Family Advocate

Job Code: 21-1093

Salary: $17.44 - $25.45

Status: Full Time, Non-Exempt, Permanent

Location: Early Learning Center

Department: Education

Reports To: Family Services Coordinator

Telecommute: No

Fleet: Yes

Mandated Reporter: Yes

Background: PL 101-630 & NYS OCFS

Summary: Under the direction of the Early Learning Center (ELC) Family Services Coordinator, the Family Services Advocate creates, provides, and coordinates services and activities with families and communities that foster strength, healthy living, and overall well-being. Family Servies Advocate also provides support on a case-by-case basis and act as a liaison between families, staff, the community, and other family-related services. The Family Services Advocate encourages all family members to become advocates for their children and family. The Family Services Advocate will assist in the process of Enrollment, Recruitment, Selection, Eligibility and Attendance of Head Start Students, ensuring that the ELC complies with all regulations per applicable Performance Standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following: 

Adhere to all standards and practices as stated in the SRMT policies and procedures, Head Start Performance Standards, NYS OCFS Child Care Licensing and all other applicable regulations pertaining to health, safety and sanitation.

Mandated Reporter: Must become a mandated reporter prior to having contact with children in a job-related capacity and maintain that status throughout employment. This includes completing any necessary training and adhering to all reporting obligations as defined by applicable laws and tribal policies. 

• Responsible for establishing a relationship with families and act as a liaison between families and the community.
• Conducts initial home visit to establish a rapport with families and at least two home visits throughout the school year and maintains documentation.
• Assist in providing parents opportunities and support for growth so they can identify their own strengths, needs and resources to find their own solutions.
• Assist in the completion of the Family Partnership Agreement and ensure it is reviewed throughout the year as a guide to help families reassess their needs.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with community agencies for referrals for children and families.
• Assist in identifying and recruiting Head Start-eligible families and children, including children with disabilities.
• Orient families to the Head Start program according to the established orientation plan.
• Provide follow-up documentation and conversations with families when children are absent.
• Support parent/guardian involvement in the Head Start Program.
• Ensure files and data are kept up to date.
• Keeps track of all In-Kind donations and completes a monthly report.
• Works alongside Family Services Coordinator to ensure the monthly report is completed.
• Assist in the completion of the Annual Program Information Report (PIR.)
• Helps to ensure that the Parent Activities, meetings and educational nights are occurring and attends each of them to support families.
• Promotes opportunities for fatherhood initiatives.
• All other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: There are no supervisor requirements for this position.

Qualification Requirements: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Due to the sensitive nature of information obtained, must maintain strict confidentiality at all times.

• Knowledge of Mohawk Language and traditions is considered an asset.
• Knowledge of the Head Start Program.
• Must obtain credential or certificate in social work, human services, family services, counseling or related field within 18 months of hire.

Education and/or Experience: 

• A high school diploma or GED and
• A minimum of one-year experience in working in the Early Childhood field/or Family Services.

Other Skills and Abilities: Strong oral and written communication skills required. Must have excellent computer skills including Word, Excel, and experience with varying databases.

Performance Expectations:

• Exhibit a friendly and courteous manner when dealing with our employees, fellow associates, parents and community members.
• Establish and maintain effective and healthy working relationships with others, including staff, family members and others who may be under distress or duress.
• Promote a positive image of the ELC through healthy relationships with the families and employees served by the program.
• Foster a climate of respect and integrity, communicate effectively with program staff, families and children.
• Be able to deal with crisis situations. Deal with hostile, aggressive persons or situations.
• Will assist in maintaining a safe workplace environment.
• Must not knowingly, carelessly, or recklessly divulge any information or documentation which has to come to their attention as an employee of the Tribe and which it is the duty of the employee to keep confidential; or knowingly, carelessly, or recklessly divulges any information of a personal nature relation to fellow employees or clients.

Reasoning Ability: The Family Services Advocate shall have the ability to research funding opportunities, gather information and utilize this information to deliver quality programming to the children at the ELC.

• To ensure the rights and needs of the children are the highest priority, while also recognizing the need of the family members.
• Ability to recognize when to call the NYS OCFS Hotline in the event of an incident involving a parent, other staff member, or any other adult and a child under the care of the ELC.
• To provide the needed financial resources that will benefit families and children.
• To contribute to the ongoing review, evaluation and modification of services as needed by the community, families and children.
• To provide information about the services of the program to the community.
• To engage staff in cooperative problem solving, planning and continuing evaluation of themselves and the program.
• To work in collaboration with all staff at the ELC and other Tribal programs to deliver quality programming to the children in the Head Start and Child Care Programs.

Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license in accordance with the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Fleet Policy.  

The successful candidate must pass a drug test and background check prior to employment.