• Family Advocate - Head Start Preschool

    Maryland Rural Development Corporation (Federalsburg, MD)


    The Maryland Rural Development Corporation (MRDC) is a private non-profit organization that provides services in response to the needs of rural, low-income households and communities. MRDC serves as Caroline, Cecil, Harford and Kent Counties’ official Community Action Agency.

     

    The Family Advocate serves as a vital link between Head Start preschool families and the program, ensuring that families receive the necessary support, resources, and education to foster a strong home-to-school connection. This role involves assisting families in identifying needs, setting goals, accessing community services, and promoting family engagement in their child’s early education.

    Job Responsibilities:

    + Build trusting relationships with families to encourage active participation in their child’s education.

    + Conduct home visits and family meetings to assess strengths, needs, and goals.

    + Support families in achieving self-sufficiency by connecting them with community resources (e.g., housing assistance, employment services, healthcare).

    + Develop and implement family partnership agreements to set individualized goals.

    + Encourage parental involvement in classroom activities, school events, and volunteer opportunities.

    + Provide guidance to families on child development, school readiness, and positive parenting strategies.

    + Work closely with teachers and staff to ensure family engagement is integrated into educational activities.

    + Maintain up-to-date knowledge of local services, including healthcare, mental health, food assistance, and social services.

    + Refer families to appropriate agencies and follow up to ensure services are received.

    + Advocate for families in accessing benefits and overcoming barriers to support.

    + Maintain accurate and confidential records of family interactions, assessments, and referrals.

    + Assist in enrollment and recruitment efforts to ensure program capacity.

    + Ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and other regulatory requirements.

    + Participate in staff training, meetings, and professional development activities.

    + Thinks, concentrates, and positively interacts with others

    + Comes to work promptly every day

    + Works under stress and meets all deadlines

    + OTHER DUTIES: (Duties listed are not intended to be all inclusive nor limit duties that might reasonably be assigned.) Performs related work as required or assigned.

     

    Compensation: $23.58 - $24.90 per hour commensurate with qualification and experience

    Terms of Employment:

    + Twelve (12) month; full-time position

    Requirements

    + Associate’s (Bachelor’s degree Preferred) in Social Work, Family Studies, Early Childhood Education, Human Services, or a related field from an accredited college or university

    + Prior experience in social services, family support, early childhood education, or community outreach preferred

     

    Required Skills/Qualifications

     

    + Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

    + Ability to work with diverse families in a non-judgmental, supportive manner.

    + Knowledge of community resources and referral processes.

    + Ability to manage documentation and maintain confidentiality.

    + Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred but not required

    + Valid driver’s license and ability to drive to various MRDC locations throughout the sate

    + Demonstrated success in accomplishing tasks as outlined above

    + Must pass criminal background check and fingerprinting

    + Must pass all Maryland licensing requirements to include medical evaluation and tuberculosis screening

    Physical Demands:

    + Work is performed in a combination of office, classroom, and home visit settings.

    + Occasional evening or weekend work may be required for family events or meetings.

    + Position requires significant periods of standing, walking, kneeling, sitting on the floor or crouching

    + May at times require lifting 25lbs – 50lbs

     

    Benefits

     

    + Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)

    + Health Saving Account

    + Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)

    + Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)

    + Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)

    + Short Term Disability

    + Training & Development

     

    Maryland Rural Development Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer

     

    If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact Human Resources at [email protected]