Family Advocate - Head Start
About the job
- Experience in the human or social services field is preferred.
- Must have a valid driver's license and a satisfactory driving record.
- Must be able to lift children weighing 50 pounds or more when required during emergencies or unusual circumstances.
- Must be able to perform activities on the floor and outdoors with children and keep pace with their energy level.
- Must recognize hazards and dangerous situations and take appropriate action.
- Must demonstrate good communication and speaking skills to receive and give information in person and by telephone.
- Must demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Must be able to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
- Must have attention to detail and the ability to multitask in complex situations.
- Must possess superior customer service skills and professional etiquette.
- Must possess proficient computer and keyboard skills and be able to use office technology such as telephones and fax machines.
- Must have advanced knowledge and skill in using Microsoft Office.
- Must understand the fundamentals of automated data processing and quickly gain a detailed understanding of complex computerized and non-computerized information.
- Recruit eligible children from target areas.
- Develop partnership agreements with families.
- Assess families' resources, needs, and goals.
- Make appropriate referrals to services within the agency and community.
- Follow up on the outcomes of referrals and other actions.
- Address the needs of Head Start families.
- Experience in the human or social services field.
About the company
Casoms delivers free, coordinated services to help low-income residents in Jackson, Harrison, and George counties achieve self-sufficiency. It runs as a federally designated Community Action Agency, funded mainly by CSBG, LIHEAP, and Head Start, providing programs such as Head Start and Early Head Start, LIHEAP energy assistance and weatherization, food pantries, senior centers, financial literacy, free VITA tax prep, parenting classes, and limited paid childcare through First Step. Services are available to households at or below 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines and are designed to address basic needs—education, energy, food, and housing stability—through a wraparound, community-based approach. The organization differentiates itself by its nationwide designation and county-wide, multi-service model that supports families across life stages to reduce poverty and increase self-sufficiency.
Company Size
51-200
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Moss Point, Mississippi
Founded
N/A
Get referred to Community Action of South Mississippi
See people who can refer or advise you
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- CASOMS reported 436 funded Head Start slots and 478 cumulative enrollments for FY2025.
- Its August 12, 2026 public hearing showed active grant renewal and community engagement.
- Sparklight named CASOMS a 2026 Mississippi grant recipient, adding unrestricted fundraising credibility.
What critics are saying
- CASOMS depends on CSBG, LIHEAP, Head Start, and TANF grants for nearly everything.
- A federal shutdown or grant delay in 2027 would immediately squeeze payroll and child care.
- Loss of Head Start funding would force center closures and threaten CASOMS’s survival.
What makes Community Action of South Mississippi unique
- CASOMS is one of Mississippi’s few federally designated Community Action Agencies since 1965.
- It bundles Head Start, LIHEAP, senior centers, VITA, and weatherization referrals under one roof.
- FY2025 budget tops $12.8 million across ten federal programs serving three counties.
Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?
Benefits
- Hybrid Work Options