Action for Boston Community Development, Inc.
Family Advocate
Action for Boston Community Development, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, us, 02298
Overview
Family Advocate role at Action for Boston Community Development, Inc. (ABCD). Department: Head Start and Children's Services. Location: Parker Hill. Compensation: $21.93 - $28.62 / hour. Description: To promote family wellness and parent engagement programs in order to support the implementation of the family partnership process. Work as a liaison between classroom and home settings in the area of education, child development and mental health. Provide support, referrals, advocacy and up to date record maintenance for assigned families. The Family Advocate is responsible for promoting the mission of ABCD Head Start & Children’s Services; building an understanding of the program by communicating this mission to staff, families and the community. All ABCD Head Start/Early Head Start and Children’s Services personnel who work with children are mandated by law to report all suspected cases of child abuse and neglect to the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF), pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 119 §§ 51A – 51G. Any staff member who suspects child abuse or neglect must inform their supervisor immediately. The responsibilities of a particular position may support both Early Head Start and Head Start depending on the individual assignment. The specific corresponding funding allocation will be documented on the payroll authorization or change of status form. Communications may be sensitive and are subject to Head Start's policy on confidentiality. Key Responsibilities
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Family Partnership Building (up to 35%)
Welcome families into the program and share information about transitioning into Head Start. Ensure families are full partners in their own and their children’s development and learning by helping families develop and reach realistic and achievable long and short term goals. Engage families in assessing their needs and strengths, and supporting them in taking actions to reach their goals. Monitor progress on Family Partnership goals for all assigned families. Promote partnership and maintain relationships with families through ongoing frequent communication including but not limited to phone calls, group activity, home visits, informal contacts and classroom visits. Provide assistance to families in addressing challenges by discussing issues and/or linking them to community resources, including but not limited to mental illness, substance abuse, housing, employment, disabilities, family violence, etc. Prepare and distribute follow up information to assist families in a timely manner. Assist with all transitions of child and family. Promote family literacy. Work with parents to establish and maintain regular attendance for their child. Make family home visits to conduct family interviews, identify needs and refer families to the appropriate Head Start staff and/or outside agencies. Parent Engagement and Community Engagement (Up to 25%)
Provide support in parent engagement and planning activities. Assist and participate in recruitment efforts/activities with ERSEA Specialist. Participate and help facilitate parent orientations to the program. Join and assist in parent meetings to support parents in leadership roles. Encourage parental participation in the program, including fatherhood engagement initiatives. Provide content for parent newsletters, calendars, memos and flyers as needed. Advocate and collaborate with community agencies to support child, family and outcomes. Collaborate with other component staff and specialists (medical, dental, speech, nutrition, mental health, special needs, etc.) to arrange referrals and follow-up as needed. Utilize Information and Technical Systems (Up to 30%)
Maintain attendance of children enrolled in the program through the agency database system. Maintain and document ongoing contact with families. Provide information relative to Head Start health and nutrition requirements; assist families in completing vaccination, physical, dental and nutrition screenings and document in the database system. Document and track follow-up needs, Family Partnership Goals, health, dental, nutrition, hearing and vision concerns. Document all parent contacts and home visits in the agency database system. Document support provided to teachers regarding concerns with families at scheduled meetings. Maintain up-to-date records of all assigned families through documentation and the database system used by the agency. Additional Job Responsibilities (Up to 10%)
Assist with administrative needs as requested. Attend required meetings and trainings on and off site. Perform other related duties as assigned from time to time. Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
Demonstrated knowledge of and sensitivity to the educational and socioeconomic needs of the children and families served. Ability to handle sensitive family situations professionally and non-threateningly. Professional behavior and boundaries with staff and families. Knowledge of early childhood education and intervention preferred. Keyboarding skills, computer literacy and familiarity with database, word processing, e-mail and internet. Ability to set and maintain professional boundaries with staff and families. Engage in ongoing staff development to expand professional skills. Experience working as part of an interdisciplinary team. Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills. Knowledge of neighborhoods served by the program and city-wide services relevant to the population. Ability to keep accurate written records and documentation. Ability to work with culturally diverse low-income populations. Attend and participate in community activities, trainings, and night meetings as needed. Ability to translate when needed; bilingual ability where appropriate. Maintain knowledge of all applicable laws, regulations, standards and policies. Physical Environmental Demands & Conditions
Frequent significant decisions and problem-solving abilities. Ability to work as part of a team with coworkers, parents and community resources. Frequent travel for home visits and off-site trainings. Regular kneeling, bending and sitting on the floor to attend to child’s needs. Lift and move infants to preschool-age children. Lift items as needed for program administration. Must be able to work independently without intensive supervision and manage workload efficiently. Education & Experience
Family Advocate I (HS): Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent with one of the following: Family Development Credential, Certificate in Human Services, Social Work, Family Services, Counseling or other comparable credential, or active enrollment in AA or BA degree program. If in a degree program, degree must be obtained within 18 months of hire. Up to 12 months of experience required. Family Advocate II (HS): Minimum of an AA/AS in Human Services, Social Work, Family Services, Counseling or a related field and up to 12 months of experience. Family Advocate III (HS): Minimum of a BA/BS in Human Services, Social Work, Family Services, Counseling or a related field and up to 12 months of experience. Seniorities & Status
Seniority level: Entry level Employment type: Full-time Job function: Other Industries: Non-profit Organization Management
