Head Start Family Advocate
 Allegheny Intermediate Unit | |
The starting salary for this position is 26, 306 with full benefits.
EPO plans for a single person is only $5.00 per pay and $30 per pay for a family. This price include dental and vision benefits.
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 United States, Pennsylvania, Tarentum | |
 Nov 17, 2024 | |
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Position Summary:
This position is accountable for managing Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment and Attendance (ERSEA) activities for the Head Start Program. This accountability includes goal-planning, engagement and assessment for all children and families interested and involved in the Head Start program. By leveraging strengths in AIU's Core Competencies, the Family Advocate works closely with staff to provide families with a positive experience in engaging their children in AIU's educational programs and activities. Competencies Core Competencies: Accountability - Understanding of the importance of being accountable and ability to focus on those activities that have the greatest impact on meeting work commitments. Effective Communication - Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors. Establishing and Maintaining Trust - Knowledge of methods and ability to develop trusting business relationships and provide solicited, respected and valued perspectives to clients/peers that guide thinking, facilitate issue resolution and enhance client/peer capabilities. Teamwork - Knowledge of the necessity and value of teamwork; experience with and ability to participate effectively as part of a team. Professionalism and Ethics - Knowledge of and ability to demonstrate professionalism and integrity in all aspects of conduct and appearance, and adherence to applicable codes of practice-including confidentiality. In addition, must have ability to comply with the AIU Conduct Policy. Job-Specific Competencies: Partnering for Clients' Success - Knowledge of and insight into clients' key objectives and ability to work and think alongside clients to achieve clients' current and future aspirations and successes. Empowerment - Knowledge of empowerment strategies and ability to create an environment that supports autonomy, decision-making and personal growth. Accuracy & Attention to Detail - Understanding of the necessity and value of accuracy and attention to detail; ability to process information with high levels of accuracy. Flexibility & Adaptability - Knowledge of successful approaches, tools, and techniques for dealing with changes and adapting to a changing environment; ability to adapt as needed. Duties and Responsibilities: 1. Recruit and enroll eligible Head Start families across all program models, maintain a prioritized waiting list for replacement of potential Head Start children, and follow-up with withdrawal procedures in accordance with program policies. 2. Complete, maintain, and submit to Family Support Specialist as appropriate, monthly reports, web-based data entry and retrieval, Family Partnership Agreements, withdrawals and replacement forms, travel vouchers, and assessments on enrolled families. Maintain appropriate documentation of family contacts. 3. Schedule a minimum of two home visits per year with families across all models, individual visit or in conjunction with the child's teacher or Early Learning Consultant. Promote ongoing communication with classroom staff by scheduling regular visits and follow-up to address absence concerns in classroom. 4. Organize and structure local parent groups. Facilitate Local Parent Meetings, elections and training officers. Conduct monthly parent meetings in which parents are clustered from all program models. Plan activities at varying times of the day and week, in order to meet the needs of families and encourage the participation of as many parents as possible. 5. Inform parents of the different volunteer roles and parent involvement opportunities that are available within the Head Start program. Assist parents in forming partnerships with family literacy and adult education programs, training programs, fatherhood opportunities, and employment service programs. 6. Maintain regularly scheduled weekly visitations to the classrooms and/or provider site and sign in and out of each site. 7. Work together with the staff to develop a process for parents to make suggestions, individually or in groups, on topics relevant to their personal goals, activities for their children, and educational programs. 8. Provide parents with information about programs and services available to children with disabilities, and in particular, the right of all children to a free and appropriate public education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). 9. Reports to the Family Services Specialist or designee. 10. Contributes to the success of the AIU by performing all other duties as assigned. Qualifications 1. Education: B.A. /B.S. degree in Social Services, Human Services, Counseling or a related field, preferred. Associates degree in Social Services, Human Services, Counseling, or Associates degree and a Strength's-based Family Worker Credential required. | |