Family Services Advocate

SUMMARY:

Provides information, assistance and comprehensive case management services to individuals or families. Assesses needs, develops and monitors implementation of service plans, makes appropriate referrals and serves as a client advocate with other service providers. Service areas could include youth/family/parenting/elder services, employment/training, emergency/transitional housing, and health/nutrition. Requires knowledge of related community resources and the laws and regulations specific to the area of service.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

? Complete the initial interviews with the client and his or her family to assess the client’s eligibility for services.

? Gather relevant and useful data from the client, family, other agencies, and so on to formulate a needsassessment of the client and his or her family.

? Assemble and guide group discussions and decision-making sessions among relevant professionals and program representatives, the client and his or her family, and significant others to formulate goals and design an integrated intervention plan.

Monitor adherence to the plan and manage the flow of accurate information within the action system to maintain a goal orientation and coordination momentum.

? Provide “follow-along” to the client and his or her family to speed identification of unexpected problems in service delivery and to serve as a general troubleshooter on behalf of the client.

? Provide counseling and information to help the client and his or her family in situations of crisis and conflict with service providers.

? Provide ongoing emotional support to the client and his or her family so they can cope better with problems and utilize professionals and complex services.

? Complete the necessary paperwork to maintain documentation of client progress and adherence to the plan by all concerned.

? Act as a liaison between the client and his or her family and all relevant professionals, programs, and informal resources involved in the overall intervention plan to help the client make his or her preferences known and secure the services needed.

? Act as a liaison between programs, providing services to the client to insure the smooth flow of information and minimize conflict between the subsystems.

Establish and maintain credibility and good public relations with significant formal and informal resource systems to mobilize resources for current and future clients.

* Provide advocacy and direct support services to families including crisis intervention as needed; visit families in their homes as needed; assist families in determining needs; refer families to other agencies as needed; facilitate access to community resources and provide follow-up on family needs; participate in team staffings to exchange information, provide input and advice, and remain up-to-date on new developments.

? Provide case management to high risk and high needs families, with additional home visits as needed.

? Recruit, enroll and provide orientation to families to ensure full enrollment and active participation.Ensure drops are filled within mandated timeframes.

? Facilitate annual health screening for enrolled children; provide follow-up on health and dental services to ensure that all necessary treatment is completed.

? Involve parents in policy committees and parent groups; arrange and provide group training opportunities at assigned centers; provide information to parents on other community activity opportunities.

? Resolve problems or emergencies affecting the availability or quality of services with assistance from the Manager;maintain contact with local resource agencies to ensure an ongoing rapport with other programs.

? Assure accuracy and provision of systems and records that provide for the proper evaluation and documentation of assigned services; record significant information and actions in appropriate files, tracking sheets and reports.

? Coordinate parent center meetings at assigned centers; arrange childcareand transportation for parent meetings and Policy Council meetings.

Responsible for inputting family and child data on a regular basis for assigned caseload.

May be expected to conduct home visits on evenings and weekends if needed.

Responsible for generating, collecting and documenting in-kind contributions for the program.

Perform other related tasks as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Knowledge of social service delivery principles and practices. Knowledge of community resources available.

Some knowledge of federal, state and local policies, procedures and regulations applicable to area of assignment.

Ability to analyze and evaluate family needs, set goals and objectives with families and work with families to develop action plans in response to needs and interests.

Basic word processing and data entry skills.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with enrolled families, staff, other agency personnel and the general public.

Ability to motivate families to fully participate in the Early Childhood Education Program.

Knowledge of tribal resources and ability to interface appropriately with those services.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

An associate degree with the equivalent of 30 college credit quarter hours in adult education, human development, human services, family support, social work, early childhood education, child development, psychology, or another field directly related to their job responsibilities

Or

A credential or certification allowed by funding sources in social work, human services, family services, counseling or a related field;

Prefer 1 year of related experience

REQUIRED CERTIFICATION & LICENSES:

Valid driver’s license in state of residence.

Access to reliable transportation.

Auto insurance in the amount required by the State of Washington.

Physical examination within three weeks of employment.

Acceptable completion of a criminal history background check.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

TB test and proof of test results to employer prior to the start of employment. New employees do not need a TB skin test if they have written proof of one of the following:

A negative Mantoux TB test in the twelve months prior to hire; or
a previously positive Mantoux TB test with documented proof of treatment; or
a recent negative chest X ray and a statement from a health care provider that employee does not pose a health risk to others; or
Medication therapy to treat TB.

Documentation of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) immunization:

An immunization record indicating that you have received at least one dose of MMR vaccination (Immunization record card is acceptable only with doctor’s signature/initials or stamp). Or
Lab evidence of immunity to measles disease (also known as a blood test or titer). Or
Documentation from a health care provider that the person has had measles disease sufficient to provide immunity against measles. Or
Written certification signed by a health care practitioner, licensed in Washington State— a medical doctor (MD), naturopathic doctor (ND), osteopathic doctor (DO), advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP) or a physician’s assistant (PA)—that the Measles, Mumps, & Rubella vaccine is, in the practitioner’s judgment, not advisable for you.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to, stand, sit; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone, and keyboard reach.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work.
Light to moderate lifting is required.
Ability to uphold the stress of traveling.
Regular, predictable attendance is required.

The work environment characteristics described are what is encountered while performing the essential functions of this job.

Moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic).
Ability to work in a confined area.
Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

? Denotes Essential Functions

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER