The Family Advocate builds strong, respectful partnerships with families enrolled in the Early Childhood Program. This role provides individualized family support through case management, advocacy, goal setting, and coordination of services in alignment with the Head Start Parent, Family, and Community Engagement (PFCE) Outcomes Framework.
The Family Advocate works collaboratively with families, center staff, and community partners to promote family well-being, child development, and school readiness while maintaining accurate documentation and regulatory compliance.
Family & Community Partnerships
Estimated Effort: 40%
Build trusting, respectful relationships with families that integrate their values, beliefs, and caregiving practices.
Maintain regular contact with assigned caseload through home visits, phone calls, and center-based meetings.
Complete Family Strength Surveys and develop Family Partnership Agreements with families.
Provide individualized case management to support family self-sufficiency and goal achievement.
Identify family strengths, needs, goals, and interests; make appropriate referrals and follow up on outcomes.
Advocate for families with community agencies and service providers.
Assist parents in understanding their role as their child's first and most important teacher.
Support families during transitions between Early Head Start, Head Start, preschool, and public school.
Identify and report extraordinary social service needs to the Family Services Manager.
Recognize indicators of domestic violence, mental health concerns, substance use disorders, and other high-risk situations and make appropriate referrals.
Provide transportation assistance to families for appointments or services when no other options are available.
Child Development, Health, and Disabilities
Estimated Effort: 9%
Assist with orientation for newly enrolled families.
Support completion of child screenings within forty-five (45) days of enrollment.
Monitor attendance and collaborate with families to address chronic absenteeism.
Assist Health Services staff with scheduling and follow-up of required health and developmental appointments.
Educate families on preventive health care, immunizations, and well-child visits.
Visit assigned classrooms at least twice weekly.
Substitute in classrooms as assigned.
Share relevant family information with center staff to support coordinated services.
Participate in staffing and mini-staffing meetings as appropriate.
Demonstrate knowledge of child development from birth to age five and support appropriate referrals.
Encourage family participation in parenting education programs such as Conscious Discipline.
Enrollment, Recruitment, Selection, Eligibility, and Attendance
Estimated Effort: 8%
Assist with recruitment activities, including outreach and sibling recruitment.
Support re-enrollment and collect required documentation for returning families.
Maintain knowledge of eligibility requirements and attend required annual trainings.
Complete absentee follow-up reports and family contacts as assigned.
Assist with enrollment activities during peak enrollment periods and special events.
Program Design, Data, and Reporting
Estimated Effort: 36%
Enter and maintain accurate case documentation in ChildPlus, including contacts, referrals, goals, outcomes, and attendance follow-up.
Complete monthly reports and additional reports as assigned.
Document monthly collaboration with teaching staff.
Conduct Parent Gauge Interviews twice annually to support PFCE outcomes.
Participate in program planning, self-assessment, monitoring, and strategic planning activities.
Maintain organized, secure records and workspaces.
Request supplies and resources as needed to support assigned duties.
Assist with additional program responsibilities as assigned.
Other Duties and Accountability
Estimated Effort: 7%
Maintain accountability to supervisor for accuracy, timeliness, and quality of work.
Obtain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) within eighteen (18) months of hire if required.
Transport children as program needs dictate.
Maintain confidentiality in accordance with CAC policies.
Adhere to all agency policies, safety procedures, and professional standards.
Attend required trainings, staff meetings, and professional development activities.
Immediately report any criminal or traffic offenses that may affect insurability.
Maintain a professional demeanor and positive representation of CAC and the Early Childhood Program.
Minimum Requirements
Education:
High School Diploma or equivalent.
Job-Related Experience:
Experience working with vulnerable families in home-based, case management, or human services settings.
Licenses, Certifications, and Accreditations:
Valid Ohio Driver's License
Reliable transportation and proof of insurance
Ability to obtain and maintain CDL and Van Certification
Ability to pass annual T-8 physical
Family Development Credential or willingness to obtain
CPR, First Aid, Communicable Disease, and Child Abuse Prevention training
Fifteen (15) hours of related training annually
BCI/FBI background checks
Insurable under agency policy
Preferred Qualifications
Degree in Human Services, Family Services, Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or related field
Early Childhood or CDA credential with significant family services experience
Experience serving families with children ages 0-5 and pregnant women
Extensive experience providing home-based services to low-income families
Working Conditions
This position involves regular home visits with an assigned caseload and work in a shared office environment. Frequent local travel is required, with occasional regional or overnight travel for training. The work is fast-paced and requires strong organization, flexibility, and the ability to manage sensitive family situations professionally.