Family Support Advocate

Family Support Advocate

Date reviewed: November 2012

Agency Overview:

The Family Nurturing Center’s (FNC) mission is to work with others to build nurturing communities where children are cherished, families are supported, and healthy human development is promoted by all.  This position is a collaborative venture with DCF through the PATCH program at FNC.

Position Description:

The Family Support Advocate provides case management, advocacy and referral, promoting a strength-based model that incorporates the Family Support Principles to identify challenges and support families in negotiating positive outcomes.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

General:

·         Ability to deal with confidential issues using discretion and judgment

·         Strong team player, comfortable with multiple reporting structures and accountability

·         Excellent communication and facilitation skills

·         Computer literacy: proficiency with Microsoft Office, email, and social media.  Database expertise in order to comply with grant reporting requirements

·         Cultural competency and openness to different cultural practices and customs

Case Management:

·         Act as the initial contact for both referrals and walk-in clients

·         Assess the needs and strengths of families requesting services

·         Determine and document plans for support, prevention, referral and intervention

·         Observe family actions through home visiting, outside appointments and compliance with referrals

·         Revise goals for families relying on data, feedback and personal assessment

·         Participate in school related meetings, including IEP or other learning based advocacy, and develop the ability of families to navigate the school system independently.

·         Track family engagement and provide review and analysis to comply with best practice, FNC reporting and partner agency requirements

·         Engage appropriate professional and community resources to strengthen families

Advocacy:

·         Knowledge of resources and capacity  building skills in order to assist families with immigration, housing  and school-based issues (including IEP’s, truancy and child care)

·         Access inter-agency and community based resources to develop high level referral network and support infrastructure

·         Awareness of new initiatives, policies and programs at the neighborhood, city, state and federal level

·         Collaborate with relevant partners, agencies and other community resources

Outreach:

·         Actively recruit community partners and other agencies, become the face of Family Nurturing Center  through participating in community sponsored events

·         Involve residents of the Dorchester community in order to influence  the work of partners on the ground and identify gaps in service delivery

·         Provide workshops and trainings; facilitate Nurturing Programs and parenting support groups

Assist with projects as assigned and perform other related duties as required including staff and related meetings of all reporting agencies.

Supervision Received:

Position reports to the Patch Coordinator

Qualifications & Skills:

1.        B.A. in a human service related field: Five plus years work experience in child and family services

2.        Self-directed, reliable, and sensitive to the needs of others

3.        Strong leadership and organizational skills

4.        Must have flexibility to work nights and weekends as programming demands

5.        Knowledge of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) system a plus

6.        Awareness of resources in the Dorchester Community and in the city generally, ability to research and expand scope of resources and referrals

7.        A driver’s license and access to a vehicle