Home Based Family Advocate

The Head Start/Early Head Start Home Based Family Advocate supports families with children between the ages of 0-5 years old by encouraging family engagement, child development, and overall family well-being through weekly home visits. During home visits, the home visitor provides learning experiences for the child and supports the parents to actively engage in the activities of the home visit to promote school readiness for every child in the program. The home visitor conducts screenings of the children, assists parents in goal setting and provides information and resources to ensure every child and family is successful in the program. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Assists HS/EHS families in assigned service area.

Provides all HS/EHS families with weekly 90-minute home visits.

Carries a caseload consisting of 10 to 12 families and children.

Meets the needs of working parents in the evenings, as needed.

Organizes and maintains caseload files required to meet all state, federal, and local requirements.

Enters data and documentation into assigned data bases weekly.

Possess and demonstrate strong working knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards and developmentally appropriate practices.

Initiates and maintains intensive, flexible, comprehensive, and responsive home visits to families of infants and toddlers enrolled in home-based program.

Conducts weekly observations of parent-child interaction and child development for assessment.

Maintains professional boundaries and assures the confidentiality of information regarding children, families, and coworkers.

Assists in strengthening the parent-child relationship.

Assists parents in improving their skills to optimize the home environment.

Assists in improving the family support system.

Assists in increasing the family’s ability to problem solve and assumes the role of advocate for themselves and their children.

Assists families in identification of goals for Individualized Family Partnership Agreement (IFPA) and implementation of goals.

Assists families in identification of developmental goals for the enrolled children for School Readiness Plans

Screens HS/EHS children for normal growth and development.

Demonstrates respect for the capabilities, backgrounds and cultural differences of families, children, coworkers, and the public consistent with trauma informed practices to form trusting relationships.

Respects the rights of all individuals served regardless of race, color, religion, or disability.

Consistently addresses children, families, community member and co-workers in a courteous, pleasant, and respectful manner.

Consistently maintains and promotes excellence in services though open and honest relationships with parents, and co-worker.

Serves as a resource to low-income families to identify needs and refer to other supportive agencies.

Facilitate monthly socialization activities in partnership with other home visitors and families and organizes and assists with monthly parent meetings.

Obtain required program certifications.

Maintain educational requirements associated with each credential.

Accepts and willingly carries out special assignments, as directed by Home Visitor Supervisor

Collaborates with other agencies involved with families- including First Steps and CWS by supporting the goals of the family with those agencies and attending transitional meetings or conducting co-visits with other providers.

Follows the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Code of Ethical Conduct.

Completes training as stated by CHS policy HRD-P-022 – Training.

Responsible for promoting a positive Safety Culture is expected and necessary to make CHS a safe place in which to work. Safe work practices and policies for this position shall be reviewed and strictly followed. Additional Assignments and Specific Duties: if applicable The common essential duties and responsibilities described above apply to all individuals holding this job title. The following individual duties as they apply to your specific job assignment. Bilingual Home Visitor

Spanish/English

Works with Spanish speaking families. Spanish – English bilingual capacity a must.

Support the development of the home language for dual language learners such as having culturally and linguistically appropriate materials available and other evidence-based strategies that recognize bilingualism and biliteracy as strengths.

Conduct screenings and assessments for domains other than language skills in the language or languages that best capture the child’s development and skills.

Conduct family engagement services and Home Visits in the family’s preferred language.

Provide translation services for families interested in or enrolled in the program to help support their full enrollment and participation in EHS services, including policy council and parent meetings.

Support the program needs for translation of documents, materials, and recruitment activities.

Supports the ERSEA team by participating in recruitment events and completing intake and enrollment processes for Spanish speaking families.

Provides non-supervisory support and peer mentorship to home visitors in their approach to bilingual services to children and families.

Required education and experience:

• Associates degree
• Excellent Excel, Access, Word, and PowerPoint skills.
• Strong communication skills both written and verbal.
• Must obtain Class E driver’s license within 30 days of starting.
• Must provide proof of personal valid vehicle insurance (all applicants).
• TB Assessment and/or requirements
• Background screening to include fingerprinting is required. PREFERRED EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE:
• Experience in the delivery of family-centered services to infants, toddlers, and families and early childhood education is preferred.
• Knowledge of child health, safety, and nutrition along with adult learning principles and family dynamics is preferred.
• Knowledge of Child plus and Parents as Teachers curriculum. SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 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 to complete the essential duties and responsibilities of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Ability to collaborate and work with other home visitors.
• Ability to obtain required certifications- Infant Massage, Parents as Teachers, and Doula.
• Ability to problem solve and think critically.
• Ability to work independently, manage a caseload and complete documentation on time.
• Knowledge of child development for the years of 0-5 COMPETENCIES: Accurate Listening Attention to Detail Attitude Towards Others Conceptual Thinking Developing Others Empathetic Outlook Gaining commitment Relating to Others PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Include the physical requirements that the employee needs to perform the essential duties and responsibilities. Some examples can be found below:
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.