The Family Advocate Supervisor is a highly visible role in the Head Start Program. He/she works as part of an interdisciplinary team to ensure families are welcomed into the program and receive high quality support services according to the families' strengths, interests and needs. The Family Advocate Supervisor supervises the Family Advocate Specialist (FAS) team in all aspects of programming including recruitment, enrollment, family partnership agreements and other casework activities. The Family Advocate Supervisor is responsible for creating strong family and community partnerships, involving parents in all aspects of the program (including program governance), and assure compliance with all Head Start requirements including health and dental.

Responsibilities/Duties/Functions/Tasks.

• Work under the supervision of the EHS/EHS-CCP/Family Services Director to assure consistency and compliance of all Head Start Performance Standards, ND Agency Policies and Procedures, MPS requirements and Wisconsin Licensing requirements for Child Care Centers.

• Participate in the development of program policies, service delivery plan, and ongoing monitoring to ensure program quality and compliance.

• Work with the Directors to ensure program compliance through ongoing monitoring and file reviews.

• Work with the Enrollment Team, Transition/FAS, and other program directors to coordinate year-round recruitment and enrollment efforts for all Next Door Programs.

• Coordinate with area agencies to secure needed services for families and maintain up-to-date resource and referral information.

• Function as a liaison between the and center activities.

• Attend meetings and training as required.

• Support parents in understanding their roles and contributions to securing a non-federal share match. Document any in-kind donations for families/family engagement events.

• Provide intentional leadership to the FAS team including; ensuring proper training, support for reflective practices and implementing reflective supervision for all FAS assigned.

• Ensure that Family Partnership Agreements and service plans support the parent/child relationship encourage parent involvement, support self-sufficiency, and plan for transition.

• Ensure the appropriate follow up and documentation of health and disabilities services.

• Ensure FAS are reliable and consistent use of ChildPlus for entering data related to family services such as enrollment, attendance, class lists, transportation needs, and documentation of all family interactions.

• Coordinate transportation services for children enrolled in the ND programs with the Transportation Coordinator (if applicable).

• Work with the Directors to ensure parent committees are established, maintained and meet regularly by developing parent activities, establishing relationships with families, and leading Head Start parent committee meetings.

• Work with the Site Directors/Education Managers to design, implement and promote parent education, trainings and activities as required by Head Start Performance Standards.

• Ensure parents are represented in all aspects of the Head Start program.

• Collaborate with the other Family Support Supervisors to determine case assignments and conduct annual performance reviews.

• Collaborate with the Family Support Supervisor to facilitate regular staff meetings for all FAS staff.

• Collaborate with the other Family Support Supervisor, Family Services Director, and the Human Resource Director in the hiring, supervision and if needed discipline or termination of FAS.

• Facilitate and encourage positive collaboration and cooperation between the Head Start family support team, education staff and other ND programs and departments.

• Remain up-to-date in knowledge as it relates to best practice in the field of services to children and families such as those served by the program.

• Other tasks as assigned.

Accountability and Performance Requirement

All staff members are accountable for knowing and performing the responsibilities associated with their individual position in an efficient and effective manner, understanding that each of us plays an integral role in the success of our mission. All staff will support the agency mission, vision, standards of conduct/code of ethics and strategic directions and support administrative decisions. This must demonstrated by maintaining a positive work environment, and by behaving and communicating in an appropriate manner with children, families, coworkers, supervisors and the public while achieving performance expectations.

• A Bachelor's degree in in the field of human service, social welfare, or social work.

• Must have strong communication skills, leadership abilities and able to support a mutually respectful work environment.

• Excellent computer skills including data base systems.

• The incumbent must have access to a personal vehicle to use on a daily basis, maintain a valid driver's license and automobile insurance with liability limits of $300,000 (bodily injury) and $25,000 (property damage for each occurrence). Ability to work under tight deadlines and good writing required.

Special Position Requirements

• Family Advocate Supervisors in the Educare and CCP programs are responsible for meeting all ERSEA requirements of the Head Start Performance Standards and conducting all enrollments for the programs.

Preferences

• A Master's degree or credits toward a Master's degree preferred.

• 1-2 years experience as a supervisor preferred.

• Demonstrated experience working with and providing direct support to, low-income families and families from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

• Experience with early childhood/child development preferred.

• Knowledge and understanding of Head Start performance standards is preferred.

Work Requirements

• Other duties as assigned.

Safety and Health

Next Door is committed to providing a safe work environment and to fostering the well-being and health of its employees. An essential part of each employees' job is the development of safe working practices and the observance of safety rules, including:

• Following safety warnings and directions at all times.

• Using personal safety devices when required.

• Reporting any unsafe conditions to supervisor.

• Following process for reporting suspected child abuse and neglect.

• Reporting unsupervised children, after ensuring child's safety.

Physical Demands

• Primarily active work; occasionally lifting up, holding or moving up to 50 lbs.

Physical Activity

• Bending, stooping, kneeling, sitting on the floor, walking/transporting, handling, feeling, reaching, climbing, balancing, crouching, crawling, talking and speaking clearly, hearing conversation level, tasting, smelling and seeing; ability to interact daily with children outdoors in varied weather condition.

Work Environment

• Mainly office/early, childhood center setting with occasional travel between sites required.

Personal/Physiological

• N/A