Family Service Advocate

As a thought-leader and best-in-class provider in education, wellness, youth development, and community-building, The YMCA of Metro Atlanta is one of the oldest and most essential non-profits serving in Atlanta. Today, we’re looking for you to join us as we carry out our mission to positively impact lives and communities across the state. 

 

At the Y, we’re an association of like-minded people (staff, volunteers, and members), on the forefront of a movement to ensure that everyone -- especially children -- experience an equal opportunity to reach their full potential. In the course of a year, we provide more than 3,000 children, ages 6 weeks through Pre-K with high-quality literacy and STEAM-infused learning; give 58,000 youth and teens access to sports, aquatics, day and resident camps, teen leadership development programs, and employment opportunities; provide over 200,000 members with programs, services, and facilities to enjoy connection and maintain wellness regardless of age; and engage over 25,000 volunteers and donors from across Atlanta to share in the gift of supporting their communities.

 

NATURE AND SCOPE:

Under the direction of the Center Director, the Family Services Assistant (FSA) will successfully administer and evaluate services to children and families. This position is primarily responsible for the implementation of YMCA’s Early Learning Family Services program and for the successful achievement related to the children and families.

RESPONSIBILITIES (including, but not limited to):

• Coordinate and support the delivery of comprehensive family services in the areas of Health, Nutrition, Social Services, Eligibility (ERSEA) and Education. 
• Serve as a family advocate to support family well-being and promote children's learning and development for the 0-5 Head Start and Early Head Start Program.
• Maintain required documentation required by Head Start, Bright from the Start (BFTS), GA Pre-K, Quality Rated, and YMCA of Metro Atlanta as well as any other governing agencies.
• Recruit eligible children, including those with disabilities, and assist families in completing registrations.
• Develop and provide intervention strategies to improve and promote regular attendance.
• Monitor attendance and discuss with family the importance/benefits of regular attendance.
• Make referrals to the Disabilities/Mental Health Specialist on children with disabilities, prior to enrollment.
• Monitor center attendance and develop strategies for families with Chronic Absenteeism.
• Identify families’ needs, interests, strengths, goals, services and resources that support family well-being.
• Review individual progress, revising goals, evaluating and tracking identified needs and family progress.
• Make referrals and conducting follow-up reviews to ensure the delivery of services.
• Establish and maintain a network of resource contacts to facilitate services and referrals for emergency and crisis situations.
• Maintain accurate and detailed documentation of case management services within ChildPlus software and other required data management systems.
• Conduct Home Visits.
• Develop community partnerships and serve as parent liaison to between the program, resources, and services on a regular basis.
• Collaborate and support the Parent Family and Community Engagement team to develop and implement parent engagement opportunities that promote the outcomes of the Parent Family Community Engagement framework.
• Support parent activities that promote child learning and development in the following areas:  Education, Health, Transition, Parent-child relationship, Literacy and bi-literacy, Language
• Establish and maintain a system for ensuring children’s health screenings and exams and obtain complete health history and parental consent on all health/education screenings.
• Maintain accurate health/medical and immunization documentations in the file and within the ChildPlus Software for immunizations, medical screenings, treatment plans and other medical information.
• Coordinate medical appointments and identify and connect families to Medical Homes.
• Ensure treatment plans are documented and delivered.
• Administer first aid as needed (documentation of current training is required).
• Dispense and administer medication in accordance with medication procedure (documentation of training is required.
• Participate in all Medical Staffing involving children and families.
• Provide families with health summaries.
• Maintain first aid supplies in safe and secure location.
• Participate in agency-wide projects/systems such as Community Assessments, Self-Assessments, Strategic Planning, Trainings and in the development/review of policy and procedures.
• Establish, update, maintain and close confidential files on all enrollees, including ChildPlus data entry in all appropriate modules.
• Maintain, update, and distribute Resource Directory.
• Support a welcoming and nurturing environment that incorporates the unique cultural, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds of families in the program and community.
• Review CACFP Income Eligibility Application forms and correctly determines free, reduced, and paid eligibility category for each child enrolled during each month.
• Serve as Director on Duty when Senior Director is absent from the building and as needed.
• Serve as a floater between classrooms to relieve staff from breaks, trainings and absences and will also serve in am and or pm carpool.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field
• Trained or have equivalent coursework in early childhood development with a focus on infant and toddler development
• 1+ years of experience in case management and/or family engagement/supports/advocacy
• Valid Driver’s License
• Ability to travel for family visits

Ergonomics:  Sitting, bending, stooping, standing, 15% repetitive keyboard work, seeing, verbal communications, lift up to 25 pounds.

Employment and Benefits package for this job posting is offered through Early Childhood Development Co., LLC, whose sole managing member is the YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta, Inc.

Employment Requirement: 

• Ability to pass a pre-employment background check including Criminal Record check, Drug Screening, motor vehicle record (MVR) and reference check according to company policy.

• Must be legally eligible to work in the US without current or future sponsorship.

This job posting is subject to change at any time.

The YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta offers excellent benefits and career opportunities as part of our culture of excellence. The opportunities to serve are vast, and we’re looking for like minded people, who share our values of CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT, and RESPONSIBILITY to join us and do their best work.

The YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by law.

 

Location:

YMCA South DeKalb Early Learning Center