Early Head Start Family Support Advocate

Position Details

Position Information

Position Type
Civil Service

Classification Title
Program Services Aide

Position's Functional Title
Early Head Start Family Support Advocate

Position Start Date
04/17/2023

Position End Date (if temporary)

Position Summary

Governors State University’s Family Development Center is seeking to hire an Early Head Start Family Support Advocate to actively recruit eligible families to the program offered at the Family Development Center. This position will assist eligible and interested families with the enrollment process and be the first point-of-contact. The FSA will provide comprehensive services and focus on family services, parent engagement and community resources referrals. Under the Family Services Director, this position will abide by eligibility requirements under the Head Start Performance Standards.

Essential Responsibilities:
90%
1. Take inquiries and applications for Family Development Center Programs. Follows up with families, including but not limited to their medical providers to assure all health, dental, referrals and any additional paperwork is received. Contact and communicate with interested families via phone, email, Webex, in-person or by other means as necessary, ensuring the program maintains a welcoming environment for families.
2. Collaborate and coordinate with interdisciplinary team, including but not limited to the HSD, FSD, Ed. Director, PreK FSS, IT Supervisor, PreK Supervisor, Center Director and Bookkeeper to enroll and orient and engage families in the FDC Programs. Assure all DCFS, Health and DHS childcare paperwork is in place prior to enrollment.
3. Actively plan, track, recruit, and market the FDC Programs within the community/service area, including but not limited to going door to door, holding/attending community events, attending/holding community meetings and networking with current and potential community partners.
4. Track classroom attendance daily, completing reports and turning them into the FSD
5. Complete classroom head counts based on attendance and conduct calls to families not in attendance by 10:00am daily, logging all communication.
6. Follow-up on all absences daily and performing wellness checks in person with chronic absences within three (3) days with continual communication documentation and communicating chronic absences to the FSD .
7. Complete and maintain Family Strengths and Needs Assessments bi-annually with all enrolled families, engaging and encouraging all families to create Family Goals while maintaining a minimum of 60% of families who have ongoing goals, provide social services referrals, maintaining detailed notes and documentation, and following up with the needs of families, updating the Family Goals systematically.
8. Plan, present and attend all parent events at the center, including evening and weekend meetings.
9. Implement EHS and DCFS plan by performing transition meetings of children with their family, including but not limited to children transitioning at two and a half (2.5) years of age until the child exits the program.
10. Maintain, track and follow-up with all, but not limited to, medical, dental, physicals, immunizations, social services, disabilities and developmental screenings.
11. Maintain detailed records and clear communication, partnering with families and classroom teachers to provide a holistic educational experience.
12. Create and maintain all assigned children and family files in a confidential and orderly manner.
13. Complete all documentation within assigned deadlines, including but not limited to 45 days screening referrals.
14. Complete all data entry into computerized database and tracking system by assigned deadlines
15. Maintain and engage families in a Parent Committee, inclusive of a diverse range of family perspectives and other leadership opportunities.

5%
1. Assist families needing transportation for medical, social service or other non-children needs to appointments including providing transportation using agency van to and from parent meetings and policy council as needed.
2. Attend required/requested Early Head Start/Preschool For All, DCFS, Gateways training programs.
3. Attend community meetings as assigned
4. Assist in collecting data for the annual self-assessment and community assessment
5. Other duties as assigned

5%
Other Responsibilities:
1. Adhere to all plans, policies and procedures of Governors State University, Family Development Center and Early Head Start.
2. Stays well informed regarding family engagement and recruitment.
3. Attend all meetings and trainings as required.
4. Comply with regulatory health requirements, including a pre-employment physical and lift test. Provide proof of MMR and DTAP immunizations, initial TB test and annual DCFS Physical Exam.
5. Assists with questions and problems courteously and promptly.
6. Review GSU work email and respond as needed.

Starting Hourly Rate: $16.54
(This is a non-unionized position. Wages starts at the base and is determined based on Education and Experience exceeding the minimum qualifications).

This position qualifies for an expansive suite of fringe benefits including, various insurance options, paid time off, retirement and investment options, and tuition waivers. Visit: https://www.govst.edu/benefits/ .

