimum 21 years of age.)

Nice To Haves

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES (KSAs)The individual who holds this position must be able to perform the essential duties and responsibilities satisfactorily. The KSAs listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities needed for satisfactory performance.


- Demonstrated competency to plan and implement experiences that ensure effective implementation of the Parent/Family/Community Engagement Framework and to build respectful, culturally responsive, and trusting relationships with families
- Ability to engage in mutually respectful goal-oriented partnerships with families to promote parent-child relationships and family well-being
- Skill in supporting families’ safety, health, financial stability, life goals, and aspirations
- Ability to establish and maintain a safe and healthy learning environment
- Ability to respect and respond appropriately to the culture, language, values, and family structures of each family served
- Knowledge to facilitate social networks and group activities that support families’ strengths, interests, and needs
- Knowledge to act as a member of a comprehensive services team so that family service activities are coordinated and integrated throughout the program
- Ability to support families in using community resources that enhance family well-being and children’s learning and development
- Skill in collecting and analyzing information to find new solutions to challenge as part of ongoing monitoring in order to continuously improve services; define problems, establish facts and trends, and draw valid conclusions
- Skill in improving the readiness of children for school by educating families on the importance of engagement for educational success
- Ability to support the social and emotional development of children
- Ability to interpret a wide variety of technical instructions
- Working knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards and Arizona State Licensing requirements
- Ability to write technical reports that address measures of compliance and quality
- Ability to perform accurate and timely data entry
- Skill in navigating a variety of software programs
- Ability to verbally communicate, instruct, read, and write in the English language and ability to communicate in the language of the families with or without aid
- Ability to form and maintain professional and productive relationships

Benefits

Medical
Dental
Vision
Health Savings Account
Flexible Savings Account
Arizona State Retirement System
Life Insurance
Tuition Reimbursement
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)