Job Information
South Middlesex Opportunity Council Family Advocate in Framingham, Massachusetts
Why Work for SMOC?
Flexible schedule, work/life balance and a 35-hour work week.
Paid Time Off: All full-time employees can accrue up to 3 weeks of vacation, 2 weeks of sick time and are eligible for 12 paid holidays during their first year of employment.
Employer Paid Life Insurance & AD&D and Long-Term Disability after 6 months of employment.
Two Comprehensive Medical Plans with HRA Employer cost-sharing and 79% of premiums covered by the Employer.
Dental w/ Orthodontic Coverage with 75% of premiums covered by the Employer
EyeMed Vision Insurance
403(B) Retirement Plan with a company match on day one.
Additional voluntary benefits including – additional Term and Whole Life Insurance policies, Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, and Short-Term Disability.
Flexible Spending Accounts, Dependent Care Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement and more.
SUMMARY
Establishes and maintains a positive interactive relationship that provides support and understanding to and between families and classroom teams. Encourages and strengthens Parent, Family and Community Engagement for enrolled families. Supports and promotes School Readiness for children, families and communities.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Maintain working knowledge of SMOC Childcare and Head Start philosophy and all regulations and performance standards.
Maintains working knowledge of program philosophy and federal performance standards.
Attends and participates in all required training, staff meetings, committee meetings.
Maintains a weekly schedule and turns in schedule every Monday morning to Supervisor.
Communicates needs and/or concerns regarding children, families and/or staff with supervisor and Center Directors.
Communicates program and family information effectively in both verbally and in written documentation.
Provides accurate and timely reports, record keeping and other required paperwork.
Maintains accurate record for each child within assigned classrooms.
Maintains professional work habits, including attendance and punctuality.
Participates in implementation of recruitment plan, including intakes and recertification paperwork.
Participates in assigned classroom orientation.
Assists Classroom Teachers in Home Visits, Conferences, and ESI’s for translating when necessary.
Shares Intake Line coverage with other Advocates on rotating basis.
Initiates matters that benefit agency operations (additional projects, committees).
Meets regularly with classroom team to address child and family issues.
Assumes active role in classroom's Center Staff Meetings including documentation and family goals.
Coordinates, facilitates and participates in all Parent Center Meetings and actively recruits parents to attend.
Recruits parent volunteers as classroom representatives on Policy Council.
Attends and translates for Policy Council monthly.
Visits each assigned classroom for a minimum of one hour on a weekly basis to share information with education staff.
Cover in classrooms for feedback meetings and when necessary to keep the classroom open to children and families.
Maintains consistent contact with families to create positive, supportive relationships between family and program.
Offers crisis intervention, including referrals, to all assigned families as needed.
Visits each assigned caseload family a minimum of three (3) times during the school year to complete and update individualized Family Partnership Agreements (FPA).
Works with individual families to identify strengths and areas needing assistance as part of the FPA process.
Connects with follow-up phone calls between visits ensuring contact with agency and opportunity to update on progress with FPA goals.
Inputs Family Assessment, Goals and Referrals into COPA (Computer program).
Provides copy of Community Resource Book to all assigned families, highlighting services specific to the needs of the individual family.
Promotes Parent and Community Engagement by informing families of all program and community activities and opportunities available.
Works effectively as a member of a team and interacts with others in a helpful and courteous manner.
Engage all clients by understanding and addressing their needs whether within or outside the scope of work.
Attend and participate in engagement team meetings as requested and communicate effectively with clients and staff in other areas.
Maintain confidentiality of client, employee and agency information in accordance with federal and state laws and funder requirements.
Ensure compliance with program/department, agency and/or funder requirements, as well as SMOC policies & procedures.
If applicable, support classroom teachers in translating when needed to Families and children for Conferences, meetings, and ESI assessments.
Other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Bilingual staff encouraged to apply.
Relevant experience preferred.
Valid driver’s license, and reliable transportation required.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Physical exam by physician every two years
Negative TB screen
First Aid Certification
Child CPR Certification
Ability to drive.
ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP
Directly reports to Family Services Manager
Indirectly reports to NONE.
Direct reports of this position are none.
Indirect reports of this position are none.
WORKING CONDITIONS
As part of the responsibilities of this position, the Family Advocate will have direct or incidental contact with clients served by SMOC in various programs funded or administered through the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. A successful background check is required.
We are an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace.
Monday - Friday some days 8:00am - 4:30 pm and some days 9:30am - 6:00pm
40 Hours per week