JOB SUMMARY:

Fort Valley State University's Family and Consumer Sciences is seeking candidates for the Early Head Start Child Care Partnership Family Advocate position. The Early Head Start Child Care Partnership Family Advocate is responsible for working with families to help them realize their self-sufficiency goals. The Early Head Start Child Care Partnership Family Advocate engages families in their children's learning activities and serves as the link between families and community resources. The Early Head Start Child Care Partnership Family Advocates also aid in the recruitment of Early Head Start children and families.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

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

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;

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;

Ensure each child receives needed follow-up services;

Solicit parent involvement, including assisting with parent meetings;

Collect in-kind donations from parents and community members to Fort Valley State University Early Head Start Child Care Partnerships;

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);

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/Early Head Start;

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

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 Early Head Start family;

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

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.

Must successfully pass a drug screening and background.

Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver's license issued by the State of Georgia for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.

Preferred:

Current CPR and First Aid certifications are desired.

Maintain an annual physical and Tuberculosis vaccination.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Must have own reliable transportation to travel to and from one of the centers located in Taylor, Macon, Dooly and Crisp counties.

Must be punctual and able to work Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p. m.

Must be able to work indoors as well as transition the classroom to outdoors.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Regularly required to stand, sit, walk, use hand to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls, and to talk or hear.
• Frequently required to reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, and crouch.
• 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.

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.