Family Advocate

FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY (FVSU), a state and land-grant institution of the University System of Georgia, invites applications for the position of Family Advocate.

Fort Valley State University, the only 1890 land-grant university in Georgia, is a comprehensive institution that provides an education to over 2,800 students including graduate students. The university is located in the town of Fort Valley in Peach County, the original site of the state's peach industry. Its 1,365-acre (5.52 km2) campus is Georgia's second-largest public university in area.

Fort Valley State University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or marital or veteran status.

JOB SUMMARY:

This position will serve Head Start programs in Crisp County, GA, Dooly County, GA, Macon County, GA, and Taylor County, GA. We expect to fill three (3) positions at this time.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Recruitment and Enrollment

• Recruit eligible, interested families by participating in health fairs, community events and through communication with other partnering agencies.

• Working in conjunction with Family and Community Partnership Manager and other Family Advocates to ensure all services are being rendered in a timely manner and full enrollment is maintained throughout the program year.

Coordination of Child and Family Services

• Interview families to determine strengths and needs.

• Develop a follow-up plan with each family, making necessary referrals for services.

• Perform required developmental, nutritional, mental health and sensory screeners within the agency table.

• Ensure each child receives a health/nutrition assessment (Form 6), physical, dental, immunization (Form 3231, EPDST form).

• Ensure each child is up to date for age on all immunizations.

• Solicit parent involvement, including assisting with parent meetings.

• Collect in-kind donations from parents and community members to Fort Valley State University Head Start.

• Assist health providers with all health-related screenings at assigned site or designated locations within the first 45 days of enrollment.

• Ensure that all Family Development plans are completed on a quarterly basis.

• Submit daily attendance reports to Family & Community Partnership Manager via e-mail by 9:30 A. M. (make sure that daily attendance is inputted into program's data tracking system as well).

• Establish a good rapport with the community and service agencies.

• Develop a Family Partnership Agreement with families, set goals and monthly follow-ups.

• Assist with Family Assessment as well as Community Resource Book

• Work with staff to support all Service areas. Conducts parent orientation, organizational meeting with the election of officers and policy council representatives parliamentary training and monthly parent meetings.

• Assist in gathering information for the community assessment.

• Responsible for home visits, as needed.

• Record keeping and assuring confidentiality is maintained.

Record Keeping

• Maintain family files in good working order in a locked cabinet.

• Collect and provide programmatic information as required by Fort Valley State University Head Start.

• Enter all family/child data (entire application package) and follow ups into program's data tracking system Management System as required by the Fort Valley State University Head Start program.

Communication

• Attend relevant agency meetings such as Family Advocate trainings and meetings.

• Meet regularly with Family and Community Partnership Manager.

• Communicate with Family Child Care providers regularly regarding Fort Valley State University Head Start families' needs.

Professional Ethics

• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with the policies and legal requirements of Fort Valley State University and the Fort Valley State University Head Start program.

• Respect rights and privacy of other staff.

• Attend mandated trainings, meetings and seek out staff development opportunities.

• Work as a team member with all staff and maintain a positive work ethic.

• Act conscientiously when performing duties by being honest, reliable, and punctual.

The foregoing is an accurate summation of the essential duties of this position. Occasionally, other related duties may be assigned by the supervisor/director.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience:

Bachelor's degree (BA) in Social Service or a related field; or two years of social work or similar experience in an agency providing services to children and families and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Language Skills:

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals; write routine reports and correspondence; speak effectively before groups of parents, staff, providers and community groups.

Mathematical Skills:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.

Other Skills and Abilities:

Ability to work with families and individuals representing a variety of lifestyles in a positive, productive and nurturing way. Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality. Must have a basic understanding of family dynamics, growth and development, parenting issues, relationship and human needs. Must have a basic knowledge of community resources and how to access services for children and families. Must have a valid Georgia driver's license and clear driving record, and be able to pass a criminal record clearance.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to stand; sit; walk; use hand to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel and crouch.

The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 20 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus (may be obtained through the use of corrective lenses).

While performing the duties of this job the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.