Family Service Advocate

Do you enjoy working with local families? Come join CommUnify’s team as a Family Service Advocate!

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.

Our agency provides employees with a positive work environment and the ability to balance work & home along with excellent benefits. Our benefit package includes: medical, dental, vision, life insurance including sick, vacation, and personal leave with 11 paid holiday’s and a fully vested retirement plan with an up to 5% match.

This position is full-time with full benefits and starts out between $17.25 – $19.50 per hour working in the Lompoc area at the Chestnut Head Start Center.

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.

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.

Strong computer skills. Valid California Driver’s license and appropriate insurance per Agency requirements. Must have reliable transportation with an acceptable driving record as determined by agency. Ability to speak, read & write fluent Spanish required.

Apply directly online via this link: www.communifysb.org/jobs OR contact agency recruiter for assistance or any questions you may have.

CommUnify, AA/EOE