Child and Family Advocate

Description

The Child and Family Advocate works within the Early Education Support Team to collaborate with families, children, educators, and community partners to ensure that the program meets the whole needs of the child and family goals are achievable. This individual provides overall classroom support for the development and implementation of HighScope, provides guidance to educators including conflict resolution and behavior management strategies utilizing Conscious Discipline, and facilitates goal planning for families. 

Requirements

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• Establish a trusting relationship with children and families by the delivery of service that is culturally competent, strength-based, family-centered, and family directed.
• Understand, model, and teach HighScope curriculum, and Conscious Discipline.
• Complete individualized assessments (i.e., ASQ, ESQ, COR Advantage), develop and implement support plans based on individual needs and preferences.
• Provide support to educators in conflict resolution, behavior management, special needs, and other related concerns with the children within the classroom. 
• Provide education opportunities to families, children, and staff related to Conscious Discipline, HighScope, positive parent-child interaction, safety, nutrition, or what may be deemed appropriate to meet individual, family, classroom, and organizational needs.
• Identify and establish community partnerships for resources to be utilized within the organization, including but not limited to: family community resources, professional development opportunities, and/or child behavior management classes.
• Work in cooperation with other Advocates, Teachers, and Directors within the organization.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• Support the Encompass mission, demonstrating professionalism and confidentiality in all encounters.
• Other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Moderate noise level in work environment and often required to stand, bend, and lift up to 30 pounds and safely operate small equipment
• Required to talk, hear and the ability for close vision
• Regularly required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, climb/balance, stoop, kneel or crouch

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or a closely related field highly preferred
• Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education with progress toward Bachelor’s Degree required
• 2-3 years of experience in an early childhood environment
• Knowledge of HighScope curriculum and Conscious Discipline 
• Experience with DCF licensing and NAEYC regulations and guidelines

SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills
• Strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills
• Critical thinking and problem-solving ability
• Effective time management and organizational skills
• Ability to work with diverse population in ways that are culturally competency, non-judgmental and empowering
• Strong knowledge of community resources and support systems
• Exhibits agency values in daily work and demonstrates commitment to agency mission