YMCA East Bay is looking for a Family Advocate to play a pivotal role in supporting families on their journey to success. You will lead goal-setting and coaching with parents and caregivers, acting as a trusted guide and advocate, and connect families to community resources to ensure the best possible educational and developmental outcomes for children.

What You'll Do

Develop positive, respectful, and trusting relationships with and serve as a liaison between Community School partners, services, and families.
Conduct outreach, recruitment, and enrollment, meeting Head Start Performance Standards and Funding Terms and Conditions.
Provide orientation on the philosophy of the program and services provided.
Implement strategies including home visits to learn about families and the changing community.
Develop strengths-based assessments with families that describe their goals, strengths, resources, and support networks.
Create an individualized family plan in partnership with the family that includes health, follow up regularly, and collaborate on resolving obstacles.
Facilitate families’ problem-solving and support enhancing problem-solving skills.
Coach, consult, educate, and utilize counseling skills, where appropriate.
Advocate for families and support them in advocating for themselves.
Support the health and wellness of children and families in the program.
Ensure all health requirements are met upon entrance into the program and track all health, dental, and nutrition-related data.
Assist with all health screenings required for completion within 45 calendar days of child’s enrollment.
Identify common interests and needs of parents to plan appropriate activities, training, and groups.
Engage parents in volunteering, community service, and other ways of contributing to program activities.
Work with other program staff to support interactive literacy activities and other learning approaches between parents and their children.
Serve as a productive team member on an interdisciplinary team of professionals, participate and facilitate case conferences.
Promote and support parent involvement and leadership throughout the program.
Research and keep up-to-date on program and community resources, analyze community resources to family needs, and refer families as appropriate.
Listen and support families in making decisions and taking active steps to resolve current crises.
Learn about and be sensitive to each family’s values, beliefs, traditions, cultural influences, makeup, and circumstances using a culturally competent approach.
Perform record-keeping and internal and external reporting tasks in a timely and objective fashion.
Contribute to and participate in strategic planning, program self-assessment, and other efforts to improve program services.
Make decisions and act based on family support principles, theories, practices, and code of ethics while maintaining professional boundaries and confidentiality.
Complete other duties as assigned.

What We're Looking For

BA or BS in family development, psychology, sociology, or a related field.
One year of related experience in a non-profit and/or human services setting.
A high degree of cultural awareness and competency in cross-cultural practices with children and families.
Experience working with low-income communities.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to negotiate and mediate to attain win-win situations.
T.B. and other required health clearances at the time of employment.
Fingerprint clearance by the DOJ and CCL agencies.
Valid California Drivers’ License and use of a personal automobile including evidence of auto liability insurance coverage.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, and other computer programs.

Nice to Have

Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Technical Stack

Microsoft Word
Microsoft Outlook

Team & Environment

You will serve as a productive team member on an interdisciplinary team of professionals, advancing the YMCA’s mission of strengthening communities.

Benefits & Compensation

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance with heavily subsidized coverage and several plan options for full-time employees.
Basic Life and AD&D Insurance, with options for Voluntary Life and AD&D coverage.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for health and dependent care expenses.
Long-Term Disability Insurance.
Employee Assistance and Wellness Programs.
Commuter Benefits for eligible employees.
12 Designated Holidays.
Paid Time Off for vacation and sick leave.
Professional Development Opportunities and ongoing training.
YMCA Membership Benefits and discounts on programs for you and your family.