Child and Family Advocate

Provide family-centered support services to children and families by building trusting relationships, assessing needs, and connecting families with resources that promote stability, well-being, and positive child outcomes. Collaborate with families, center staff, and community partners to identify strengths, address challenges, and develop individualized support plans. Through advocacy, resource coordination, and ongoing engagement, the Family & Child Advocate helps strengthen families and supports the Encompass mission of fostering healthy children, strong families, and thriving communities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

1. Support the child referral process by collaborating with teaching staff, families, and community partners to identify developmental concerns, facilitate developmental screenings, coordinate referrals to appropriate early intervention and community resources, monitor follow-up activities, and advocate for services that promote positive outcomes for children and families.
2. Establish and maintain trusting relationships with families through culturally responsive, strengths-based, family-centered, and family-directed services.
3. Provide classroom-based support by collaborating with teaching staff to observe children, implement developmentally appropriate strategies, and promote positive behavioral, social-emotional, and developmental outcomes within the learning environment.
4. Provide classroom coverage and serve in an educator capacity when needed to support agency staffing needs, maintaining appropriate supervision, implementing developmentally appropriate practices, and supporting the needs of children and the classroom.
5. Complete family assessments and develop Family Support Plans based on family strengths, needs, and goals.
6. Collaborate with teaching staff, families, and Center Leadership to develop, implement, and monitor individualized action plans for children with developmental, behavioral, social-emotional, attendance, or other identified concerns, ensuring progress is documented and interventions are adjusted as needed.
7. Provide support, resources, and referrals to assist families in strengthening parent-child relationships, home environments, safety, nutrition, child development, and overall family well-being.
8. Connect families with appropriate Encompass programs and community resources to address identified needs and coordinate services that support children's developmental success.
9. Advocate for families and support access to services consistent with family preferences, program goals, and agency guidelines.
10. Collaborate with Center Leadership, teaching staff, and agency departments to identify and address child and family needs through coordinated planning and intervention.
11. Maintain regular communication and engagement with assigned families through center-based and community-based interactions.
12. Develop and maintain positive relationships with families, staff, community partners, and service providers.
13. Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential documentation related to family services, child action plans, referrals, classroom support activities, and program requirements.
14. Participate in family engagement, classroom support initiatives, agency events, and community outreach activities.
15. Support the Encompass mission by demonstrating professionalism, collaboration, confidentiality, and a commitment to positive outcomes for children and families in all interactions.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Other duties as assigned

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is performed in a classroom and childcare setting with young children. The position requires active supervision and engagement with children both indoors and outdoors. The work environment may include moderate to high noise levels and exposure to varying weather conditions during outdoor activities. Travel for training, meetings, or agency events may be required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

• Frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, crouching, and sitting on the floor while supervising and engaging with children.
• Ability to lift, carry, and assist children, supplies, and equipment weighing up to 30 pounds.
• Ability to move quickly and respond appropriately to children's needs and emergency situations.
• Ability to actively supervise children by sight and sound in classroom, playground, and outdoor environments.
• Frequent use of hands and arms for classroom activities, feeding, diapering, cleaning, and assisting children.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to see, hear, and communicate effectively with children, families, and staff.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: 

• Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Work, Early Childhood Education, Family Studies, Psychology, or a related field required.
• One or more years of experience in early childhood education, family support services, advocacy, social services, or a related field preferred.
• Training or experience in trauma-informed care, abuse and neglect prevention, family support services, or related areas preferred.
• Knowledge of community resources, support systems, and referral processes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.

SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Effective time management and organizational skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build trusting relationships with children, families, staff, and community partners. 
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations in a culturally responsive, nonjudgmental, supportive, and empowering manner.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Ability to assess family needs and connect families with appropriate resources and services.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with internal and external partners.
• Exhibits agency values in daily work and demonstrates commitment to the Encompass mission.