The Head Start Family Advocate plays a crucial role in the Head Start program. The Family Advocate links a child’s home life to school life by working with the child in the classroom and with his or her family. The Family Advocate works in collaboration with each center’s Teacher and Assistant Teacher. The Family Advocate functions as an active member of center teams by working in the classroom on a regular schedule and by maintaining close working relationships with both the Teacher and the Assistant Teacher.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: working in the classroom as a teaching assistant for two ½ days per center; in conjunction with the Teacher and the Assistant Teacher, providing an annual orientation to parents, which includes an overview of policies and procedures; attending bi-weekly meetings at each center, taking the lead on those issues primarily involving the family; following through on the progress of families toward their goals as spelled out in their Family Partnership Agreement; facilitating family development by fostering trusting relationships with parents and caregivers and by adopting the Strengths-Based Family Worker approach to addressing family needs; contributing to the monitoring and evaluation of services for families, including maintaining accurate records and data collection; using a tracking and reporting system (such as Child Plus) for family partnership agreements, family contacts, and follow-up services; making scheduled home visits to all assigned families; performing all other job-related tasks as requested by supervisors.
The successful candidate will have the following qualifications: minimum of a CDA and/or an associate’s degree (in a child development, human-services, or a related field); fluency in Spanish; experience working with parents and caregivers in parenting programs; strong interpersonal and organizational skills; skill in the use of computer technology including Microsoft Office; proficiency in oral and written communications; ability to organize time and to maintain accurate records; and, sensitivity to the needs of low-income populations and the ability to understand and address positively the conditions of poverty.
Please submit cover letter and resume’ to: MACAA Attn: Jo Nell Chance, Human Resources Director, 1025 Park Street, Charlottesville, VA 22901 or jchance@macaa.org.