POINTE COUPEE PARISH SCHOOLS

                                    POSITION DESCRIPTION                                                    

TITLE:  HEAD START FAMILY ADVOCATE

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Associates Degree
2. Experience or training in a social service, education, or health related field
3. At least twenty-one years of age
4. Must be proficient in the use of software programs such as:  Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint, and other related computer/internet programs.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:  9 months

SALARY: Pointe Coupee Parish School System Salary Schedule

REPORTS TO:HEAD START FAMILY SERVICES FACILITATOR/HEAD START SUPERVISOR

JOB GOAL:

The Family Advocate shall assume the responsibility for planning and managing the center's daily activities, as well as responding to parental concerns and ensuring that minimum licensing requirements are met at the Head Start site where employed.  The Family Advocate shall assist in recruitment of eligible children and families for the Head Start program and assist parents in the application and enrollment process, helping them to complete the requisite paperwork and forms.  The Family Advocate shall assist parents in her/his assigned caseload in accessing community services as needed. The Family Advocate shall track all services provided to children and families in the Head Start database.

OCCUPATIONAL

CHARACTERISTICS:       Strengths:  Exert force to 40 lbs. occasionally, or a negligible force constantly.  May involve significant standing, walking, pushing, and pulling.

Other Physical Demands:  Reaching, handling, fingering, talking, hearing, near acuity (under 20 inches), far acuity (over 20 feet), color, field of vision (peripheral vision).

Environmental Conditions:  Noise intensity level – moderate

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assumes responsibility for planning and managing the Head Start center’s daily activities.
• Assists the Family Services Facilitator in identifying and recruiting eligible Head Start families, including the recruitment of children with disabilities.
• Assists families in the application and enrollment process for Head Start.
  • Establishes a comfortable, working relationship with assigned families, beginning at enrollment.
  • Assists families in developing family partnership agreements which are strength based and family driven based so that all families have the opportunity to participate.
  • Works with families, teachers, and director to help identify needs of assigned children and families,   

        including special needs of children.

• Provides parent education for Head Start parents as required.
  • Establishes links and working relationships with appropriate service providers/community agencies.
  • Acts as a liaison and advocate for families to assure providers and agencies are user friendly to Head Start families.
  • Empowers and encourages families to make use of all identified resources.
    • Ensures the timely completion of all health screenings, including documentation and follow-up services as required by Head Start guidelines.
    • Outlines clearly to parents the results of all health screenings and evaluations and the need for additional follow-up services including immunizations, health, disability, and social services.
    • Informs parents of the need to schedule and keep appointments for all screenings, evaluations, and follow-

        up services.

• Assists parents in scheduling appointments and provides transportation when needed.
  • Communicates with teachers in a timely manner regarding children’s health concerns and special family needs and services.
  • Empowers and encourages families to participate fully in the program.
    • Conducts home visits when needed, alone or with appropriate staff, to follow up on progress or to make contacts when other means of communication/contact are lacking.
    • Encourages assigned families to participate in parent orientation, Parent Committee meetings, Policy Council, and other parent activities.

• Assists parents by providing them with information on available resources in the areas of:  babysitting,

        transportation, etc., so that they can attend activities.     

• Works with teaching staff to plan home visits, parent/teacher conferences, and classroom volunteer activities  

        to assure that parents are aware of and fully participating in these activities.

• Contacts parents to verify child absences and documents reasons for absences in the child files.
  • Enters all family demographic data and all services provided to children and families in the computerized database for children and families in assigned caseload.
  • Learns and follows Head Start Program Performance Standards and the written work plan.
  • Attends all training opportunities as provided.
  • Attends faculty meetings, parent conferences/meetings, and IEP meetings when requested
  • Maintains student and family confidentiality
  • Other duties as assigned

PERSONAL TRAITS:

Exhibits competency in the following areas:

• Poise and self-confidence
• Enthusiasm and optimism
• Punctuality
• Dependability
• Flexibility
• Willingness to implement recommendations
• Acceptable speech and grammar
• Effective communication with students
• Discreet handling of confidential information
• Unbiased attitude regarding race, sex, creed, religion or disability
• Effective communication with colleagues and other adults

COMMUNICATION SKILLS:

The Family Advocate must be able to effectively communicate in English both orally and in writing. Must have the ability to accurately give and receive information via telecommunication system and must be able to communicate successfully with students, teachers, parents, school personnel, and the community.

EQUIPMENT USED:

The Family Advocate must be able to use a telephone, cell phone, fax machine, scanner, audio-visual equipment, PC, PC software, copy machine, laminator, calculator, and other appropriate machines.

MENTAL INVOLVEMENT:

The Family Advocate must be able to assist with the implementation of appropriate educational programs. Must be able to understand and interpret written and verbal instructions. Must be able to comply with federal, state and parish regulations.

HUMAN RELATIONS INVOLVEMENT

The Family Advocate must be able to work cooperatively with parents, students, teachers, district personnel and the community. Must be able to respond appropriately to supervision and accept commendations and recommendations. Must demonstrate sensitivity/understanding in interpersonal relations with persons of diverse cultures/backgrounds.

EVALUATION:

This position shall be evaluated in accordance with the Pointe Coupee Parish School System Personnel Accountability Plan.

THIS SIGNATURE INDICATES THAT I HAVE READ MY JOB DESCRIPTION AND WILL FULFILL THESE RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY:

____________________________________         _____________________________

Signature                                                       Date

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Evaluator                                                        Date