Easterseals serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford
Family and Health Advocate - Bilingual Spanish
Easterseals serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
Family and Health Advocate - Bilingual Spanish
Base pay range: $44,098.00/yr - $55,123.00/yr EA: Easterseals of Chicagoland and Greater Rockford is committed to two pillars: early learning and disability. We transform the lives of early learners and individuals of all abilities through access to expert educational, family, and community support. We have proudly served Chicagoland and Greater Rockford since 1936. Under the direction of the Family and Health Coordinator, the Family and Health Advocate - Bilingual Spanish (FHA) builds trusting and collaborative relationships and provides ongoing direct support services to families at assigned sites throughout Chicago and surrounding suburbs. The FHA works with sites and the Early Learning Services team to deliver services that fulfill Head Start/Early Head Start/Preschool for All/Prevention Initiative requirements in the areas of ERSEA (Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance), PFCE (Parent, Family and Community Engagement), and Health and Nutrition. This role is ideal for someone who respects children and families with diverse values and cultures and is passionate about achieving positive child and family outcomes through high-quality engagement. This position is headquartered at Easterseals Chicago, 1939 W 13th Street, Chicago, IL 60608. Major Functions/Accountabilities Develop and maintain professional partnerships with administrative and teaching staff at assigned sites; evaluate needs and provide support to sites in meeting the Head Start Program Performance Standards and PFA/PI requirements. Build trusting relationships with families and provide ongoing support: at least one significant monthly contact with each family (in person when possible); family assessment and goal setting; referrals and services, follow-up, and advocacy; implementation of parent engagement curriculum. Provide two family visits per year to each family in their home. Develop and maintain a regular schedule of site visits to ensure implementation of HS/EHS/PFA/PI services and ongoing contact with families, including flexible hours to meet family schedules. This includes on-site presence for: drop-off/pick-up, eligibility screenings, playdates, acceptance meetings, first days, parent meetings/workshops/events, and ongoing director check-ins. Promote literacy by increasing families’ access to materials, including lending libraries, and encouraging involvement in classroom activities. Maintain full enrollment of Head Start/Early Head Start/PFA/PI children at assigned sites through ongoing recruitment; fill vacancies within 30 days. Implement attendance follow-up procedures, including attendance home visits as needed, to support regular attendance. Work with Easterseals and site staff to ensure enrolled children are up-to-date on well-child visits, physicals, immunizations, EPSDT screenings, vision/hearing, and dental exams; educate families on preventive health care; follow up on ongoing health issues (e.g., asthma, food allergies). Measure heights and weights of children ages 2 and up twice yearly. Collaborate with teachers and instructional coaches to communicate with the parent as needed for developmental, social-emotional, or behavioral concerns; participate in SRT and Social Emotional Review Team meetings; provide resources and support families through the IEP/IFSP process. Encourage parent participation in site-level Parent Committees and agency-wide Policy Council; coordinate parent elections for officers and representatives. Plan an annual Parent Involvement Activity Calendar and Budget with Parent Committees and sites; ensure activities comply with requirements and are coordinated and staffed appropriately. Maintain complete and accurate records in the ChildPlus system and binders at sites; utilize ChildPlus for tracking timelines. Participate in community engagement activities and relationship-building, including recruitment, developing linkage agreements, and attending agency/network meetings and community events; maintain a Community Resource Board at sites. Submit all required paperwork accurately and timely; attend required meetings and participate in enrollment/recruitment campaigns, self-assessments, and PIR. Contribute to Program Goals and School Readiness; promote a culture of safety. Based on caseloads, FHAs may provide regional support for family engagement and recruitment. All other duties as assigned. Requirements Bachelor’s degree or higher in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field. Or an Associate’s degree in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field, plus at least 1 year of experience in social services or early childhood education. Or a degree in another field plus 1-3 years of experience in social services or early childhood education. No degree? At least 1-3 years of experience in social services or early childhood education with a family specialist credential earned within 18 months of hire. Experience: Bilingual ability (English/Spanish) may be preferred or required for some positions; proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite/Teams. Vehicle/Transportation Requirements Valid driver’s license, auto insurance, reliable vehicle; travel to Easterseals and partner sites regularly. Skills/Abilities Able to establish rapport and build trusting relationships with families. Non-judgmental, compassionate, and culturally sensitive approach. Effective communication style: open, adaptable, reflective, engaging, honest, and culturally sensitive. Ability to visit families in home and community settings; flexibility to work evenings. Ability to engage in reflective learning and use feedback to improve work with families. Ability to work with all levels of the organization, partner sites, and funding source personnel. Ability to conceptualize program outcomes and manage multiple projects; well-organized, detail-oriented, and accurate. Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. ADA: Easterseals will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Hires must possess the ability to perform physical tasks to treat clients and to lift up to 50 pounds frequently. Salary: $44,098 - $55,123/Annually
