Family Advocate - Head Start - full time
The Opportunity Alliance
Summary
The Family Advocate supports family well-being and school readiness through whole family coaching. They work with participants to identify strengths and goals and provide connections and referrals to community-based resources. The Family Advocate also promotes child health and wellness by supporting families to navigate the health care system to access preventative and follow-up care.
Job description
The Family Advocate is responsible for engaging families in supporting their child’s school readiness & healthy development by conducting needs assessments, collaboratively creating family goals, connecting families to community resources, gathering health information, and facilitating community-building & parent involvement in center/program activities following the Family and Early Childhood Education program plan, Head Start Performance Standards, State of Maine licensing rules, and NAEYC Accreditation Standards. This role supports families to identify and reach their goals, including goals related to housing, employment, education and parenting.
Schedule
This is a full time, 40 hour per week, year round position.
Location
Westbrook, Maine
Requirements
- Bachelor’s in Social Work, Human Services, Counseling or related field required.
- 1-3 years of social services/human services experienced required.
- 1-3 years of family services experience preferred.
- Knowledge of the important role that culture plays in child & family development, and an ability to adapt interventions accordingly.
- 1-3 years of experience effectively navigating complex systems and connecting families to needed resources, preferred.
- Flexible, enthusiastic and self-motivated.
- Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communications skills.
- Computer proficiency with Microsoft Office and Outlook required.
- Ability to respond calmly to rapidly changing situations and adapt teaching approach to maintain a positive learning environment.
- Must have a distinct comfort level for working independently, while remaining mindful of role as part of a team.
- Must be able to able to successfully pass a criminal background, child protective service check & sex offender check and must not be on the state or federal suspension and disbarment list.
- ECE employee must be able to pass pre-employment physical and TB screen and must be current on MMR and TDAP immunizations.
- Must be able to exert moderate physical effort with occasional standing, walking, reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, typing and frequently lift and carry small children or material weighing up to 25 pounds.
- Driving may be necessary to attend meetings and trainings but is not a primarily and essential job responsibility.
Benefits
- Paid time off
- Paid holidays
- Floating holidays
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Life insurance
- Short-term disability insurance
- Long-term disability insurance
- 403(b) retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Company overview
The Opportunity Alliance is a comprehensive community action agency and nonprofit organization dedicated to providing mental health care and social services to individuals and families in need. Operating primarily in Maine, the organization focuses on addressing the root causes of poverty and promoting community well-being through integrated service delivery. Their mental health care services encompass counseling, crisis intervention, substance abuse treatment, and support for individuals with mental health challenges. The organization takes a holistic approach to care, combining mental health services with housing assistance, employment support, educational programs, and family strengthening initiatives. As a community-based nonprofit, The Opportunity Alliance works collaboratively with local partners, government agencies, and healthcare providers to create a continuum of care that addresses both immediate needs and long-term solutions for vulnerable populations. Their mission centers on building stronger communities by empowering individuals to overcome barriers and achieve self-sufficiency through comprehensive support systems.