Family Advocate (Remote) 9/23/2023

Summary

South Central Child Development, Inc. (SCCD) provides Head Start Preschool and family services within 16 counties in South Central South Dakota since 1978.  SCCD is seeking a compassionate and dedicated individual who is driven by making a positive difference in the community and empowering families.  In this position, the ideal candidate will facilitate enrollment into the Head Start Preschool program, provide comprehensive support services for the entire family unit, collaborate with families and partners to access vital resources and support families in the education of their children.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Ongoing recruitment of families for the Head Start Preschool program, including assisting families in the completion of the application and verification of family income
• Completing acceptance packets with enrolled families
• Distribute program information regarding program activities and goals
• Assist with local parent group organization and attend parent meetings when requested by the Area Leader, Executive Director or leadership team
• Encourage parents to become active participants in the Head Start Preschool program
• Facilitate parent education and parenting programs at the request of the leadership team
• Complete family service assessments and family partnership agreements
  
• Provide families with follow-up resources and materials to support families in accessing community resources
• Responsible for making family home visits and contacts
• Provide In-Kind training to parents and families as directed by the Area Leader, Executive Director or leadership team
  
• Provide ongoing support to families in the achievement of their family goals
  
• Provide referrals and assistance to families in crisis
• Support families with the IEP (Individual Education Plan) process, including transportation and/or attendance to the IEP meeting(s) if requested
• Attend Child Protection Team Meetings when directed by the Area Leader, Executive Director or leadership team
• Provide follow-up monitoring of child attendance issues, as needed, and complete an attendance plan with families with chronic absenteeism
• Assist in planning transition services for families in cooperation with local schools
• Provide added support to families who may be "at risk" and of "high needs"
• Assist in identifying resources for families and sharing with Area Leaders and Family Advocates
• Assist and/or provide opportunities for families to participate in family literacy activities
• Assist with developmental screenings and vision and hearing screenings as needed and directed by Area Leader, Executive Director or leadership team
• Assist and provide follow-up of any medical or dental exams and/or referrals from clinics, including transportation to these appointments if requested
• Assist parents with program-related travel requests as directed by the Area Leader, Executive Director or leadership team
• Assist in planning transition services for families in cooperation with local schools
• Complete all required data entry in ChildPlus, including data needed for the annual PIR (Program Information Report)
• Prepares reports as requested by the Area Leader, Executive Director or leadership team
• Other duties as assigned by the Area Leader, SCCD Administration or leadership team

Other Information

This position is located South Central South Dakota (Davison or Hutchinson County preferred) and works Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm with pay starting at $20.96/hr. depending on education.  This position works from home, but the employee must live within the agency's 16 county service area.

Reports To:  Area Leader

Also Works With:  Executive Director and the agency's leadership team

Qualifications and Skills

Required:

• High School Diploma or GED
  
• Must be willing to travel to attend required staff meetings, trainings and continuing education
• Must be able to maintain confidential information
• Must be able to work flexible hours (including some evenings), when needed, to meet the needs of the families and children in the program
• Must have a valid driver's license and access to a vehicle if they're unable to use the agency vehicle
• Must work with a variety of people in a professional and courteous manner
• Must be knowledgeable of office software applications (Microsoft Word, Excel, etc.)
• Must be organized, accurate and efficient
  
• Must be able to work independently with limited direction
  
• Must communicate effectively, both verbal and written
  
• Must be able to work cooperatively with the team, agency leadership and administrative personnel.
  
• Must document and report suspected child abuse and neglect by following the program's reporting procedures
• Must successfully complete all required background screenings, including State and FBI fingerprinting, sex offender registry and reports of abuse and neglect, and an employment physical
  

Preferred:

• Associates or higher degree in Social Services, Family Studies or Human Services
• Previous experience working with social service agencies or related service delivery organizations
• Previous experience working with children, families and community resources

Comprehensive Benefits

• Agency Vehicle
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
  • $50,000 employer paid life insurance
  • Voluntary options for spouses and children
• Retirement Benefits
  • 100% employer paid profit sharing retirement plan
    • New employees become vested over 5 years
  • Employee 401(k) with both Traditional and Roth options available
  • Direct access to a financial expert for retirement investment information
• Paid Time Off
  • Paid vacation leave
  • Paid sick leave
  • 14 paid holidays
    
• Other Benefits
  
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees, their spouses and dependent children
  • AFLAC
  • Priority enrollment for children of SCCD employees.
  • Student Loan Forgiveness: SCCD is a qualified employer under that Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.  See PSLF for details.