Characteristics of Work

This Family Opportunities Advisor (H.S.) advocates and works primarily with Head Start families from every station in life and sometimes dire economic backdrops to ease them through transitions, hardships, and mentally tough times. This position is responsible for working within a team to assist in delivering services to Head Start children and their families utilizing a case management approach. 

Essential Functions

These essential functions include but are not limited to, the following.  Additional essential functions may be identified and included by the Agency or assigned by the supervisor. 

Ensure families have access to all needed resources both internally and externally. Ensures ongoing relationship-building with families. This could include conducting home visits to ensure opportunities are met.

Record Keeping and Reporting

Compiles and submits reports on the services provided to/received by the customers and/or on the customer’s progress in the program to the case manager supervisor upon request.

Reviews and updates customer roster, daily schedule, customer services, and allocation amount.

Maintains comprehensive, confidential social/health services files on each enrolled child.

Inputs data into computer applications to effectively track services as directed.

Accurately documents all contacts with families, including types of referrals made and types of services delivered.

Communicating and Guiding

Provides referral assistance to families in crisis situations.

Provides Community Resource Directory, Parent Handbook, and other program materials to parents.

Collects survey information from families and the community.

Show top customer service skills, including returning customer calls in a timely manner and scheduling follow-up appointments when necessary.

Training and Supporting

Participate in staff meetings, team planning sessions, and parent meetings.

Participate in Agency training, workshops, conferences, and in-service training as it relates to program operations.

Actively solicits parent involvement in the program.

Recruit volunteers and in-kind contributions.

Qualifications

A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university, good writing and documentation skills, and computer experience. Handles pressure, objectivity, confidentiality, organization, planning, reporting skills, persistence, proactive listening, verbal communication, and client relationships.

Supervisory Control

The Family Opportunities Advisor (H.S.) is directly responsible to the Center Administrator who is responsible to the Assistant Vice President for Head Start and Early Childhood Programs.  The Family Opportunities Advisor (H.S.) will be evaluated biannually by the Center Administrator.  This evaluation will be conducted through a process of performance monitoring and progress reviews.  The evaluation will be reviewed and approved by the Family and Community Services Director and in coordination with the Family Opportunities Advisor Supervisor. The Family Opportunities Advisor (H.S.) will be monitored on an ongoing basis by the Family and Community Services Director the Family Opportunities Advisor Supervisor.