Family Advocate

FAMILY ADVOCATE
West Covina, Calif. | Office/other 

About our organization 

Since 1981, Options for Learning has been at the forefront of helping families break the cycle of poverty and improve their lives by providing tools to create a positive foundation for school, social, and life success. Our dedicated and passionate employees have helped our organization become one of Southern California’s most innovative and progressive child development organizations, serving more than 9,600 children throughout the San Gabriel Valley. 

About this position 

This position is responsible for providing valuable support services, resources, and referrals to families, as well as partnering with them to set family goals and promote positive child and family outcomes. The successful candidate will have experience working directly with families from diverse populations and a proven record of building trust and rapport. The family advocate understands the challenges faced by families in our communities and is able to support them in setting and reaching family goals using a strengths-based approach.  

The family advocate is able to work effectively independently, as well as collaboratively across teams, and thrive in a fast-paced environment. We are looking for someone who is passionate about helping children and families thrive and reach their full potential. 

What you’ll be doing 

• Advocating for parents beginning at enrollment and continuing through the end of their time with the organization by providing needed resources and referrals for health, education, job training, counseling, and other services for children and families; 
• Maintaining detailed records on families served, referrals provided, services provided, services received, family goal progression, and outcomes achieved while maintaining confidentiality; 
• Attending in-person and virtual home visits to partner with parents and education staff in setting family goals and monitoring progress and outcomes; 
• Working collaboratively with the Enrollment, Health Services, and Inclusion Departments to conduct child and family screenings within required timelines; 
• Inputting data in the student information system (Hubbe and others) accurately, consistently, and on time; 
• Monitoring and reporting on data related to family engagement, parent involvement, family goal progression, and quality of resources;  
• Partnering with Enrollment, Education, Health Services, Inclusion, Communications, and Recruitment and Outreach departments in the coordination of family engagement resources, newsletters, activities, parent meetings, support groups, workshops, and events based on family needs and interests; 
• Working with parents and education staff to boost parent participation in meetings, events, workshops, and advocacy opportunities; 
• Attending training as required; 
• Performing other duties as assigned.

What you bring to the table 

• Associate’s degree in human services, social work, psychology, sociology, or related field; 
• Minimum of six months of experience in facilitating classes, meetings, activities, or events for families; 
• Minimum of two years of experience working with children and families from diverse populations utilizing a strengths-based approach; 
• Knowledge of Head Start performance standards and Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Framework family and child outcomes; 
• Experience handling parent concerns and family needs with sensitivity and respect;  
• Ability to advocate for parents and families with federal, state, and private agencies to obtain services; 
• Ability to transport parents when needed; 
• Completion of mandated reporter certification training, to be renewed every two years; 
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and across departments to effectively meet the needs of children and families; 
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills; 
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment; 
• Bilingual in Spanish or Mandarin (preferred). 

What we can offer you 

• Medical/dental/vision for part- and full-time employees (organization pays up to 95% of employees’ premiums; prorated for part-time); 
• Organization-paid and matching retirement plan; 
• Professional growth opportunities, including free child development courses and college reimbursement; 
• Generous and flexible PTO; 
• Dedicated, mission-driven colleagues, and much more! 

Job specifications 

• Reports to the family engagement supervisor; 
• Full-time, year-round position; 
• Eight-hour workday, four-day workweek; 
• Hybrid work schedule with approval by management; 
• Organization-wide winter break; 
• Limited evening or weekend work may be required; 
• Employment, responsibilities, compensation and other factors may be affected by changes in governmental regulations, the organization’s contracts, or at the organization’s discretion. 

Salary 

• $25.00 to 33.00 per hour (candidates should anticipate receiving an offer within the first quartile of the salary range).