Home Base Teacher/Family Advocate

Job Goal

Assist the Family Services Manager in coordinating and implementing family and community strengthening, and comprehensive health services with families in full/enhanced day Head Start/Early Head Start options. Implement the recruitment, outreach, and enrollment process for the Head Start/Early Head Start program. Assist the Health & Mental Health Manager in the planning, coordination, and implementation of the health services program.

Provide home based education services weekly to Arlington and surrounding communities.

Essential Responsibilities

• Recruit, select and enroll children and families and maintain enrollment levels as prescribed by Head Start Policies and Performance Standards
• Be knowledgeable of Agency eligibility requirements.
• Assist in planning and implementing the recruitment process.
• Identify and recruit children with documented disabilities/special needs.
• Provide input to the Family Services Manager to develop agency selection criteria.
• Assist in recruitment by making a recruitment home visit for all completed applications for the area and completing the family assessment.
• Ensure that highest risk families are referred to services needed, and that education and support are available for the family.
• Initiate and/or participate in family unity meetings with other community partners who are working with or can be of assistance to families in need of services and support.
• Orient parents to Agency policies and program design at the center’s “Welcome to Head Start.”
• Ensure that recruited applications are included on the waiting list for the assigned agency service area.
• Ensure full enrollment of children at assigned center at all times.
• Submit completed reports to supervisor in a timely manner.
• Work with the Selection Committee and Child & Family Services Manager to develop the agency selection criteria.
• Maintain an adequate social services referral system for coordinating the resolution of family needs and goals.
• Make home visits with each family for the completion of the Family Partnership agreement and follow up on goals established.
• Assist families in developing resources for resolving emergent social service needs and follow up with families on the appropriateness of the resources.
• Refer families to appropriate agencies and follow up on referrals.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with community resources/partners by making on site visits.
• Orient and provide information to staff and parents regarding social services and community resources.
• Assist the Health and Mental Health Services Manager.
• Help families establish an ongoing relationship with health and dental care providers.
• Ensure that all medical and dental screens and appropriate follow up and/or referrals are completed, including initial education with parents with first screening.
• Ensure that the nutrition assessments are completed and appropriate follow up and/or referrals are completed to include discussing WIC/Nutrition goals with classroom staff and following up.
• Encourage parents to complete required immunizations for their children and keep CIS/Immunization Record up to date with all changes routed to ERSEA Data Specialist
• Work with teachers to prepare for the Comprehensive Parent Staff Conference for each child two times per year.
• Participate with team during preparation, as needed.
• Complete applicable portion of Comprehensive Parent Staff Conference Form
• Provide home base services to Tri County families enrolled in the Home Base program
• Home visit each enrolled family once per week for at least 1 ½ hours
• Provide two socialization experiences to enrolled family monthly.
• Follow all performance standards in regard to providing home base services.
• Ensure various attempts (at least 3) to make a home visit contact in cases where the parent was unable to meet at the predetermined time.
• Develop, with the parent, individualized plans for each home visit.
• Coordinate home activities incorporating family interests and goals.
• Encourage parents to become “teacher” on home visits
• Coordinate and implement parent education and support programs for agency families with outreach to the community.
• Review Parent Involvement Surveys for families interested and plan classes/groups based on survey results
• Encourage parents to attend parent education programs available through UMHS and share opportunities of other parent education opportunities offered in the community.
• Assist families in resolving barriers to attending parent education/support programs.
• Actively promote Early Head Start Parent Education/Peer Support Group offerings within the community and with agency partners (distributing flyers, brochures, registration forms, etc.)
• Assist in the implementation family engagement activities
• Work with center teams to encourage parents to be involved in all components and programs of the agency.
• Promote prevention and family strengthening activities (picnics, leadership training, parenting classes, sewing classes, quilting classes, etc.) with center staff and parents.
• Ensure that volunteers are always supervised and never left alone with a child.
• Be available as a resource person for Parent Center training upon request.
• Provide assistance to center teams for involving parents in all components and programs of the agency.
• Provide assistance to center teams for involving families in the agency programs.
• Assist Volunteer Coordinator in implementing family engagement activities.
• Identify and recruit parents to participate in Community Leadership Training and other Community activities.
• Assist in the coordination of the agency wide Wellness Day and promote activity with all parents.
• Work with families to problem solve around barriers to participation.
• Assist in the implementation of the agency’s volunteer/career ladder program Provide Parent Education as directed.
  

