Family Advocate II - Head Start

HS Case Manager

Geminus Corporation partners with community-based health care providers, social service organizations and early childhood education programs to help increase access to high-quality social health care for children and families across Northwest Indiana. Geminus Corporation is a member of the Regional Care Group

Position Purpose:

Provide case management, parent education and crisis intervention to support self-sufficiency for all EHS/HS families in both recipient, home-based and child care partnership program options. Integrate the competency goals and indicators for Head Start Staff working with families to maximize family well-being and child/family school readiness outcomes. The Family Advocate position will also coordinate parent activities to support family and program needs and goals.

Scope of Authority/Responsibility:

Under the direct supervision of the Family Services Manager, the Family Advocate is responsible for providing social services, as required by the Federal Performance Standards, to Head Start children and families, including those with disabilities. The Family Advocate will also act as a liaison and support between parents, classroom staff, community agencies, and other Head Start staff. The Family Advocate role provides case management services to Recipient Head Start/Early Head Start, home-based and Child Care Partnership parents and families to help parents reach self-sufficiency. The Family Advocate is required to have access to reliable transportation in order to work offsite a minimum of 50% of the time, activities include; home visits, site visits, transporting clients when needed, community networking, recruitment, community events and transition activities. The Family Advocate will hold high expectations for Recipient, home-based and Child Care Partnership Head Start/Early Head Start families and utilize the skill of motivational interviewing to encourage parents to grow their strengths and identify attainable goals that lead to healthy family life practices and self-sufficiency.

The Family Advocate will ultimately be evaluated on a combination of skills, dispositions and behaviors, some of which are related to the specific service area of this position and others that represent general expectations of all program employees. They will use knowledge of the principles of social work to collaborate with related service areas and communicate with internal and external partners. They will have high expectations for families and work to motivate and inspire them to identify attainable goals that lead to healthy family life practices and self-sufficiency. In addition, the following Competency Goals will also be evaluated:

1) Establish mutually respectful partnerships

2) Support family’s efforts to reach their goals

3) Provide parent opportunities- activities/education

4) Promote family literacy services

5) Integrate service for enhanced effectiveness

6) Promote community resource access

7) Assist families in crisis

8) Demonstrate cultural sensitivity

9) Demonstrate integrity and professionalism

Minimum Hiring Requirements:

Education: Family Advocate II - Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology or related field required.

Experience: A minimum of two (2) years experience working with young children ages 0-5 preferred. Ability to establish rapport and speak effectively with families. Ability to read and interpret documents such as Head Start Performance Standards, Safety Rules, Operating and Maintenance Instructions, Scoring Checklists and Procedure Manuals. Ability to create reports, correspondence and complete data entry effectively and accurately.

Pay Range: $22.23 - $28.90 Hourly

Geminus Head Start offers a competitive salary, and an outstanding comprehensive benefits package.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $22.23 - $28.90 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Application Question(s):

• Do you have a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Social Work or a related field?
• Can you contest to being able to pass a pre-employment drug screening?
• Can you contest to being able to pass an extensive background check?
• Are you acceptive of the pay range being $22.23-$28.90?

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Childcare: 2 years (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License and reliable transportation? (Required)

Work Location: In person