Family Empowerment Advocate

Summary

The Family Empowerment Advocate (FEA) develops strong partnerships to provide support and empowerment to families in the community. This role involves identifying family needs, connecting them with essential services, and ensuring successful recruitment, enrollment, and retention of children birth to age 3 in the Early Head Start program. The FEA works closely with teachers, caregivers, and community agencies to ensure families receive comprehensive support, maintain accurate records, and promote family engagement for positive child development outcomes.

Qualifications and Requirements

The candidate must have a bachelor's degree in social work, Human Services, Counseling, or a related field and a minimum of two years of experience working with children and families in a social services setting. Experience in Head Start/Early Head Start or family community engagement and health is preferred. The candidate must have knowledge of early childhood education and community issues.

Skills and Competencies Required

• Family Engagement and Advocacy:
  • Strong ability to build relationships with families, guiding them toward self-sufficiency and personal growth.
  • Understanding of social determinants of health and family dynamics.
• Recruitment and Community Outreach:
  • Ability to develop and implement effective recruitment strategies to ensure full program enrollment.
  • Knowledge of community agencies and referral networks for family support services.
• Case Management and Compliance:
  • Proficiency in tracking and documenting family progress, including data entry in ChildPlus.
  • Ability to interpret and apply HSPPS and program eligibility guidelines.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills:
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills for engaging families, staff, and community agencies.
  • Ability to work with diverse populations and provide culturally competent support services.
• Problem-Solving and Decision-Making:
  • Strong decision-making skills in managing family crises, referrals, and intervention plans.
  • Ability to adapt to changing family needs while maintaining compliance with program goals.
• Data and Reporting Accuracy:
  • Ability to maintain precise records, analyze data trends, and generate reports.
  • Experience using ChildPlus and other database management tools.
• Team Collaboration and Leadership:
  • Ability to work collaboratively with educators, caregivers, and program leadership.
  • Proactive in sharing knowledge and providing training to staff and families.
• Technology Proficiency:
  • Experience using ChildPlus or similar early childhood data systems for enrollment, tracking, and reporting.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and other relevant tools for reporting and communication