General Staff Responsibilities

• Participate in staff meetings, conferences, training sessions and workshops as assigned.
• Demonstrate familiarity with employment policies, performance standards, work plan and objectives of agency.
• Maintain congenial and respectful relations with staff, children, families, and community.
• Keep current and accurate records and file reports on time.
• Maintain confidentiality in regard to staff and family information.
• Maintain objectives and professional standards.
• Improve self skills and education.
• Fulfill role as mandated reporter as stated in Child Abuse and Neglect Policy
• Be present at work in order to provide consistency of services.
• Be a contributory team member in a positive/productive manner.
• Demonstrate commitment to mission, values, and policies in the performance of daily duties.
• And or any other duties deemed necessary by your supervisor.
• Salary is commensurate with education and experience.
  
  

Education Requirements

• BA in Social Services, Social Work, Sociology, or related field preferred OR have within eighteen months of hire, at a minimum, a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling or a related field and a minimum of a home based CDA credential or comparable credential, or equivalent coursework as part of an associate or bachelor’s degree.
  
  

Experience And Skills Requirements

• One year experience in social work
• Current CPR and First Aid cards
• Demonstrate skill and proficiency in outreach and retention.
• Experience and willingness to provide services to culturally diverse communities/families. Demonstrates a commitment to working well with parents, children, and staff of culturally diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to relate tactfully, confidently, sensitively, and non judgmentally with parents, staff, and community partners.
• Fluent in English and Spanish both verbally and written (preferred)
• Head Start experience (preferred)
• Community service experience (preferred)
• Multi cultural experience (preferred)
• Ability to drive a private or Agency vehicle; must possess a valid driver's license and personal automobile or provide a plan that will allow fulfillment of position requirements.
• Desire to work with low income children and their families.
• Observe, compare, and monitor behaviors, records, and data to determine compliance with prescribed standards.
  
  

Physical Requirements

The physical demands and work environment described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to:

• Sit for long periods of time with daily use of computer screen.
• Do tasks involving repetitive arm and hand movements, such as heavy word processing/keyboarding, using various office tools to collate, punch, cut, or stamp paper and other repetitive or high volume tasks such as bulk mailings, filing projects, etc.
• Occasional filing is required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bending as necessary.
• Occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
  

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment/Conditions

• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment. Job tasks are performed in close physical proximity to other people.
  
  

Safety

Apply safe practices in the performance of duties.

• Reporting of unsafe or hazardous working conditions and/or any injury immediately
• Complying with Agency safety standards
• Participate in emergency drills.
• Promote a culture of safe environments in the workplace.
  

Agency Wide Requirements

• Current enrollment in the Childcare Division’s Central Background Registry
• Current physical examination, drug screen, and TB screen documentation prior to hire
• Ability to drive a private or Agency vehicle; must possess a valid driver's license and personal automobile or provide a plan that will allow fulfillment of position requirements. A DMV Record check will be conducted prior to hire.
• Desire to work with low income children and their families.
• Communicate effectively with staff, families, children, and the public using the telephone and in face to face, one to one, and in group settings.
• Fluent in English both verbally and written.
  
  

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Umatilla Morrow Head Start, Inc. is committed to providing equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals in all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, job assignments, promotions, career advancement opportunities, working conditions, scheduling, disciplinary action, termination of employment, compensation, and access to benefits and training. We recruit, hire, and promote into all job levels the most qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics.