Job Title

JOB DESCRIPTIONSince 1966, the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) has been dedicated to providing innovative, high quality, and cost-effective educational programs and services to meet the diverse needs of children and adults in Greater Hartford. Serving 33 member districts and reaching additional communities statewide, CREC supports approximately 12,000 students annually through more than 120 educational programs. Our offerings include professional learning and coaching for educators, specialized programming for students with diverse needs, and PreK-12 education across 16 interdistrict magnet schools. Additionally, CREC provides school construction, operations, and cooperative business services, while also delivering programs that help adults build real, job-ready skills. --------------------- --------------------------- Position Title: Family Advocate Classification: 129, EC15NE Reports To: Family Support Specialist Effective Date: --------------------- ---------------------------POSITION SUMMARY:The Family Advocate is responsible for working with families to determine their immediate needs and providing the resources needed to achieve the family's self-identified goals. The Family Advocate is also responsible for partnering with the teaching and content area staff to ensure ongoing communication to support positive outcomes of children and families. The Family Advocate supports recruitment, marketing, enrollment, and family engagement.ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:Duties/Responsibilities- Engage families in the Family Partnership process through the completion of family needs assessments, monthly contacts (at minimum), goal setting and action steps, resource sharing, crisis support, and ongoing family engagement.```{=html}```- Develop and maintain open channels of communication between Head Start program staff, families, and the community; support families' ability to advocate their needs in the school and community environments.```{=html}```- Report the needs of children and families to appropriate content area specialists. Identify additional services needed in conjunction with appropriate center staff.```{=html}```- Provide training and education to families in using available resources and obtaining community services; collaborate with community agencies to ensure that families have access to services that support their physical, mental, and social well-being.```{=html}```- Maintain and enter family data into the program database in a timely, accurate, and confidential manner to facilitate services.```{=html}```- Promote Early/Head Start program and services and encourage family participation.```{=html}```- Assist in the recruitment and enrollment of children; complete all necessary eligibility determination paperwork in compliance with the Head Start Program Performance Standards.```{=html}```- Support the Early Childhood Clinicians in relationship development with families; engaging families in mental health services as appropriate.```{=html}```- Support tracking and documentation of health records to ensure that children receive recommended treatment and follow-up; assist parents in strengthening the family's access to and knowledge of health and nutrition; provide information and referrals as necessary.```{=html}```- Make home visits to families as needed or required for attendance follow-up and for home-to-school connection meetings (family needs assessments).```{=html}```- Assist parents with transitional activities into the program, between program options, between centers or classrooms, and upon exit from the program.```{=html}```- Meet with the Family Support Specialist, monthly and as necessary, to share information on families to discuss how each family's needs and t e services being provided.```{=html}```- Assist with planning and execution of monthly and seasonal Parent Committee Meetings, celebrations, classroom parent engagement activities, and parent workshops/presentations.```{=html}```- Support the Site Supervisor with lunch break and bathroom break coverage in classrooms, as needed.```{=html}```- Participate in training opportunities, state meetings, committees, and task forces as appropriate.```{=html}```- Maintain strict confidentiality with respect to Head Start/Early Head Start children, families, and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures.```{=html}```- Create, foster, and maintain a positive culture and climate across the program and support the mission and vision of CREC and CREC Head Start.