Minimum Qualifications

REQUIRED : DOCUMENTATION CONFIRMING HIGH SCHOOL COMPLETION OR EQUIVALENT MUST BE ATTACHED FOR CONSIDERATION OF THIS POSITION, COLLEGE / UNIVERSITY TRANSCRIPTS MAY BE SUBSTITUTED (See “Special instructions to applicants” section below).

1. Any one or any combination totaling two (2) years (24 months) from the following categories:
A. college course work in behavioral science, social work, sociology, psychology, or a closely related field as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:
- 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
- Associate’s Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months)
- 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
- Bachelor’s Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months)
B. work experience that provided a knowledge of human behavior by having demonstrated through public contact the ability to cope with a variety of people, (such as customer service, salesperson, or receptionist).

* Must have valid driver’s license and use of a dependable, insured vehicle .

EXAM TYPE : CREDENTIALS ASSESSMENT ( YOU DO NOT HAVE TO COME IN TO TAKE THIS EXAM ).

For more information about this classification, visit: https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/Detail.aspx?tblClassIndexID=3985.

Preferred Qualifications

• A credential or certification in Social Work, Human Services, Family Services, Counseling, Related field or have within eighteen months of hire, at a minimum, a credential or certification in Social Work, Human Services, Family Services, Counseling, or a Related field.
• General knowledge of child development and family services.
• Prior experience working within an early childhood center and family
• Prior experience working with Microsoft Operations and ChildPlus data management system
• Must be able to read, write, and do basic calculations.

Posting Date
03/14/2023

Closing Date
03/27/2023

Open Until Filled
No

Posting Number
CS0774P

Type of Search
External

Quicklink for Posting
https://employment.govst.edu/postings/8378

Employee ID

Department

Special Instructions to Applicants

DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENT :
For consideration, applicants are required to attach the following:
1: Documentation confirming High School completion or equivalent ( COLLEGE / UNIVERSITY TRANSCRIPTS MAY BE SUBSTITUTED ).
2: Online Application – Must be fully completed, include all dates of employment, employment status (full-time or if part-time, include percentages), job duties and responsibilities (full details).
3: Cover Letter.
4: Resume.
5: A list of three Professional References (We will only contact your references if you are a finalist).

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT :
Illinois residency required within 180 days of the hire date.

CREDENTIAL ASSESSMENT EXAM DETAILS :
This vacancy involves a Credential Assessment Examination which consist of a review and rating of the applicants Education, Experience, Licenses, and other qualifications. Applicants are required to provide electronic documentation as listed above to verify that the minimum qualifications for this position have been met.

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE POINTS :
Veterans may be eligible to receive additional points on a passing final examination score. To determine eligibility, submit one of the following documents to the Department of Human Resources:
1: Department of Defense – DD214 / DD215
2: National Guard – NGB22 Form
3: Discharge Orders
4: Reserves – DD256 Discharge Certificate

Note: Documentation must be received by the closing date of this posting.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
   • Public Job Posting
   • Internal Job Posting
   • Agency Referral
   • Advertisement/Publication
   • Personal Referral
   • Website
   • Other
2. * Are you a resident of the State of Illinois?
   • Yes
   • No
3. * How many years of experience do you have in this type of position?
   • 0-1
   • 1-3
   • 3-5
   • 5-7
   • 7+
4. * Please describe your experience working with Human and/or Social Service programs.
   
   (Open Ended Question)
   
   
5. Are you available to work in the evening (6 pm to 10 pm)?
   • Yes
   • No
6. * Please describe the attributes that will make you a strong candidate for this position.
   
   (Open Ended Question)
   
   
7. * Do you have a valid State of Illinois Driver’s License?
   • Yes
   • No
8. * Please describe any previous experience you have working in a customer service environment.
   
   (Open Ended Question)
   
   
9. * Are you a current or former Head Start or Early Head Start Parent?
   • Yes
   • No
10. Have you completed the entire application including beginning and end dates of employment, full time/part time status, and percentages?
    • Yes
    • No
11. Have you attached a copy of your high school diploma/GED or transcripts to confirm that you have a high school diploma/GED? (You may substitute with college/university transcripts.)
    • Yes
    • No

Required Documents
Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter
3. List of Three Professional References
4. High School Diploma or GED
5. Transcripts
6. Valid Driver's License

Optional Documents

1. Veteran’s/Military Preference Points Documentation
2. Letter of Recommendation
3. Other
4. Other2
5. Other3
6. Written Response to Interview Question 1