Job Description
Career Opportunities with Volunteers of America Los Angeles
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Careers At Volunteers of America Los Angeles
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VOALA
Helping Our Most Vulnerable Change Their Life Stories
Volunteers of America is a non-profit human services organization committed to serving people in need, strengthening families, and building communities. VOALA provides a variety of social services to Los Angeles area communities such as Head Start programs, Upward Bound college prep programs, veterans’ services, homeless shelters, low-income housing program as well as drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Learn more at
PAY RATE: $23.80 - $25.05 PER HOUR
BENEFITS: VOALA offers competitive medical, dental, vision and retirement benefits.
HEAD START
Through our Head Start and Early Head Start programs, we work with children (ages 0 – 5) and their families to provide the skills, confidence and stable home life necessary for a smooth transition into kindergarten and beyond. Children also receive a broad array of health services including screenings and referrals, maintenance of immunization schedules, nutrition assessments and follow-ups, mental health assessments as part of initial screenings, and determination if any mental or physical delays are present. Children receive health and dental services and have access to ongoing and acute and routine health and dental care. Enrolled children receive healthy meals, along with an assessment of their nutritional needs and the necessary follow-ups. Nutrition education is available for parents and incorporated into daily classroom activities for the children.
JOB SUMMARY AND PURPOSE
The Family Advocate II recruits and enrolls children into the Head Start Program, and assesses each family’s strengths, concerns, and priorities in order to provide services that improve a family’s future prospects in supporting their child through school. Using a case management methodology, the Family Advocate II will manage a caseload of families and assist them in all program areas, and engage families in activities that support them and their child’s development in becoming school ready.
The Family Advocate II supports the classroom care and supervision of children, as needed, when the class is temporarily understaffed. During this period, the Family Advocate can provide auxiliary services, such as food preparation, set up and cleanup, that allow the available teaching staff the ability to provide effective supervision of the children. The Family Advocate is responsible for working as a team with teachers, site supervisors, family Service Specialists and other support staff to help families make choices and decisions that will respond to each family’s unique culture, roles, values, strengths and beliefs. The Family Advocate complies with agency policies, goals and objectives.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Establish and maintain outreach and recruitment to ensure the assigned Head Start site is fully enrolled with eligible children, and monitor attendance to ensure children are actively involved in the program.
Establish contact with community resources that can enhance program services. Interview Parent(s) to compile mandated information and documentation for enrollment and services. Establish each child's file. Collect, maintain, update and disseminate, as needed, information and documentation pertaining to the file, observing confidentiality at all times. Use a computerized data system to input, receive, and update required data.
Initiate, maintain, and follow up with the referral process in conjunction with the family, teachers, Family Service Specialists and service support personnel.
Provide Children with a learning environment of varied activities that support each child’s age appropriate development and prepares them to be school ready; Facilitate and ensure Parent Involvement activities and trainings. Promote parent advocacy. Make a minimum of one home visit or more, as needed, within established timeline.
Work with a team at the site to ensure that the safety and security of the children is the first priority. Establish and maintain direct communication channels with the family, program, program staff, Family Service Specialist, Administration and community members. Attend meetings and trainings, and continue on an educational path to meet the needs of the position and achieve professional growth. Actively participate in the classroom environment with the parent volunteers.
Manage a caseload of families and assist them in getting their needs met, establish ongoing goals that engages them in their child’s learning and future growth. Accurately prepare and submit required reports and administrative forms on time. Is responsible for taking an active role in implementation and maintenance of program governance at the site level. Assists families to identify and meet milestones of attainable goals. Works with the family to develop a Family Partnership Agreement.
Other duties as may be assigned.
Qualifications REQUIREMENTS:
Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance, background check, including criminal history, personal references, employment and education verifications
Valid California Driver License or have means to other easily accessible transportation.
Valid first aid and CPR certifications
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS:
Proof at the time of hire TB clearance within 6 months prior
Annual Influenza vaccination (between Aug 1 – Dec 1)
Pertussis (whooping cough) and measles immunization
Health screening at the time of employment
Requires ability to interact with children in a busy environment including, but not limited to: Able to lift up to 50 lbs.
Frequently kneel and squat
Ability to move quickly
EDUCATION:
Bachelor’s Degree in Social Services, Health or related field
EXPERIENCE:
1 year experience in monitoring and tracking computer program data
Minimum of 3 months of case work management
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience working in social work, case management, or as a health or parent involvement aid in a related program a plus
Bilingual in English and Spanish (written and verbal)
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