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Family Advocate role at Action for Boston Community Development, Inc. (ABCD). Department: Head Start and Children's Services. Location: Parker Hill. Compensation: $21.93 - $28.62 / hour. Description: To promote family wellness and parent engagement programs in order to support the implementation of the family partnership process. Work as a liaison between classroom and home settings in the area of education, child development and mental health. Provide support, referrals, advocacy and up to date record maintenance for assigned families. The Family Advocate is responsible for promoting the mission of ABCD Head Start & Children’s Services; building an understanding of the program by communicating this mission to staff, families and the community. All ABCD Head Start/Early Head Start and Children’s Services personnel who work with children are mandated by law to report all suspected cases of child abuse and neglect to the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF), pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 119 §§ 51A – 51G. Any staff member who suspects child abuse or neglect must inform their supervisor immediately. The responsibilities of a particular position may support both Early Head Start and Head Start depending on the individual assignment. The specific corresponding funding allocation will be documented on the payroll authorization or change of status form. Communications may be sensitive and are subject to Head Start's policy on confidentiality. Key Responsibilities
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Family Partnership Building (up to 35%)
Welcome families into the program and share information about transitioning into Head Start. Ensure families are full partners in their own and their children’s development and learning by helping families develop and reach realistic and achievable long and short term goals. Engage families in assessing their needs and strengths, and supporting them in taking actions to reach their goals. Monitor progress on Family Partnership goals for all assigned families. Promote partnership and maintain relationships with families through ongoing frequent communication including but not limited to phone calls, group activity, home visits, informal contacts and classroom visits. Provide assistance to families in addressing challenges by discussing issues and/or linking them to community resources, including but not limited to mental illness, substance abuse, housing, employment, disabilities, family violence, etc. Prepare and distribute follow up information to assist families in a timely manner. Assist with all transitions of child and family. Promote family literacy. Work with parents to establish and maintain regular attendance for their child. Make family home visits to conduct family interviews, identify needs and refer families to the appropriate Head Start staff and/or outside agencies. Parent Engagement and Community Engagement (Up to 25%)
Provide support in parent engagement and planning activities. Assist and participate in recruitment efforts/activities with ERSEA Specialist. Participate and help facilitate parent orientations to the program. Join and assist in parent meetings to support parents in leadership roles. Encourage parental participation in the program, including fatherhood engagement initiatives. Provide content for parent newsletters, calendars, memos and flyers as needed. Advocate and collaborate with community agencies to support child, family and outcomes. Collaborate with other component staff and specialists (medical, dental, speech, nutrition, mental health, special needs, etc.) to arrange referrals and follow-up as needed. Utilize Information and Technical Systems (Up to 30%)
Maintain attendance of children enrolled in the program through the agency database system. Maintain and document ongoing contact with families. Provide information relative to Head Start health and nutrition requirements; assist families in completing vaccination, physical, dental and nutrition screenings and document in the database system. Document and track follow-up needs, Family Partnership Goals, health, dental, nutrition, hearing and vision concerns. Document all parent contacts and home visits in the agency database system. Document support provided to teachers regarding concerns with families at scheduled meetings. Maintain up-to-date records of all assigned families through documentation and the database system used by the agency. Additional Job Responsibilities (Up to 10%)
Assist with administrative needs as requested. Attend required meetings and trainings on and off site. Perform other related duties as assigned from time to time. Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
Demonstrated knowledge of and sensitivity to the educational and socioeconomic needs of the children and families served. Ability to handle sensitive family situations professionally and non-threateningly. Professional behavior and boundaries with staff and families. Knowledge of early childhood education and intervention preferred. Keyboarding skills, computer literacy and familiarity with database, word processing, e-mail and internet. Ability to set and maintain professional boundaries with staff and families. Engage in ongoing staff development to expand professional skills. Experience working as part of an interdisciplinary team. Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills. Knowledge of neighborhoods served by the program and city-wide services relevant to the population. Ability to keep accurate written records and documentation. Ability to work with culturally diverse low-income populations. Attend and participate in community activities, trainings, and night meetings as needed. Ability to translate when needed; bilingual ability where appropriate. Maintain knowledge of all applicable laws, regulations, standards and policies. Physical Environmental Demands & Conditions
Frequent significant decisions and problem-solving abilities. Ability to work as part of a team with coworkers, parents and community resources. Frequent travel for home visits and off-site trainings. Regular kneeling, bending and sitting on the floor to attend to child’s needs. Lift and move infants to preschool-age children. Lift items as needed for program administration. Must be able to work independently without intensive supervision and manage workload efficiently. Education & Experience
Family Advocate I (HS): Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent with one of the following: Family Development Credential, Certificate in Human Services, Social Work, Family Services, Counseling or other comparable credential, or active enrollment in AA or BA degree program. If in a degree program, degree must be obtained within 18 months of hire. Up to 12 months of experience required. Family Advocate II (HS): Minimum of an AA/AS in Human Services, Social Work, Family Services, Counseling or a related field and up to 12 months of experience. Family Advocate III (HS): Minimum of a BA/BS in Human Services, Social Work, Family Services, Counseling or a related field and up to 12 months of experience. Seniorities & Status
Seniority level: Entry level Employment type: Full-time Job function: Other Industries: Non-profit Organization Management
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