Family Advocate

Job TypeFull-timeDescriptionJOIN THE ECS4Kids TEAMECS4Kids (formerly Episcopal Children’s Services) is a 2026 Top Workplace that honors young children’s immense potential by helping them enter school ready to learn. We cultivate lifelong learners by immersing children in enriching guided experiences and discovery-oriented approaches. Through programs like Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK), Head Start, School Readiness, Child Care Resource & Referral (CCRR), and more, our dedicated professionals work with families and caregivers throughout Florida to promote children’s well-being. These enable us to strengthen key areas including motor development, cognitive development, social and emotional development, language and communication skills, and problem-solving skills.Partner with us to help empower communities to rise above generational poverty with comprehensive early childhood education and holistic family support. We have career opportunities available in several counties throughout Northeast and Central Florida.ECS4Kids offers a competitive benefit package which includes:Medical, dental and vision insurance403(b) plan with 5% employer matchEmployee Assistance Program (EAP)Long-term & short-term disability insuranceEmployer-paid life insurancePaid holidaysGenerous paid time offCareer developmentQualifying employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness ProgramGENERAL DESCRIPTION:Primary responsibilities: To enroll eligible children and families in the Head Start/Early Head Start program and maintain center enrollment. To build professional helping relationships with families in order to develop family support plans that help families towards increased self-reliance and healthyinterdependence. To ensure that Families’ strengths and needs are assessed and that appropriate referral and follow-up services are provided.MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:Work with Childcare Resource & Referral to obtain referrals of prospective eligible children & families. Recruit children/families, interview applicants, complete applications and enter applications into ChildPlus. Maintain an accurate prioritized listing of eligible children waiting to enter the program. Enroll and re-enroll eligible children who have the highest priority according to the selection criteria. Maintain qualifying roster and child participation forms for USDA food program. Maintain on-going maximum center enrollment. Monitor children’s attendance for excessive absences or irregular attendance. Maintain current health records on all children enrolled. Assist with screenings as needed. Work with the Head Start support staff to ensure children receive the health, mental health, and/or special needs services they may be eligible for. Gather and maintain accurate non-federal share records and other documentation of parent involvement activities. Meet with families to gather information regarding family strengths and needs and develop a family support plan that includes goals, tasks, timelines and follow-up. Provide referral to families to appropriate service providers that will help meet the families’ interests and needs. Provide timely follow-up to referrals and family support plans. Maintain accurate documentation of family files and family services provided. Use the Office of Head Start Parent Family Community Engagement Framework and the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework as a tool to provide families will support and services. Plan and attend monthly parent meetings, workshops, trainings, and other parent engagement and literacy activities. Develop and distribute center newsletters, calendars, and flyers. Attend community inter-agency meetings to inform and update the community of services offered by Head Start and encourage collaboration. Ensure policy council representation is met for each scheduled meeting. Participate in school readiness transition activities. Advocate on behalf of ECS4Kids Head Start and the children and families enrolled in the program. Submit accurate reports as requested. Continue to pursue education and/or professional development goals. (These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other related marginal duties as required.)ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP:This position reports to the Family Services ManagerRequirementsEDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:High School Diploma or equivalent required; Associate degree in Social Work, Psychology, or other human services related field and experience working with populations served by the grant, expectant women and children birth through age four preferredStaff hired after November 7, 2016, must have within eighteen months of hire, at a minimum, a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling or a related fieldAn unrelated degree with six credit hours in relevant subjects (e.g., family systems, case management, counseling, social work, etc.) may satisfy the requirementsSKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:Knowledge and experience related to child development and early childhood education; the principles of child and expectant women health, safety, and nutrition; adult learning principles, and family dynamicsAbility to effectively present information and respond to questions from all members of the staff and the general public with varying abilitiesAbility to communicate with and motivate families to achieve set goalsKnowledge of community resources and the skills to link families, especially those coping with crisis, with appropriate agencies and servicesAble to maintain a flexible working schedule in order to accommodate families and program activities, which include some evenings and weekendsAbility to demonstrate problem solving skills, counseling skills, and empathy toward needs of parentsKnowledge of applicable safety and abuse-reporting proceduresAbility to work independently with little direct supervisionKnowledge of Microsoft Office products at an intermediate to advanced levelAbility to maintain confidential informationAbility to plan and organize work as well as maintain records and prepare reportsAbility to multi-task, prioritize and work in fast-paced environmentLICENSES, CERTIFICATION OR REGISTRATIONS:Valid driver’s license and proof of automobile coverageSatisfactory Driving Record (as outlined in Vehicle Driving Policy)Complete 24 hours of in-service/professional development training hours each fiscal year (July- June)Must have current First Aid and Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) trainingENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:Works inside in a childcare settingTravel to multiple sites requiredESSENTIAL PHYSICAL SKILLS:Acceptable eyesight & hearing (with or without correction)Ability to communicate both orally and in writingAbility to access file cabinets for filing and retrieval of dataAbility to sit at a desk and view a display screen for extended periods of time(Reasonable accommodation will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability)Background RequirementsA Level II Background Screening which consists of a local, state, and federal criminal check will be completed on all employees and any contracted employee position, intern position or volunteer position in which individuals have contact with children, have access to confidential information and / or are in a position of special trust. To learn more about the system used to conduct these checks, you can use this link - https://info.flclearinghouse.com/Salary Description$22.93 - $23.95 per hour