Family Advocate - Othello at Inspire… · Othello

Position is responsible to ensure families meet eligibility criteria to receive social and health related program services. Within an assigned caseload, interview clients individually, in family, or in other small groups to determine child and family needs to support and mobilize inner capacities and obtain community resources to improve social, health and mental health functioning, as required by Head Start and/or ECEAP Performance Standards. Participate in the development of Individual Education Plan (I.E.P.) and Individual Family Service Plans (IFSP).

Distinguishing Characteristics

Inspire Development Centers provides early Childhood Education (ECE) and social services to 3,110 children in a center-based and home-based setting, at more than 25 Child Development Centers (CDC) throughout the State of Washington. At these sites, Inspire employs over 1,000 staff on a $52 million annual budget. Inspire provides these services under various federal and state funded programs with differing regulations and stipulations, which must be coordinated and adhered to, including, but not limited to: Regional Head Start (RHS), Migrant Seasonal Head Start (MSHS), Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP), and Early Head Start (EHS). The organization is required to meet an annual quota of non-federal share (in-kind) funds. A large majority of children’s first language is Spanish. Over the past 40 years, Inspire has strategically and incrementally increased its capacity to address the rapidly changing needs of its families and communities.

Supervisory and Other Relationships

The Family Advocate reports to the Center Manager and works closely with Program Support, Compliance Specialists, Registered Nurses, Core Team, Center Staff, Parents and with and around children.

Examples of Essential Duties and Accountabilities

The following examples of duties and accountabilities illustrate the general range of tasks assigned to the position but are not intended to define the limits of required duties. Other essential duties may be assigned consistently with the general scope of the position.

Establish and maintain an ongoing recruitment process that will ensure enrollment of eligible children under the different funding sources of criteria, including children with disabilities and severe disabilities.

Responsible for eligibility verification of children and families, maintaining an up-to-date waiting list, selecting and enrolling children based on established criteria. Responsible for inputting all family and child data into database systems.

Responsible for reviewing daily attendance and entering attendance results into database systems. Contacts parents and assist with attendance plan if necessary.

Perform a strength and needs assessment and develop progress goals with all participating families in order to systematically provide assistance to members in their efforts to help themselves. Make ongoing entries in child/parent files regarding progress of activities, services, and/or concerns. Conduct home visits as stated on the Service Plan.

Develop local community partnerships to maintain resources for families. Contact program participants to provide information about the center and other available services, such as employment, education, welfare, health, legal services, housing, and training. Maintain a continuous line of communication between center and the community,

Contact parents using a variety of media to motivate and interest them in attending PCC and Parent meetings. Follow-up on parent training requested. Provide transportation to PC Representatives as needed to attend Policy Council meetings.

Prepare and present training for parents and staff on relevant component areas. Participate in center level meetings such as staffing, core team, staff, and transitioning meetings. Organize local training from local interests in skill building training.

Responsible to ensure all processes for Mental Health and Disabilities are followed and implemented, including, but not limited to the following: Make referrals for mental health and disabilities and assist families in identifying and accessing mental health services. Review ASQ screening scores to ensure referrals are not missed and verify that the correct screening tool is used based on the child’s chronological age. Schedule mental health observations, consultations, training, and orientation services with contractors. Participate in the development of Individual Education Plan (I.E.P.) and Individual Family Service Plans (IFSP). Coordinate and implement Severe Disability staffing as needed.

Health: Complete enrollment of health packets and basic non-invasive health screenings for children enrolled at the center. Perform immunization reviews and follow up on Well Child and Dental exams. Make health, dental and nutrition referrals as needed, and schedule corresponding staffing as needed. Dispense medications as authorized and treat minor injuries and illness.

Professional Development: Shows interest in furthering professional growth by attending staff meetings, workshops, trainings and seminars.

In-Kind Contributions: Responsible for contributing in any procedure or activity that fosters the contribution of in-kind funds, through the request of goods, services, cash donations, and/or through encouraging professional, community members and parents to volunteer time to the program.

Confidentiality: Maintains confidentiality of program and clients related information at all times.

