Head Start Family Advocate

EPIC Early Learning is currently hiring a compassionate and dedicated Head Start Family Advocate to join our team. As a private, nonprofit organization, EPIC has been providing early childhood educational services to children and families in Central Washington for over 35 years. Our mission is to ensure that every child has the best possible start in life by creating a nurturing and supportive environment that promotes their emotional, social, and intellectual growth.

As a Head Start Family Advocate, you will play a crucial role in supporting families in accessing the resources and services they need to thrive. You will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with families, conducting assessments of their needs, and connecting them with appropriate community resources. Additionally, you will collaborate with a team of professionals to develop individualized family partnership agreements and support families in achieving their goals.

Responsibilities

• Recruit and enroll families, ensuring that all eligibility requirements for programs are met and that all documentation is accurate.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with families, providing ongoing support and guidance
• Conduct comprehensive assessments of family needs and develop individualized family partnership agreements
• Assist families in accessing resources and services, including but not limited to healthcare, education, and housing
• Collaborate with families to set and achieve goals related to their child's development and overall well-being
• Advocate for families within the community and facilitate communication between families and service providers
• Provide crisis intervention and support to families during times of need
• Ensure accurate and timely documentation of family interactions and progress towards goals
• Function as part of a teaching team in the classroom, as needed.
• Be committed to characterizing a culture of safety within our centers, playgrounds, buses and anywhere that children may be present. Be familiar with and encourage EPIC's culture of "See Something, Say Something".

Requirements

• HSD/ GED Required
• Bilingual/ Bi-literate, English and Spanish preferred
• A credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or related field. *Candidates who do not meet the minimum education requirement must meet this requirement within eighteen (18) months of hire date and will be placed on a Professional Development Plan.
• Minimum of 2 years' experience working in social work/health setting. Emphasis on the ability to determine client eligibility, tracking of services provided, ongoing referral, and follow-up of service provided to children and families.
• Knowledge of child development and early childhood education principles
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
• Cultural competence and the ability to work with diverse populations
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and data entry

Pay Level

$19.01 to $22.43 Hourly (12-month position)

Benefits

·         Medical/Dental/ Vision Plans

·         Sick Leave (5 hours per payroll)

·         Annual Leave (4 hours per payroll)

·         11 Paid Holidays

·         Employee Assistance Program

·         Basic Life Insurance

·         403 B (Employer match after 1 year or 1,000 hours)

Conditions of Employment:

1. Prior to employment, complete a pre-employment drug screen, TB skin test by an EPIC approved healthcare provider at no cost to the employee.
2. Pre-employment basic physical by an EPIC healthcare provider (obtain within (30) days of employment and no cost to the employee).
3. Must pass an initial and periodic background check through the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF).
4. Provide proof of MMR vaccination and/ or resistance to Measles, Mumps & Rubella.
5. Current Food Handlers card (obtain the training within 30 days of employment).
6. Current First Aid/CPR card (obtain within 30 days of employment).
7. Complete Childcare Basics 30 hours STARS training within 3 months of hire
8. Meet the minimum education requirements within the timeframe as stated in the performance standards.
9. Complete Child Abuse and Neglect training and all other mandated training.
10. CEO Approval.