Job Description

Title:  Family Advocate
Reports to:  Sr. Program Manager
Status:  Non-Exempt / Hourly / Full-Time / In-person
Location:  Oakland, San Leandro, Berkeley, Alameda, Albany
Pay: $27.5/ hour

Our Mission and Vision

The Brighter Beginnings mission is to “ support healthy births and successful development of children by partnering with parents and helping to build strong communities “. Our mission gains its strength from our core belief that “Every family matters, and every child deserves a happy, healthy future.”

About the role

The Family Advocate will provide supportive services to young parents (ranging from teens to 25 years old) and their children aged 0-5 years old. The program supports young parents in graduating high school, receiving parenting support, and becoming experts on their child(ren). The average caseload is 25, with twice-monthly visits per client (1.5 hrs long). This includes providing case management and offering support and educational groups to families by conducting assessments and goal planning, offering community resources, and monitoring intervention strategies to ensure families receive comprehensive care. The FA will complete notes documenting every visit. The Family Advocate should have basic knowledge of infant growth and development and an understanding of adolescent development.

Requirements

• Preferred CDA or comparable credential, OR Associate or Bachelor’s degree, OR comparable work experience. Preferred areas of study include Social services, psychology, sociology, criminal justice, and social work.
• Work experience providing case management or advocacy-based counseling is preferred
• Fully Bilingual in English & Spanish *required*
• Experience working with ages 0-5 years old preferred
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with diverse populations in a professional manner. Eager to work with young parents under 25, and young children ages 0-5.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and communication skills needed to work in a team environment and maintain client confidentiality.
• Strong computer skills and data entry skills. Experience with Microsoft Excel and the ability to learn new systems.
• Strong writing skills.
• Time management skills and the ability to meet regular deadlines
• Knowledge of local community resources, or interest in learning
• Valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record, reliable vehicle and car insurance.
• Must pass a background check and have no history of abuse/neglect after conditional offer letter

Responsibilities:

• Maintain an active caseload of assigned families
• Meet with parents and children in the home, office, or community per program standards
• Assist with initial screenings of eligible participants
• Conduct comprehensive assessments and goal planning with families
• Coordinate and make referrals to appropriate community resources and follow up on care
• Document all services and maintain case notes in the computer database and other files
• Monitor the quality and accuracy of documentation and case notes
• Assist with support and educational groups
• Facilitate activities in groups for young parents designed to strengthen members' life skills and knowledge of reproductive health
• Provide outreach at community events, network meetings, and outside agencies to bring awareness and promote BB programs
• Maintain close communication with outside community-based organizations and establish familiarity with their programs and services to ensure quality of care
• Attend regular program and agency meetings and all in-service trainings
• Occasional nights and weekends may be required
• Demonstrate leadership skills, including encouragement to new staff, assistance to the program manager with training of staff, responsiveness in communication, and accuracy in data completion

Benefits

We are proud to offer competitive wages and benefits to our employees. Please feel free to inquire during the interview process. As a summary, we offer:

• 100% employer-paid health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance!
• Competitive wages and a friendly environment
• Two weeks of vacation (increase after 1 year of employment)
• 13 paid holidays
• Sick leave accrual
• Optional employee-paid dependent health coverage
• 403b retirement account with matching
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee Assistant Program (EAP)

Our History

Brighter Beginnings is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and has been responding to the needs of families in resource-poor neighborhoods since 1984 when our work began in response to the alarming differences in mortality and illness rates among African American babies compared to other children.

Brighter Beginnings has grown into a respected and well-connected organization with locations in Oakland, Richmond, Bay Point, and Antioch. We have a multi-cultural, bi-lingual staff of passionate and committed family-service professionals; in fact, many of our staff came to this work because of the challenges they faced in their own families.

Special ADA Requirements

• Brighter Beginnings is in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and does not discriminate with regard to applicants or employees with disabilities, and will make reasonable accommodations when necessary.
• Approximately 50% of work is performed in a typical interior/office environment, with typical office noise and other disruptions. Approximately 50% of work is performed in the interior home environments of clients. Driving is required to travel to client home worksites, meetings, conferences, etc.
• Both standing and sitting are required, with about 50% of the job time spent in a stationary position at a desk. Must be able to occasionally lift and push 25 pounds to transport program materials.
• Must be able to quickly respond to small active children at play, be able to sit on the floor or at small tables to participate in children’s activities.
• Various types of equipment/supplies are used to accomplish the job requirements and include, but are not limited to, pens, pencils, calculators, computer keyboards, telephone, printers, trolleys, wagons, etc.

Brighter Beginnings is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity and inclusion. At Brighter Beginnings, employment decisions are made regardless of sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, ethnic origin, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, genetic information or ancestry, protected Veteran or military status, or other characteristics protected by law.

If you require alternative methods of application or screening, you must approach the employer directly.

All applicants that are offered a conditional offer of employment will need to complete a background check. For positions with client/patient contact, you must have a TB clearance and a physical assessment by a physician of your ability to complete job duties. Additional requirements are an immunization records (including MMR, Hep B, Varicella, TDAP, Covid-19). All positions require applicants to have a valid California driver’s license, be listed under car insurance as a driver, and a clean driving record (as defined by our insurance carrier).

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