Family Advocate / Family Support Specialist

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Family Support Specialist supports child and family relationships by identifying strengths through the family goal setting process. Per Center of Excellence recommendations and in alignment with Conscious Discipline principles, they enhance the development of all children and families. The Family Support Specialist collaborates within a multidisciplinary team, inclusive of the Child Development Specialist (CDS) and IECMH Clinician to support early childhood best practice in sustaining developmentally sensitive, relationship-focused, hope centered and trauma informed service delivery. The Family Support Specialist utilizes appropriate systems and tools to assess, plan and deliver appropriate activities designed to identify and support family/child strengths and challenges, develop and meet family goals, and to support the learning and growth of all children and families.

All employees and volunteers are expected to be sensitive to our clients cultural and socio- economic characteristics, reflect Sunbeam Family Services core values and to perform at Sunbeams standards of excellence at all times.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promote, encourage and display examples of leadership in accordance with the agencys mission.

• Demonstrate capacity for providing developmentally sensitive, evidence-based, hope centered and trauma informed practice services and leadership.

• Exemplify the values expected within the program and promote the mission of the organization.

• Support the recruitment, intake, and enrollment of families in Early Childhood Services in coordination with the ERSEA (enrollment) team.

• Actively engage in ongoing developmentally sensitive, hope centered and trauma informed relationship building with families through regular conversations and interactions.

• Timely and accurately complete Family Needs Assessment in collaboration with families to identify supports and guide parents in family goal setting while tracking progress of the family.

• Plan, coordinate, and facilitate interdisciplinary parent engagement activities, meetings and educational opportunities for families in accordance with Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) family needs assessment.

• Facilitate regular meetings/staffings to engage in intentional and collaborative problem solving with the Mental Health-Education-Family Support multidisciplinary team.

• Promote and enhance the parent-child relationship, using Conscious Discipline principles, to support families as life-long learners and advocates for their children.

• Support teaching staff in educational home visits, promoting home-school connection.

• Conduct health and wellness checks to ensure safety of child/family and make referrals as needed in accordance with HSPPS standards.

• Monitor and document child attendance, working with families to develop attendance plans as needed in accordance with HSPPS.

• Actively collaborate with ERSEA (enrollment) team to obtain documentation for eligibility determination and enrollment requirements.

• Support ongoing health requirements in collaboration with Health Advocates.

• Ensure regular, ongoing, and documented communication with families.

• Perform record keeping and run reports in a timely and accurate manner.

• Respect the confidential nature of Personally Identifying information (PII) that may need to be shared.

• Ensure that all reports and records are maintained accurately and promptly complying with all applicable confidentiality laws and regulations, including but not limited to HIPAA and FERPA.

• Represent Sunbeam in community collaborations and events as directed by supervisor.

• Promote culturally sensitive practice.

• Promote, encourage and display examples of leadership for clients, co-workers, and community.

• Travel locally as required in the performance of responsibilities.

• Perform other appropriate and related responsibilities as assigned by supervisor, Center of Excellence Director, Senior Program Director, Chief Program Officer or Chief Executive Officer.

Qualifications

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Minimally Required

Preferred

Education

Bachelors degree in Family Studies, Social Work, or a related field

Masters degree in Family Studies, Social Work, or a related field

Family Development Credential (FDC)

Experience

Experience in social services or related field

Two (2) years of experience in related field

Previous experience in Child Plus

Skills

Knowledge

Abilities

Caring and compassionate attitude when interacting with and caring for children and families

Excellent command of English language and grammar, both verbal and written

Must exercise good judgment and the ability to handle stress appropriately

Willingness to work with high-risk, low-income communities

Accepting interpersonal approach that reflects cultural sensitivity to the unique and diverse experiences of families served

Process, protect and exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials

Able to work as a cooperative and supportive interdisciplinary team member

Able to effectively and respectfully communication and support diverse families, professionals and community groups

Intermediate knowledge of computer operations and applications and the ability to master other computer technology/software programs, as needed

Good organizational and time management skills

Must work independently and collaboratively in a team environment

Valid Oklahoma drivers license and state required vehicle insurance for any vehicle used in performance of job duties

Local travel required plus work some evenings and weekends, as required by the job

Knowledge and understanding of Head Start Performance Standards and state and local childcare licensing requirements

Advanced computer database and Microsoft software application knowledge

Bilingual Spanish/English speaking ability to interact with children and families from multilingual homes

WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to frequently communicate with staff and others, and must be able to exchange accurate information when doing so. Must be able to endure remaining in stationary position for extended periods (up to 50% of workday).and occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office equipment, attend meetings, etc. The employee must also be able to interact closely and safely with small children in various positions. Must be able to communicate verbally with children, able to perform tasks such as feeding children, changing diapers, lifting children from floor or other surfaces. Occasionally must be able to move or lift up to 50 pounds at a time. Must be able to detect, discern, distinguish, observe, inspect and compare.

Work Environment:

The employee will work in office and school environments, may work in close quarters with other staff. The noise level in the work environment varies from moderate to loud; frequent chaotic situations will occur, characteristic to working with children ages 0 5 years. Employee must expect exposure to strong odors such as soiled diapers and clothes, and poor hygiene. May come into contact with childhood diseases and blood on occasion.

Other:

The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. The qualifications, physical demands, and work environment described herein are representative of those an employee will encounter and must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. These statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel or candidate and may be subject to change at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

Sunbeam Family Services is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are committed to fair and equal in all its employment practices for persons without regard to race, ethnicity, color, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, religion, disability or degree thereof, national origin, domestic/marital status, political affiliation or opinion, veteran status, HIV status, AIDS status, genetic information, and any characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.