Minimum Qualifications

Incumbents are required to demonstrate knowledge and abilities in these areas:

Associate’s or higher degree with the equivalent of 30 quarter credits in adult education, human development, human services, family support, social work, early childhood education, child development, psychology or another field directly related to job responsibilities. The 30 credits may be included in the degree or in addition to the degree; or a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling or a related field (Family Development Credential); (*) High School Diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate and must obtain Initial/CDA/AA in ECE or related field;

English/Spanish bi-lingual, speaking/reading/writing fluency;

Extensive knowledge and understanding of child development theories and practices;

Experience working in a federally funded and regulated environment;

Experience in policy and procedure processes;

Experience in facilitating groups;

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;

Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills;

Experience in family concerns and risk management;

Understanding of the interrelationships between services and systems;

Ability to learn new tasks quickly and efficiently;

Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines;

Ability to gather and analyze data for reports;

Strong customer service focus;

Ability to work with culturally diverse population;

Proficiency with personal computer, including Microsoft Office; and

Accurate data management, documentation, and recordkeeping skills.

These skills and abilities are typically acquired through a combination of education, experience, and training which would include at least two (2) years' work related experience. This combination will provide the competence to perform the work of the position. (*) Candidates who do not meet the minimal education requirement must meet this requirement within eighteen (18) months of hire in role.

ECEAP QUALIFICATIONS (must meet one of the following qualifications): - Employment in the same position in the same agency before July 1, 1999; - Associate’s or higher degree with the equivalent of 30 quarter credits in adult education, human development, human services, family support, social work, early childhood education, child development, psychology or another field directly related to job responsibilities. The 30 credits may be included in the degree or in addition to the degree. Candidates who do not meet the ECEAP qualifications would need to be on a Professional Development Plan (PDP) to meet these qualifications within five (5) years.

These skills and abilities are typically acquired through a combination of education, experience, and training which would include at least two (2) years work related experience. This combination will provide the competence to perform the work of the position. (*) Candidates who do not meet the minimal education requirement must meet this requirement within eighteen (18) months of hire in role.

Preferred Qualifications

BA in ECE and/or related field

Previous Head Start / ECEAP experience, working knowledge of Performance Standards.

Knowledge of federal, state and private social service programs available to agriculture worker population.

Position Requirements

Incumbents are required to have the following:

Must be at least 18 years of age;

Valid Washington State driver’s license;

Must provide a yearly driving abstract;

Must maintain acceptable driving history;

Ability to travel to perform job duties and responsibilities;

Must pass initial and periodic background check;

MMR immunization record or proof of immunity;

Subject to drug and/or alcohol testing per IDC Drug and Alcohol policy;

Must pass initial and periodic employee health clearance; (present it within forty-five (45) days of employment);

Current Food Handler card; (obtain the training within thirty (30) days of employment);

Current First Aid / CPR cards, (obtain the training within thirty (30) days of employment);

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV / AIDS) training, (obtain the training within thirty (30) days of employment);

Blood Borne Pathogen training, (obtain the training within thirty (30) days of employment);

Must sign a Confidentiality Agreement; and

Must complete and/all required training related to the position.

Work Environment & Physical/Mental Demands

The role requires physical presence and adaptability to changing situations, patience when working with children, and the ability to respond promptly to emergencies or instructions. Team collaboration and effective communication with staff, children, and families are essential.

Work is performed at the Child Development Center, prioritizing a safe and healthy learning environment. Time is spent travelling locally ensuring that the family needs are assessed and addressed, and center recruitment needs are met.

The demands and abilities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Ability to sit, stand, walk, balance, stoop, catch, move to music, and run, occurrence is frequent;

Ability to communicate in person, or via telephone or video conference, occurrence is frequent;

Ability to lift and/ or move up to forty (40) pounds, occurrence is occasional;

Ability to restrain child, occurrence is occasional;

Ability to push/pull, kneel, bend, taste or smell, occurrence is occasional;

Ability to travel, locally and statewide, occurrence is frequent;

Ability to travel out of state, occurrence is occasional;

Ability to write and keyboard, occurrence is frequent;

Ability to read, occurrence is frequent;

Ability to use hands to finger, handle, feel or move objects, tools or controls, reach with hands and arms, occurrence is frequent;

Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus, occurrence is frequent;

Handles cleaning/sterilizing agents, occurrence is occasional;

Ability to adjust to noise level that is usually quiet to moderate; and

Incumbent frequently exposed to moderate temperatures generally encountered in a controlled environment.

Benefits Information

A summary of benefits associated with this position can be found at https://inspirecenters.org/careers/. Temporary employees are not eligible for benefits.