Family Advocate

OVERVIEW 

JOB POSTING

Family Advocate – Washington DC

Smart from the Start (“Smart”) is family support, community engagement and school readiness initiative that has as its mission to promote the healthy development of young children and families living in underserved communities. Smart empowers families and communities with the tools, resources and support they need to thrive. The Woodland Family Success Center will provide comprehensive, strengths-based programming, support and advocacy for children and families while assisting families with setting and achieving goals for self-sufficiency and economic stability and growth. 

Smart aims to: 

• Promote the physical, emotional and developmental health of young children; 
• To provide place-based, trauma-informed, and culturally reflective programs and services to promote physical and mental-health wellness of families and optimal life skills mastery; 
• To provide educational and employment opportunities for families to promote self-sufficiency and financial stability; 
• Expand and strengthen early learning opportunities for young children; 
• Promote parents’ role as their children’s first teacher; 
• Provide family stabilization services and supports to underserved families; 
• Build neighborhood will, understanding and capacity to help create environments conducive to healthy development. 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES FOR FAMILY ADVOCATE: 

This position will report to the Program Manager/ National Program Director and will provide advocacy and programming to families in the Northeast community of Washington, DC. The Family Advocate will: 

• Promote healthy parenting and knowledge of child development among our parent/caregiver population; 
• Provide on and off-site advocacy and support to Success Center families; 
• Provide targeted advocacy for special populations (teen parents, grandparents, etc.); 
• Facilitate/co-facilitate parenting support and education groups; 
• Teach/model advocacy skills for staff and parents/caregivers;
• Engage and partner with other agencies to provide new avenues for collaboration in support of families; 
• Help with planning and participation in program-wide special events;
• Collect and maintain necessary information and documentation to support program evaluation in coordination with staff and program evaluators;
• Other duties as deemed appropriate by supervisor.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s or Associate Degree in Social Services, and a minimum of 5+ years professional work experience required. Significant work experience with culturally diverse families and ethnically and economically diverse communities; Ability to develop strong working relationships with others Northeast DC neighborhood, community organizations, and schools; Superb written and oral communication skills; Ability to work independently, and work as part of a team. DC residency, preferred. This position will report to the Smart from the Start Program Manager/ National Program Director. Compensation: Starting salary is commensurate with experience; Full time (40 hrs./wk.), some evenings and weekends required. Smart from the Start is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applications will not be reviewed without A full resume and cover letter describing your interest qualifications, and salary requirements. Applications should be sent via e-mail only in PDF format to Janiya Garrett; janiya@smartfromthestart.org