Home Educator/Family Development Worker

What began in a 500-unit public housing development in San Antonio, Texas, with an annual budget of $50,000 serving 35 families, AVANCE has grown to over 100 program sites across the U.S., serving thousands of parents and children annually through early childhood education/parenting and family support services.

AVANCE is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit, community-based organization originally conceptualized at Cornell University by graduate students of Dr. Urie Bronfenbrenner. The first AVANCE Mother-Infant Program was established in Dallas, Texas in 1972 with funding from the Zale Corporation. Zale then provided seed funding to bring the program to San Antonio, Texas and hired Gloria Rodriguez as the first Executive Director of the San Antonio branch in 1973.

While the Dallas site closed its doors in 1974, AVANCE in San Antonio continued and Dr. Rodriguez became the visionary leader whom firmly established, enhanced and expanded the concept in San Antonio, developing the AVANCE Parent-Child Education Program into the effective and comprehensive program it is today. AVANCE is widely recognized as a national model and best practice in early childhood education.

Position Summary:

 This position is responsible for conducting weekly home visits, observing the parent interaction with the child during program activities, assisting in addressing problems in the home, and providing appropriate referrals for needed services.  This position will also be responsible for providing families with comprehensive family development and adult education service through the development and implementation of an individualized service delivery plan.  The provision of all services will focus on promoting the educational and economic success of he parents that in turn will promote the child's overall growth and development.

Working Conditions:

Work may involve unusual and extended working hours, including evenings and weekends.  Must have flexible schedule.  Work inside and outside of facilities.  Work in family's home.  Work in various types of weather conditions. Occasional exposure to childhood illnesses. Must be able to handle multiple tasks.

1. Schedule appointments with participants for weekly home visits.
2. Need to add verbiage on Socialization
3. Provides families with comprehensive case management and family development services that include in-home visits, advocacy, and transportation and referral services.
4. Assesses families' needs based on enrollment information and intake interview.  Develops an individual family service plan to address identified needs which focuses on the development of family strengths.
5. Assists families in developing goals and objectives and sets systems in place for tracking the accomplishments of their goals and objectives
6. Monitors, evaluates and modifies families' service delivery plan on a regularly scheduled basis
7. Ensures that the families receive needed services from child care and support staff or outside agencies and individuals.  Serves as an advocate or broker to link early head start families to community resources and services.
8. Recruits program participants, complies with obtaining all data as required and conducts intakes as needed.
9. Makes required number of contacts with each family and maintains accurate and timely documentation and narrative reports in families' folders.
10. Participates in meetings and briefings as a contributing member of the team; as well as participated in scheduled client staffing, introduces family cases for review and input from peer group; participates in all aspects of the program's recruitment and enrollment efforts.
11. Communicates with appropriate staff on assigned cases to solicit input and direction regarding levels an types of services needed and/or that are being provided.
12. Assists in providing Program Overview to parents, Parent Committee/Policy Council members and other visitors as assigned.  Also assists Parents' Committees in conducting/facilitating the monthly parent meetings.
13. Becomes thoroughly familiar with Performance Standards as they relate to this position ad all aspects of the program.
14. Researchers community resources for additional service opportunities for parents
15. Access community resources and services to participants
16. Assist the participants by proving information and available resources and services
17. Advocates on behalf of the families and follows up on referrals to participants
18. Ensures developmental screenings/assessments are implemented in a timely manner in accordance to the framework.
19. Attends trainings mandated by Early Head Start in order to be in compliance with Performance Standards.
20. Become familiar with our research based curriculum in place for children and pregnant women.
21. Work with Intervention Support Specialist to meet any behavior issues.
22. Input data into PROMIS database
23. Other duties as assigned
    

Education: AA Degree in Early Childhood Education and/or related field Preferred: Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Education or related field

Experience: Experience working with infants and toddlers, community liaison in any human service agency

Testing: Criminal Background check, Pre-screening drug testing, TB Testing, bilingual in English/Spanish

Special Skills: 1.Knowledge of intervention strategies 2. Knowledge and understanding of the target community 3. Able to respond to family crisis situations in a timely and appropriate manner 4. Computer literate and have proficient working knowledge in word processing, spreadsheets and databases 5. Cultural sensitivity 6. Communicate with families in a professional level 7. Must have reliable transportation, valid driver's license, proof of current liability insurance, and be insurable by AVANCE 8. Be available to work occasional evenings and weekends 9. Able to handle multiple tasks in an organized manner 10. Must be able to lift, push, pull or move 15-30 lbs. on a frequent basis

ATTN: Carolina Guerrero, This position is for the Del Rio located in Del Rio, Texas

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE Due to the volume of interest, we cannot respond to every resume and we are unable to provide ongoing status. You will only be contacted if you are determined to be one of the most qualified candidates for the position(s) based on your skills and experience.

Positions open until filled. Must pass background check, physical and drug screen.

AVANCE is an Equal Opportunity Employer