Family Advocate (Early Childhood Impact Program)- Berkeley

At the YMCA of the East Bay, our Family Advocate plays a pivotal role in supporting families on their journey to success. You will lead goal-setting and coaching with parents and caregivers, acting as a trusted guide and advocate. By connecting families to community resources and services, you help ensure the best possible educational and developmental outcomes for children. This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of families while advancing the YMCA’s mission of strengthening communities.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance – Full-time employees are eligible for heavily subsidized coverage with several plan options.
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance, with options for Voluntary Life and AD&D coverage.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for health and dependent care expenses.
• Long-Term Disability Insurance for added financial protection.
• Employee Assistance and Wellness Programs to support mental health and work-life balance.
• Commuter Benefits available for eligible employees.
• 12 Designated Holidays.
• Paid Time Off for vacation and sick leave.
• Professional Development Opportunities and ongoing training to support your career growth.
• YMCA Membership Benefits and discounts on programs for you and your family

Qualifications 

• BA or BS in family development, psychology, sociology or related field
• One year of related experience in a non-profit and/or human services setting
• A high degree of cultural awareness and competency in cross-cultural practices with children and families
• Experience working with low-income communities
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to negotiate and mediate to attain win-win situations
• T.B. and other required health clearances at the time of employment
• Fingerprint clearance by the DOJ and CCL agencies
• Valid California Drivers’ License and use of a personal automobile including evidence of auto liability insurance coverage
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook and other computer programs

Specific Essential Function from the Job Description for this role

1. Develop positive, respectful and trusting relationships with and serve as a liaison between Community School partners and services and families.
2. Conduct outreach, recruitment, and enrollment, meeting Head Start Performance Standards and Funding Terms and Conditions.
3. Provide orientation on philosophy of program and services provided.
4. Implement strategies including home visits to learn about families and the changing community.
5. Develop strengths-based assessments with families that describe their goals, strengths, resources and support networks, as well as necessary services and supports that include health concerns.
6. Develop an individualized family plan in partnership with the family that includes health, follow up regularly with the family and collaborate on resolving obstacles.
7. Facilitate families’ problem-solving and support enhancing problem-solving skills.
8. Coach, consult, educate, and utilize counseling skills, where appropriate.
9. Advocate for families and support them in advocating for themselves.
10. Support the health and wellness of children and families in the program.
11. Ensure all health requirements are met upon entrance into the program and track all health, dental and nutrition-related data, and ensure routine follow-up.
12. Assist with all health screenings required for completion within 45 calendar days of child’s enrollment in the program.
13. Identify common interests and needs of parents in order to plan appropriate activities, training and groups.
14. Engage parents in volunteering, community service and other ways of contributing to program activities and services.
15. Work with other program staff to support interactive literacy activities and other learning approaches between parents and their children.
16. Serve as a productive team member on an interdisciplinary team of professionals, participate and facilitate case conferences to promote holistic service delivery.    
17. Promote and support parent involvement and leadership throughout the program.
18. Research and keep up-to-date on program and community resources, analyze community resources to family needs and refer families to community resources as appropriate.
19. Listen and support families in making decisions and taking active steps to resolve current crises and be prepared to address future crises.
20. Learn about and be sensitive to each family’s values, beliefs, traditions, cultural influences, makeup, and circumstances using a culturally competent and flexible approach.
21. Perform record-keeping and internal and external reporting tasks in a timely and objective fashion.
22. Contribute to and participate in strategic planning, program self-assessment and other efforts to improve program services and agency responsiveness to families.
23. Make decisions and act based on family support principles, theories, practices, and code of ethics while maintaining professional boundaries and confidentially.
24. Complete other duties as assigned.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements 

The physical demands described below are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Ability to demonstrate sufficient strength, agility, and mobility to carry out essential job duties and supervise program activities.
• Visual acuity to effectively observe and monitor program activities.
• Mobility to respond promptly to emergencies.

Measure Effectiveness 

This position directly impacts the YMCA’s ability to support the Head Start/Early Head Start (EHS) program. Effectiveness in this role will be evaluated based on:

• Communications that are culturally responsive, accurate, timely, and grounded in mutual trust.
• Development and maintenance of positive, collaborative relationships with families and community partners.
• Completion and timely submission of program reports and required documentation.
• Achievement of service goals for the targeted number of youth and families.