Head Start Family Advocate

Description:

Summary:  The Family Advocate serves as a link between families and the Head Start program.  The Family Advocate carries out policies and procedures of the FCP functional area as well as OFB policies and procedures. 

Responsibilities:

Recruit children for the Head Start program, complete enrollments and follow through on all paperwork

Assist families in coping with problems, makes referrals to community agencies as needed

Serve as a liaison between the family and the center and provide background information for other staff members as needed

Assist families in obtaining medical and dental appraisals and referrals

Coordinate, assist, and serve as a resource person to parent committees, also attend bi-weekly team meetings

Support and encourage parent involvement through the program and cooperate with other components in planning workshops and other activities for parents

Implement Family & Community partnership plan and maintain Family & Community Partnership Records

Establish effective procedures to involve parents, serve as an advocate for the parent

Assist in updating community resource list

Know and practice Head Start goal, guidelines and objectives

Visit and observe in classroom one or two times a week

Work with families representing different cultures using a culturally competent and respectful perspective

Make at least 3-4 home visits a year after completion of Family Community Partnership Agreement (* Please note:  Home visits will vary according to need specified by family)

Required to abide in confidentiality policies and procedures

Attend trainings including occasionally going out of town

Maintain collaboration between HCA Family Service Worker and Head Start to complete mandated paperwork, and on-going team relationship between agencies

Qualifications: