Family Advocate- Union County

Job Openings, Union County

Date:     10/2/2025

Program:    Douglas Cherokee Head Start
Job Title:   Family Advocate
Location: Union County- Based at Cross Creek Head Start

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, Full-time; 37.5 hours per week; 10 month

Salary Grade:     17.03 per hour

Reports to:  Area Coordinator, Family & Community Partnership Mgr. , HS Director

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Family and Community Partnership Manager, the Family Advocate will perform social/health related services necessary for compliance with Head Start Performance Standards.  The Family Advocate is provided with an office in the county for which the position is hired.

ROLE QUALIFICATIONS:

Education Requirements:

  • High school diploma or GED. Prefer a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling or a related field.
  • Must obtain within eighteen months of hire, at a minimum, a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling or a related field as required of the Head Start Performance Act.

Experience Requirements:

  • Experience working with preschool children and family’s empathy with Head Start children and families required.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES / ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

  1. To be responsible for the recruitment of Head Start children for all centers in the county. This involves door-to-door recruitment, home visits, and doing applications according to federal guidelines.
  2. To work with and utilize existing community agencies in meeting the physical and financial needs of families in the county
  3. To work with Head Start parents in identifying needs within the family, setting goals, and helping families meet the goals.
  4. To be directly involved with families in working toward self-sufficiency to include referrals and follow-up with documentation of all services and work with families.
  5. To ensure that all children have complete medical and dental screenings. To arrange for physical and dental examinations and other health needs of the Head Start child and provide transportation as necessary for children and parents relative to these arrangements.
  6. To keep careful, complete and up-to-date records for each child regarding the status of his/her medical, dental, and follow-up treatment.
  7. To report and interpret to the teacher and family any medical, dental, speech, hearing or visual problems and work toward remedying those problems.
  8. Enter medical/dental screenings and follow-ups in the computer data system as well as other required program information.
  9. To follow up with the Teacher in those cases of prolonged child absences, evidence of family problems which are affecting the child’s school behavior, etc. Home visits may need to be done.
  10. To do home visits to complete the Family Partnership Agreement, and to maintain careful, complete and up-to-date casework narratives and contacts for each family.
  11. To act as an advocate for Head Start families within the program and the community.
  12. To assist in helping the parents to organize parent groups.
  13. To help provide means for parents to learn more about the Head Start Program and their role and responsibilities in the program, (i.e. Policy Council, Volunteers, Personnel Committee).
  14. To serve as a liaison between staff and parents.
  15. To submit required social service and health reports to appropriate Coordinator.
  16. Enter required data into computer tracking system.
  17. To attend training that is provided by the program.
  18. Demonstrate work habits which comply with agency Personnel Policies and Procedures and complete special assignments from the Social Services Coordinator, Health & Nutrition Coordinator, and Head Start Director.
  19. Encourage parents, families, and community members to support our children and the program through gifts of time, goods, and/or monetary donations to ensure program local match (in-kind) as required to continue receiving federal funding.
  20. Performs other duties as assigned.

WORK SITE:  Union County- Initial base Cross Creek Head Start

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None

OTHER JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Travel within the service area; some overnight and out-of-area travel for meetings is required. An agency vehicle may or may not be provided. If a vehicle is not provided, you must have a reliable vehicle and proof of liability insurance is required.
  • Must have valid Tennessee driver’s license and proof of liability insurance on vehicle.
  • Must obtain an ‘F’ endorsement on driver’s license.
  • Complies with all rules, policies and procedures of the Agency.
  • Maintain confidentiality of family, child, and Agency information.
  • Does not discriminate in the provision of services and makes sure that no person is excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program, activity, or benefit because of race, color, religion, gender (including sexual orientation and gender identity), age, citizenship, ethnicity, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, or veteran status unless those exclusions are based upon bona fide qualifications mandated by program service eligibility criteria.
  • This job may change at any time for any or no reason.

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Must obtain pre-employment physical and screen for communicable diseases.
  • Must obtain First Aid and CPR and keep updated.
  • Must maintain credential if applicable.
  • Demonstrate a willingness to continue professional development.
  • Must work well with parents, staff, and children.
  • A natural concern, empathy, and enjoyment of Head Start children and their families. Must have the ability to communicate openly with community resources, professionals, parents, and children.  Evidence of emotional stability and maturity.
  • Must be flexible and open to change.
  • Basic computer knowledge.
  • Professionalism in regard to confidentiality is essential.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

  • Required to sit or stand up to 95% of the workday.
  • Must be able to stoop and bend.
  • Transporting supplies, materials, and equipment within the service area is required; therefore, must be able to bend, pack, lift and carry supplies, materials, and equipment (20-60#).
  • Able to physically and mentally react immediately to unexpected circumstances.
  • The physical environment requires the employee to work primarily inside, in temperature controlled conditions. Some noise and interruptions are present.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Application Deadline: Applications accepted until 4 PM on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.

To Apply: Send application and/or resume to: Human Resources Manager DCEA Head Start/Early Head Start, 127 Cedar Street, Morristown, TN 37814. Email applications to jobs@dceaheadstart.org.