Family Advocate(Willard) at Norris Square Civic Association – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

General Summary of the Position: The Family Advocate plays a crucial role in supporting families enrolled in the Head Start program. They serve as a liaison between families and the program, providing essential resources, guidance, and support to ensure the well-being and success of both children and parents. The Family Advocate serves as the primary point of contact for enrolled families, offering support and guidance to address their needs and concerns.

Primary Responsibilities/ Tasks:

1. Ensure program eligibility and compliance with mandated regulations in ERSEA, CACFP Family, and Community Engagement.
2. Guarantee 100% full enrollment of caseload and ensures that vacancies are filled within 30 calendar days.
3. Maintain and update monthly waiting lists.
4. Follow up with families lacking documentation through phone calls, home visits, and other methods, documenting all efforts to obtain missing items and ensuring timely submission of required information and agency reports.
5. Monitors daily attendance ensuring that caseloads are in compliance with the 85% average daily attendance.
6. Develop, monitor, and follow up with attendance support plans to address chronic absenteeism, and to collaborate with families to overcome barriers to attendance and promote regular participation in the program.
7. Contact families within one hour after a child's scheduled arrival, to reduce absenteeism and ensure children's safety.
8. Handles phone calls, emails, and home visits to address various child and family concerns.
9. Work closely with parents to create and execute family partnership agreement plans aligned with their objectives and ambitions, while also aiding families in establishing and attaining economic stability and mobility goals.
10. Ensure 100% of families have an Economic Mobility Plan/ family Partnership Agreement in place and monitor progress towards meeting goals, aiming for an 80% success rate.
11. Conduct regular check-ins with families to assess their needs and provide assistance as required.
12. Connect families with resources and programs that support their economic mobility goals.
13. Plan, Coordinate and Participate in all community and agency wide outreach events.
14. Organize, coordinate, and actively participate in family meetings, workshops, trainings, and all parental involvement events including the facilitation and delivery of the parent curriculum.
15. Guarantees the establishment and active participation of parent committees and/or policy council.
16. Ensure accurate and timely completion of data entry across all database platforms for regular reporting purposes.
17. Ensure the accuracy and the completion of annual PIR data.
18. Complete any other duties as assigned by the Lead Family advocate and Center Director.

Organizational Competencies:

Leadership:

• Takes initiative and is empowered to lead within the position.
• Influences others in a positive way.

Customer Service:

• Complies with the service expectations of internal and external stakeholders (results oriented).
• Assertive communication with others (verbal, not verbal and written)

Productivity:

• Oriented to high efficiency and quality standards.
• Committed to compliance with deadlines with diligence.
• Demonstrates accountability.

Innovation:

• Incorporates technology to day-to-day processes to drive results with efficiency.
• Promotes creative solutions to problems.
• Propose new ideas to improve the processes.

Teamwork:

• Demonstrates the ability to adjust to situations of change in a positive manner.
• Promotes interaction with others based on respect, courtesy, transparent communication, and optimism.
• Values the opinion of others and listen to different perspectives.

Qualifications and Experience Requirements:

• Minimum of a Family Service Credential (Associate's or bachelor's in social work, human services, psychology, counseling or closely related field preferred.)
• Experience working with Children and families in a social services or educational setting.
• Knowledge of community resources and services available to families.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations and build trusting relationships.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Proficiency in maintaining accurate records, case notes, and documentation.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations and build trusting relationships.
• Ability to converse, read and write Spanish and English (preferred).
• Intermediate to advanced computer skills, internet, and e-mail.
• Ability to secure clearance for PA Child Abuse, PA Criminal History, FBI, and National Sex Offenders Clearance (required).
• Possess or ability to secure a Driver’s License and insurance (preferred).
• Ability to secure health clearances every two years and TB once (required).
• Proficiency in Excel, Powe point and Microsoft Office, Salesforce.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds
• Ability to climb steps.