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Base pay range: $44,098.00/yr - $55,123.00/yr EA: Easterseals of Chicagoland and Greater Rockford is committed to two pillars: early learning and disability. We transform the lives of early learners and individuals of all abilities through access to expert educational, family, and community support. We have proudly served Chicagoland and Greater Rockford since 1936. Under the direction of the Family and Health Coordinator, the Family and Health Advocate - Bilingual Spanish (FHA) builds trusting and collaborative relationships and provides ongoing direct support services to families at assigned sites throughout Chicago and surrounding suburbs. The FHA works with sites and the Early Learning Services team to deliver services that fulfill Head Start/Early Head Start/Preschool for All/Prevention Initiative requirements in the areas of ERSEA (Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance), PFCE (Parent, Family and Community Engagement), and Health and Nutrition. This role is ideal for someone who respects children and families with diverse values and cultures and is passionate about achieving positive child and family outcomes through high-quality engagement. This position is headquartered at Easterseals Chicago, 1939 W 13th Street, Chicago, IL 60608. Major Functions/Accountabilities Develop and maintain professional partnerships with administrative and teaching staff at assigned sites; evaluate needs and provide support to sites in meeting the Head Start Program Performance Standards and PFA/PI requirements. Build trusting relationships with families and provide ongoing support: at least one significant monthly contact with each family (in person when possible); family assessment and goal setting; referrals and services, follow-up, and advocacy; implementation of parent engagement curriculum. Provide two family visits per year to each family in their home. Develop and maintain a regular schedule of site visits to ensure implementation of HS/EHS/PFA/PI services and ongoing contact with families, including flexible hours to meet family schedules. This includes on-site presence for: drop-off/pick-up, eligibility screenings, playdates, acceptance meetings, first days, parent meetings/workshops/events, and ongoing director check-ins. Promote literacy by increasing families’ access to materials, including lending libraries, and encouraging involvement in classroom activities. Maintain full enrollment of Head Start/Early Head Start/PFA/PI children at assigned sites through ongoing recruitment; fill vacancies within 30 days. Implement attendance follow-up procedures, including attendance home visits as needed, to support regular attendance. Work with Easterseals and site staff to ensure enrolled children are up-to-date on well-child visits, physicals, immunizations, EPSDT screenings, vision/hearing, and dental exams; educate families on preventive health care; follow up on ongoing health issues (e.g., asthma, food allergies). Measure heights and weights of children ages 2 and up twice yearly. Collaborate with teachers and instructional coaches to communicate with the parent as needed for developmental, social-emotional, or behavioral concerns; participate in SRT and Social Emotional Review Team meetings; provide resources and support families through the IEP/IFSP process. Encourage parent participation in site-level Parent Committees and agency-wide Policy Council; coordinate parent elections for officers and representatives. Plan an annual Parent Involvement Activity Calendar and Budget with Parent Committees and sites; ensure activities comply with requirements and are coordinated and staffed appropriately. Maintain complete and accurate records in the ChildPlus system and binders at sites; utilize ChildPlus for tracking timelines. Participate in community engagement activities and relationship-building, including recruitment, developing linkage agreements, and attending agency/network meetings and community events; maintain a Community Resource Board at sites. Submit all required paperwork accurately and timely; attend required meetings and participate in enrollment/recruitment campaigns, self-assessments, and PIR. Contribute to Program Goals and School Readiness; promote a culture of safety. Based on caseloads, FHAs may provide regional support for family engagement and recruitment. All other duties as assigned. Requirements Bachelor’s degree or higher in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field. Or an Associate’s degree in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field, plus at least 1 year of experience in social services or early childhood education. Or a degree in another field plus 1-3 years of experience in social services or early childhood education. No degree? At least 1-3 years of experience in social services or early childhood education with a family specialist credential earned within 18 months of hire. Experience: Bilingual ability (English/Spanish) may be preferred or required for some positions; proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite/Teams. Vehicle/Transportation Requirements Valid driver’s license, auto insurance, reliable vehicle; travel to Easterseals and partner sites regularly. Skills/Abilities Able to establish rapport and build trusting relationships with families. Non-judgmental, compassionate, and culturally sensitive approach. Effective communication style: open, adaptable, reflective, engaging, honest, and culturally sensitive. Ability to visit families in home and community settings; flexibility to work evenings. Ability to engage in reflective learning and use feedback to improve work with families. Ability to work with all levels of the organization, partner sites, and funding source personnel. Ability to conceptualize program outcomes and manage multiple projects; well-organized, detail-oriented, and accurate. Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. ADA: Easterseals will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Hires must possess the ability to perform physical tasks to treat clients and to lift up to 50 pounds frequently. Salary: $44,098 - $55,123/Annually
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