Family Service Advocate

Do you enjoy working with local families? Come join CommUnify’s team! Our agency provides employees with a positive work environment with the ability to balance work & home. We provide excellent benefits that include: medical, dental, vision/sick, vacation & holiday pay/Retirement Plan with a 5% match.

This position is full-time with full benefits and starts out between $16.30 – $17.35 per hour working in the Santa Maria area at the Alvin Head Start Center.

The Family Service Advocate is responsible for recruitment of children, parent orientations, Home Visits, referral of parents to community resources and local social services agencies. Creates and keeps all sections of child/family files and referral records up to date. Partners with families in a strength bases approach. Monitors the changes in each family’s need, and their qualification, for services. Supports families in the development of a Family Partnership Agreement. Works closely with Site Supervisors, Program Support Specialists, and Enrollment staff to assure required paperwork is complete, and that timelines are met. Networks with other agencies to maintain updated resources and information for the families.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Other duties may be assigned.

• Recruits and assists with enrollment of eligible children into the Head Start program; orients parents to the goals and objectives of Head Start.
• Supports enrolled families; helps to identify needs, strengths, and concerns; links families with appropriate referral systems and services.
• Provides information and orientates families to the health program and its requirements; assists families in locating source of health and dental care and encourages their involvement in the health care system; participates, as needed with special health screenings and assists in the maintenance of accurate health records.
• Translates as necessary or when needed.
• Facilitates the development of family partnership agreements, and partners with assigned families to support each family’s success towards reaching their goals.
• Makes home visits to conduct family interviews, identify strengths and needs, and refer families to the appropriate Head Start staff and/or outside agencies if needed.
• Transports parents and/or children to meetings, health, and other service appointments, when necessary.
• Works with Site Supervisor to coordinate center activities and plan parent meetings. Provides participants with support and encouragement, and assists, as needed, with site projects.
• Maintains accurate and complete documentation, in both ChildPlus and the Family File.
• Completes reports and follow-up to meet all deadlines with the Site Supervisor.
• Keeps up to date information of community agencies, resources, workshops and classes; encourages parent participation in program and community events.
• Be a ready resource for co-workers/ classroom staff.
• Makes presentations at parent meetings on pertinent subjects including community resources.
• Develops notices/flyers, monthly calendar, and other written material for distribution to families.
• Will work as a positive team member with other staff to provide quality, strength-based services to families at the Center.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities at Level I

• Completes a minimum of 30 hours of mentoring with an assigned mentor staff within the first 3 months of hire.
• Makes presentations at parent meetings on pertinent subjects including community resources, under the guidance of the Site Supervisor or another seasoned staff.
• Completion of the Family Development Credential Program within the first 2 years of employment.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities at Level II (including Level I)

• Mentors new staff and less experienced workers.
• Makes presentations at parent meetings on pertinent subjects including community resources independently and with minimum supervision.
• Acts as a liaison with local community organizations and participates in community collaborations (i.e.: Healthy Start, School Readiness, Food Bank, Shelter Services, etc.)
• Demonstrates ability in analyzing Family Outcomes Data and ChildPlus reports and support the Site Supervisor in the development of an action plan for the center.
• Completes the Family Development Credential Program as part of their job training.

Education and/or Experience

Level I:  Equivalent to graduation from high school; and one year of experience as a volunteer or paid employee providing direct services to low income children and families of diverse cultural backgrounds OR Twelve units of college-level course work in Child Development/Social Work or related field and experience in client casework and/or client eligibility work in a social services setting. Family Services Worker Level I certificate desirable.

Level II: Equivalent to graduation from high school; and three years experience in client casework and/or client eligibility work in a social services setting or related field.

Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Spreadsheet software and Word Processing software.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Current valid California Driver’s license and appropriate insurance per Agency requirements. Must have reliable transportation with an acceptable driving record as determined by agency.

Other Skills and Abilities: Ability to speak, read & write fluent Spanish required. Provide verification of State required vaccines upon hire for: Influenza (from August 1 to December 1), Pertussis, and Measles.  Acceptable verifications include immunization record and physician statement.  Exceptions to vaccinations: Flu can be waived by completing annual waiver.

Please note: CommUnify has a mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy with ability to request a vaccination accommodation due to medical or religious reasons.

CommUnify, AA/EOE