For more information about our organization, please visit us online at www.eastersealschicago.org.

Under the direction of the Family and Health Coordinator, the Family and Health Advocate builds relationships and provides ongoing direct support services to families at assigned sites. The FHA works collaboratively with sites and with the Early Learning Services team to deliver services that fulfill Head Start/Early Head Star/Preschool for All/Prevention Initiative requirements in the areas of: ERSEA (Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance), PFCE (Parent, Family and Community Engagement), Health and Nutrition, Inclusion, and Social Emotional.

$2,500 Signing Bonus offer extends until the end of April 2023.

This position is located in the Chicagoland area.

MAJOR FUNCTIONS/ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Develop and maintain professional relationships with administrative and teaching staff at assigned sites; provide support and monitoring to assist sites in meeting the Head Start Program Performance Standards and PFA/PI requirements.
• Develop and maintain a regular schedule of site visits (meeting current team requirements for frequency and hours per week) to ensure implementation of HS/EHS/PFA/PI services and ongoing contact with families. Schedule will include periodic after-hours events, such as parent workshops, and frequent flexibility (early morning and evening appointments/meetings/home visits as needed) to meet the schedules of families.
• Build trusting relationships with families and provide ongoing support through: at least one significant monthly contact with each family; family assessment and goal-setting; referrals and services, follow-up, and advocacy to meet family needs and interests; implementation of parent engagement curriculum.
• Provide two family visits per year to each family in their home or in a community setting. •
• Maintain full enrollment of Head Start/Early Head Start/PFA/PI children at assigned sites through ongoing recruitment, eligibility determination, and development of a waiting list; fill vacancies within 30 days.
• Implement attendance follow-up procedures, including attendance home visits as needed, to support regular attendance.
• Work with Easterseals and site staff to ensure that enrolled children remain up-to-date on well-child visits, physicals, immunizations, EPSDT-required screenings, vision and hearing, and dental exams; educate families on the purpose of preventive health care; ensure protocols are followed for any ongoing health issues (asthma, food allergies, etc.); follow up with families and doctors’ offices as needed.
• Measure heights and weights of children ages 2 and up according to twice-yearly schedule.
• Collaborate with teachers and instructional coaches to assist families to understand their child’s development through providing resources and referrals.
• Collaborate with teachers and instructional coaches to communicate with the parent as needed when there are developmental, social emotional, or behavioral concerns for which a referral is recommended.
• Participate in SRT (Screening Review Team) and Social Emotional Review Team meetings with the parent and team.
• As needed, accompany and support families at IEP/IFSP meetings and through the process of enrolling their child in services; support parents in advocating for their goals for their child.
• Work with staff and Social Emotional Specialists/Consultants to identify specific children/classrooms needing social emotional services; participate in planning and feedback meetings; follow up with families.
• Work with sites to encourage parent participation in site-level Parent Committees and agency-wide Policy Council; coordinate parent elections for Parent Committee officers and Policy Council Representatives.
• With Parent Committees and sites, plan annual Parent Involvement Activity Calendar and Budget, including annual Parent Orientation, Parent Committee meetings, parent workshops, and parent-child activities. Ensure that activities take place according to current requirements for frequency, content, etc. Coordinate and be present for these activities, and compile documentation into PFCE binder.
• Maintain complete and accurate records in the Child Plus system, including, but not limited to: demographic information, health information, enrollment dates, family assessments, family goals, referrals, and services, case notes, and follow-up.
• Maintain complete and accurate child/family binders.
• Utilizing Child Plus, implement tracking to ensure required timelines are met.
• Maintain complete and updated Community Resource Board at sites.
• Submit all required paperwork accurately and in a timely manner and attend all required meetings.
• Complete and submit site verification forms and maintain Outlook calendar.
• Participate in Enrollment/Recruitment Campaign, annual self-assessment, community assessment, and PIR.
• Contribute to achievement of program goals and school readiness goals and promote a culture of safety.
• All other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Education/Certification:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field strongly preferred.
• If bachelor’s degree is in another field, must be able to earn the Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Family Specialist Credential Level 5 within 18 months of hire.

Experience Required:

• 1 to 3 years of experience working with families of young children
• Bilingual ability (English/Spanish) preferred or required for some positions
• MS Office

Vehicle/Transportation Requirements:

• Valid driver’s license
• Auto insurance
• Reliable vehicle.
• Travel to Easterseals and partner sites regularly

Skills/Abilities:

• Able to establish rapport and build trusting relationship with families.
• Demonstrates a non-judgmental, compassionate, and culturally sensitive approach to
  working with families.
• Demonstrates a communication style that is open, adaptable, reflective, engaging,
  honest, and culturally sensitive.
• Ability to visit families in home and community settings, and to work flexible hours,
  including evenings, to meet family needs.
• Ability to engage in reflective learning practices and to utilize constructive feedback in
  order to inform work with families.
• Ability to work well with all levels of the organization, partner sites, other agencies and
  funding source personnel.
• Demonstrates the ability to conceptualize and articulate program outcomes.
• Ability to manage multiple projects.
• Well organized, highly detail oriented and accuracy driven.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

ADA: Easterseals will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disability Act of 1990. Unless exempted by the Americans with Disabilities Act, all persons hired for this position are required to possess the ability to perform the physical tasks necessary to treat clients, i.e., bending, floor-sitting, etc., as well as to have the ability to lift up to 50 pounds frequently.

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