LAKE-GEAUGA UNITED HEAD START, INC.
POSITION: Family Advocate
CLASSIFICATION: Regular Full-Time Program Year Employee, Bargaining Unit
SUPERVISOR: Site
Administrator
POSITION
SUMMARY
Provides support to families and children in their attempts
to attain self-sufficiency and kindergarten readiness by serving as a liaison
between families, staff and the local community. Recruits and enrolls eligible families.
DUTIES
AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1.
Acts as primary
contact for enrolled families while their children are enrolled in Head Start.
2.
Recruits and
enrolls children, including completion of all necessary paperwork.
3.
Maintains files
for all active children containing all program related information.
4.
Maintains files
for children on waiting lists, transfers, withdrawals and terminations.
5.
Ensures continued
full enrollment for each classroom on caseload.
6.
Tracks required
and needed health services for children while enrolled in the program including
medical home, up to date immunization, up to date EPSDT schedule and any needed
follow-up services.
7.
Makes referrals
and assists with access to needed health care and follow-up care.
8.
Ensures that
family assets and needs are identified and that supportive, mutually agreeable
goals are established in a family partnership agreement.
9.
Ensures that
families are aware of community services and resources and know how to access
them.
10. Assists parents in accessing community resources as
needed.
11. Has regular contact with all families on caseload,
either in writing, by phone or in person.
12. Documents all family contacts and files information
in child files regularly.
13. Encourages parent participation at the center, assisting
with parent committee meetings and encouraging policy council involvement.
14. Assists parents with transportation requests as
needed and communications with appropriate staff regarding transportation needs
of the family.
15. Serve as an advocate for the LGUHS, Inc. program by
serving on committees and participating in community activities.
16. Submits accurate and complete time sheets to
supervisor bi-weekly or as requested.
17. Promotes Lake-Geauga United Head Start, Inc. in the community and
recruits children for the program as appropriate.
18. Encourages in-kind donations through communication
with the parents or community.
19. Attends training and meetings as required by program
calendar, supervisor, Executive Director, or professional development plan or
as required by state or federal law.
20. Other duties as assigned.
21. Mandatory participation in annual self-assessment if
selected.
KNOWLEDGE,
SKILLS, ABILITIES:
1.
The employee must know
and adhere to:
·
Head Start
Performance Standards
·
ODJFS Licensing
Rules
·
LGUHS Family and
Community Partnership policies and procedures
·
State of Ohio
EPSDT schedule
2.
The employee must be
skilled in:
·
Developing
positive working relationships with families and community
·
Handling crisis
situations
·
Assessing family
strengths and needs and developing relevant goals
·
Time management
·
Recognizing and
reporting child abuse
3.
The employee must be
able to:
·
Lift at least 30
pounds
·
Sit for long
periods of time
·
See and hear
without significant impairment
·
Bend without
trouble
·
Walk without
trouble
·
Climb steps
easily
·
Work with others
·
Use basic
equipment such as photocopier, telephone, fax machine
·
Use computer
equipment, including web-based programs
·
Pass employment
physical including TB test every two years
·
Pass initial and
regular drug screens
WORKING
CONDITIONS:
Tasks may involve unplanned or procedure specific
exposure to body fluids and possible exposure to communicable diseases. Risk involved with periodic travel on main
highways and rural roads.
MINIMUM
QUALIFICATIONS:
1. GRADE
A: High School Diploma or
equivalent with 5 years experience
GRADE
I: Associate Degree in Social
Services
GRADE II: Baccalaureate Degree in Social
Services or related field
GRADE III: Baccalaureate
Degree in Social Services or related field with LSW certification or higher
2.
Valid Ohio
Driver’s License with proof of insurance
3.
Clean criminal
background supported by background check (fingerprints)
4.
Eligible to work
in the
5.
Completed first
aid, communicable disease and CPR courses, or ability to complete courses.
Refer
to current Bargaining Agreement and/or subsequent wage re-openers to the
current agreement.
Revised 7/2007