Do you want to use your skills and talents to make a lasting difference in the world? At Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet we are mission-driven, focused on positive results for people and believe that people should be treated with dignity and respect. If you feel the same way we encourage you to join us in making a difference!

Catholic Charities’ Head Start program is NAEYC Accredited as well as a Gold Circle Quality and a US Model Head Start Program.

If you desire a better work/life balance and can work in a fast paced environment with excellent growth potential, we would like to hear from you.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. The Family Advocate assists the Site Supervisor and other staff in planning, developing, implementing and coordinating the Head Start Performance Standards as related to Health and Nutrition Services, Family and Community Partnerships, Program Design and Management.

2. It is required for family service workers to conduct home visits and have a personal vehicle for transportation is required.

3. Periodic weekend recruitment activities are required along with attendance at parent meetings and family activity events. It is the expectation that programmatic recruitment takes place throughout the community as specified and designated during the week.

4. Other duties as assigned within the guidelines of this position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Assists the Site Supervisor and other staff in carrying out goals, policies, and activities designed to meet family needs and develop the individual family action plan.

2. Cooperatively works with interdisciplinary team members, parents, and other specialists to evaluate and develop treatment and/or intervention plans for children and/or families.

3. Implements parent training in conjunction with the Manager of Family and Community Engagement.

4. Responsible for providing opportunities for Parent Involvement activities.

5. Works with families to help them determine family action plans, assess needs, and educating families of available community resources to meet those needs.

6. Conduct intake process to enroll eligible families in the program and obtaining necessary information that is needed.

7. Conducts periodic visits to homes of children in order to encourage building of relationships with families and to implement required follow-up services.

8. When necessary escorts/translates or acquires the needed assistance in translating/advocates and/or represents families who may be unable to act on their own behalf in obtaining services or benefits for programs to which they may be entitled. Advocating for clients in problem situations, including appeals, reconsiderations, and attempts to meet family needs through alternative resources when necessary.

9. Complies with all necessary measures to ensure full enrollment within thirty (30) days of program year start.

10. Follows established referral procedures, documents and follows up on all referrals made.

11. Participates in center meetings, agency meetings, parent committee meetings, and case coordination as required.

12. Participates in community outreach activities that involve networking with community agencies for informational and recruitment purposes.

13. Monitors families progress in working towards the established Family Action plan as outlined in the Family Partnership Agreement.

14. Reports any problems with families, crisis or emergency situations, including incidents of suspected abuse or neglect immediately to the Site Supervisor.

15. Completes monthly reports by maintaining accurate family tracking system and documentation as requested related to family needs, absences, and other information as required by program’s funding source. Utilizes procedures for confidentiality in the record keeping system, and when obtaining information from other agencies.

16. Maintains all forms required in file system, including case notes, referral forms, attendance information, information releases related to health or disabling conditions, health information, and any other information required to be in client’s file.

17. Summarizes significant information in the family contact notes. Monitors attendance, and follows-up with excessive and/or unexcused absences.

18. Follows up with children returned by the bus or children (walkers) who are not being picked up at the end of each school session through the use of a warning system and documentation of such.

19. Inputs and maintains data in the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information Systems (PROMIS) Child and Family Tracking System and Ready Rosie Data Base.

20. Coordinate transportation information between Client, Transportation Coordinator, and Site Supervisor. Transport families to appointments as needed, medical, dentals, social service to obtain needed services.

GREAT EMPLOYER PROVIDED BENEFITS FOR QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES INCLUDE:

• Time Off: 13 Holidays - 15 Vacation Days- 3 PTO Days and 9 Sick Days
• Medical/Dental/Vision Health Insurances
• Flexible Spending Account
• Short-term Disability Insurance (employee paid optional)
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• 403B Retirement Plan with employer contributions
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

1. Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred in Social Work, Physiology, Human Services, Applied Behavioral Science, or related field. All degrees must come from a regionally accredited education institution, which has U.S. Department of Education approval.

2. A minimum one (1) year experience in any related field and three (3) years’ experience in Social Work is required for this position; with more preferred.

3. Knowledge of local community, resources, child development, and preferred Head Start experience.

4. Demonstrated ability to work effectively and constructively with persons from all racial, diverse cultures, family systems, and social backgrounds.

5. Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, and Teams.

6. Strong verbal and written communications skills.

7. Passage of complete background clearance, physical and Tuberculosis (TB) Test.

8. Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet, has adopted and follows the Codes of Ethics established by Catholic Charities USA, the National Association of Social Workers and the American Psychological Association. As an employee of the Agency you are expected to support these codes to the extent doing so is consistent with and allowed by applicable law.

9. A valid driver’s license, reliable means of transportation and proof of liability insurance is required.