Family Advocate (Head Start)

Up to $1,000 paid in hiring incentives! Aside from a highly rewarding job and competitive salary, we offer a strong benefits package, which includes: a 403(b) retirement plan with matching contributions; full health, dental and vision insurance coverage; up to 21 days paid vacation and 21 days paid sick leave; all State and Federal holidays; group term life insurance; AFLAC supplemental benefits; a flexible spending account; employee assistance program support; and potential higher education tuition assistance. For more information, please visit https://www.hcapweb.org/hcap-employment/

• All interested applicants must submit an HCAP employment application along with their resume
• ====================================== The Family Advocate position is responsible for recruiting preschoolers and their families into the Head Start program.

They must promote a comprehensive approach to family support and engagement and serve as a liaison between program and home settings to build relationships with families that support family well-being, strong relationships between parents and their children, and ongoing learning and development for both parents and children.

Caseload:

Two to threeclassrooms/home base, equivalent to 40-60 families

RELATIONSHIP BASED COMPENTENCIES 1.

: Engages in mutually respectful goal-oriented partnerships with families to promote parent-child relationships and family well-being. 2. : Respects and responds appropriately to the culture, language, values and family structures of each family served. 3. : Supports families' safety, health, financial stability, life goals and aspirations. 4. : Enhances parent-child relationships and supports parents' role as the first and lifelong educators of their children. 5. : Facilitates networks and group activities that support families' strengths, interests, and needs. 6. : Support families in using community resources that enhance family well-being and children's learning and development. 7. : Acts as a member of a comprehensive services team so that family service activities are coordinated and integrated throughout the program. 8. : Collects and analyzes information to find new solution to challenges as part of ongoing monitoring in order to continuously improve services. 9. : Actively participates in opportunities for continuous professional development.

ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES 1.

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Recruitment:

• Conducts recruitment activities to distribute applications & share information about Head Start services to families, community agencies and partners, including community events and fairs.
• Ensures families, that are most in need of Head Start services, are recruited in the assigned service area to fill part-day or full-day center base and/or home base options.
• Works closely with all staff in planning recruitment activities and efforts.

Attends Part C and Part B conferences to provide families with information to make informed decision on next placement for children with disabilities and/or special needs. 2.)

Eligibility:

• Schedules interviews with families to determine eligibility according to Head Start Program Performance Standards.
• Explain program options for part-day, full-day and home based and place them into an option that meets family's childcare needs.
• Conducts follow-up contacts and home visits with families to gather pending documents to complete eligibility determination. Uses Federal Poverty Guidelines and selection criteria & point system to accurately determine eligibility. 3.) Full-Day Tuition-based Services
• Familiarize self and conduct outreach to service providers that provide monthly preschool tuition subsidies.
• Assist families who are working, attending school or job training to enroll their children into a full-day program option.
• Informs and assists families through the application process to obtain benefits from service providers that provide monthly preschool tuition subsidies. Work with families to manage tuition payments and balances on a monthly basis. 4.) Selection & Enrollment
• Ensures selection of eligible children is based on current selection criteria & point system and that families meet the Head Start enrollment requirements before they are accepted into the program.
• Manages waiting lists and works closely with Program Manager and ERSEA Family Advocates, in assigned geographic area, to ensure vacancies are filled immediately as they occur within 30 days. Meets regularly with Program Managers to discuss changes in enrollment, impending vacancies and enrollment opportunities for families on the waiting lists. 5.) Attendance
• Meets with newly enrolled families to go over the importance of regular attendance in preschool.
• Regularly monitors daily and monthly attendance reports in assigned classrooms and/or home bases.

Provide resources and implement plans with families when a child begins to show chronic patterns of absences 6.)

Family Engagement:

• Implement Passport to Kindergarten with all enrolled families.
• Encourage parents to develop leadership skills by their participation and/or service as classroom officers in monthly parent meetings and on the Policy Council and Standing Committees.
• Encourage parents to plan and participate in family engagement activities and events in the classroom, during home base socializations and family's own home settings.

Collaborate with parents to complete a family strengths 7.)

School Readiness:

• Engage parents in their children's learning and development and support parent-child relationships, including strategies for father engagement.

Work with staff to provide opportunities for parents to be actively involved in setting goals for their children, planning transition activities for kindergarten-bound children, providing ideas for curriculum activities. 8.)

Health & Well-Being:

• Work with families to complete health and dental exams and screenings required for the program.
• Plan, facilitate and conduct parent workshops that educate families on the importance health literacy practices.

Collaborate with health services staff to meet the health, mental health, nutrition and dental needs of children and families. 9.)

Community Engagement:

• Establish collaborative relationships and partnerships with community organizations and service providers in the areas, such as: Health and Mental Health care providers, Department of Health and Department of Education, Child Welfare services, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Department of Human Services, Homeless Concerns Liaisons, Hawaii State Coalition for Domestic Violence 10.

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Onsite Visits & Education Team Support:

• Visit classroom sites and home base socializations on a regular basis to collaborate with education teams to support school readiness, family well-being, and family engagement goals.

Assesses current family situations and share findings with education teams during onsite visits and staff conferences. 11.)

Data Entry:

• Enters all family information data into ChildPlus Record Keeping System timely, completely and accurately.

EDUCATION

An Associate's degree in human services, social work, family services, counseling or related field: child development/family relations, counseling/guidance, psychology or sociology. At a minimum, possess a Family Development Credential or certification in human services, social work, family services, or counseling.

A FAMILY ADVOCATE TRAINEE

(FAT) may be hired at the entry level equivalent of salary range Level 5 with a high school diploma and no experience. The Family Advocate Trainee may advance to a

FAMILY ADVOCATE

(FA) positionupon the authority of the Head Start Director and after the completion of a family development credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or education within 18 months of hire.

EXPERIENCE

One (1) to two (2) years experience providing outreach, information and referral and direct service to low-income families and groups.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Must have a valid driver's license and daily access to an automobile that is properly licensed/insured for work; Must show evidence of TB test at time of employment; Must comply with State of Hawaii "Criminal History Record Clearance"; and Must obtain FBI fingerprint clearance before employment may begin.

DESIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES

Bilingual/bicultural skills, preferably in Samoan, Filipino, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Laotian and Pacific Island languages.

Computer:

Microsoft office products and database systems. Knowledge of Head Start program desired.'

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$34,600.00 - $45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee assistance program Flexible spending account Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Tuition reimbursement Vision insurance

License/Certification:

Driver's License (Preferred) Willingness to travel: 25% (Preferred)

Work Location:

In person