Description:
The Vocational Family Advocate (VFA) is responsible for supporting families in increasing their employability skills, advancing their education and obtaining employment to support family well-being. The VFA provides vocational case management, referrals and support services to families. The VFA develops and implements a Parent Training Program. The VFA works collaboratively with staff, families and community partners. Work is reviewed through regular coaching and feedback and annual performance reviews with supervisor.
Requirements:
Ensure the delivery of high-quality program services that are developmentally, culturally and linguistically appropriate. Support school readiness in a coordinated approach to comprehensive services, aligned with the Head Start Program Performance Standards, State and local licensing regulations, and Children First, Inc. Policies and Procedures.
- Two positions available: Bilingual/Biliterate English and Spanish required for one of the two positions.
- Have or within 18 months of hire, a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling or a related field.
- Preferred: Baccalaureate Degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology or related field with coursework in social services, counseling, psychology, child development, etc.
- Identify family strengths and needs related to family engagement outcomes as described in the Head Start Parent, Family and Community Engagement Framework, including family well-being, parent-child relationships, families as lifelong educators, families as learners, family engagement in transition, family connections to peers and the local community and families as advocates and leaders.
- Collaborate with families in a family partnership process that identifies needs, interests, strengths, goals and services and resources that support family well-being, including economic stability.
- Research and recommend new resources within the community.
- Develop and implement a Parent Training Program (PTP) that provides families with opportunities to work in a variety of areas with Children First, i.e. early childhood development, food service, clerical services or maintenance/craftsmanship.
- Integrate strategies into all systems and program services to support family well-being and promote children's learning and development.
- Build partnerships to facilitate access to employment and education opportunities within the community.
- Maintain professional relationships with staff, families and community agencies/businesses/schools.
- Assist families to understand economic stability and mobility.
- Participate in identification and recruitment of eligible families.
- Maintain regular contact with families to promote continuing services.
- Provide community resource referrals relevant to family needs and serve as liaison with those resources, follow-up as appropriate.
- Participate in agency and community sponsored events to promote family economic mobility through education, training and employment.
- Systematic approach designed to assist staff in acquiring, increasing and sharing the knowledge and skills needed to provide high-quality services within the scope of their job responsibilities.
- Assist in providing parents with educational and employment support services.
- Provide opportunities for parents to understand vocational services.
- Support families to participate in the agency offered family strengthening and economic stability and mobility offerings.
- Facilitate necessary referrals to community services.
- Other duties as assigned.
Children First offers a competitive benefits package and salary. Children First is an equal opportunity employer.
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