Family Advocate/Family Support Specialist at Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD) – Seattle, Washington

We invite a highly qualified Family Advocate to join our team. The Family Advocate works with Educare School’s Family Support staff and the interdisciplinary teaching team in the engagement and the support of families in Educare through activities, classroom support as needed, practices and services that support parents as the primary nurturers, experts and teachers of their child to promote and sustain their child’s learning, development and academic and life success.

Purpose Statement
The job of Family Advocate/Family Support Specialist is done for the purpose/s of determining eligibility for program, enrolling families in program, enlisting parental involvement in child educational programs; working with parents in identifying and achieving goals; accessing support services; creating training programs; and facilitating positive parent, school and student relationships.

This job reports to Assigned Administrator

Position remain open until filled; please submit application before best consideration date of 11/30/2025. Interviews tentatively set for 12/8/2025 followed by 12/15/2025.

This is an onsite position at Educare.

Essential Functions

• Administers Head Start program standards for the purpose of ensuring program eligibility and compliance with mandated regulations.
• Assesses family and infant/child needs for the purpose of determining eligibility and/or developing an action plan to remove barriers to child's success in school.
• Assists parents in a variety of areas for the purpose of developing an action plan to remove barriers to child's success in school and supporting the family in basic life skills.
• Develops individualized health, nutrition and family support plans for all enrolled children for the purpose of furthering family goals, plans, and success strategies.
• Maintains a variety of manual and electronic documents, files and records for the purpose of providing required information and/or documentation.
• Orients prospective participants for the purpose of establishing familiarity with program, services, and required processes.
• Participates in workshops, meetings, community events, etc. for the purpose of receiving and/or presenting information.
• Plans and facilitates family meetings and parent involvement events for the purpose of providing for family support needs and complying with program regulations.
• Provides outreach to low income communities, community leaders and organizations for the purpose of recruiting families to Head Start, developing resources, and building partnerships with community members.
• Provides or assists with providing health screenings, immunization verifications, and outside agency referrals for the purpose of promoting needed treatment and complying with program requirements.
• Recruits selects and enrolls eligible children for the purpose of maintaining full enrollment and serving families most in need of services according to federal guidelines.
• Reports suspected incidents (e.g. physical, sexual and/or substance abuse, contagious diseases, etc.) to appropriate parties for the purpose of maintaining students’ personal health and safety and adhering to Education Code, district and/or school policies.
• Visits children's homes for the purpose of enrolling students in program, interviewing parents, informing parents/students of school and/or community resources and providing child development and parenting information.

Other Functions

• Assist other personnel as may be required for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment.

JOB-SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES
COMMUNITY AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT: Demonstrates knowledge and expertise related to engaging with stakeholders, including children, families and communities, to promote wellness and self-sufficiency.
COURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS: Engages in uncomfortable or difficult conversations to explore others’ views in order to gain a shared understanding.
PERSISTENCE AND RESILIENCE: Steadily working toward Agency goals and remaining encouraged while navigating challenges and obstacles. Ability to stay engaged and present during difficulties and demonstrates capacity to effectively work through challenges.
PLANNING, ORGANIZATION, AND PRIORITIZATION: Assesses the work to be performed, and considers how it should be organized and accomplished, with appropriate priorities and realistic time parameters.
RECORDKEEPING AND DOCUMENTATION: Gathers, organizes, and maintains records, following confidential information and security protocols as needed. Accurately documents relevant/essential actions, processes, and practices.

• Associate’s degree or higher in human services, social services, family services, or counseling; or a related degree and 30 or more job-related credits; or a Family Development Certificate (completion within 6 months of hire date)
• Experience working with culturally diverse families
• Professional experience with Case Work
• Demonstrates an understanding and commitment to using a racial equity lens

• Experience working in a childhood setting
• Experience with Community Based Organization, Grassroots Movements, and/or working with and for Social Justice
• Experience with Head Start reporting and administrative tasks
• Bilingual speaking ability through Spanish language.