Family Advocate – Lompoc

Why join our countywide agency?
*Because each day we are making a difference in our community, and because we have a positive, employee- and client-centered work culture.
*We pay competitive rates and offer a strong benefits package that includes generous sick leave and holiday pay, employer-paid medical insurance, a free subscription to the meditation/sleep app Calm, and much more!
*We offer continuous employee education and development and paid clinical supervision.
*We work with our staff to offer flexibility whenever possible.

We look forward to you joining our team at FSA of Santa Barbara County!

The Position
The Family Advocate position is an exciting opportunity to provide crucial resources to families directly and indirectly impacted by COVID-19. The Family Advocate will work collaboratively with families, individuals, and public and private agencies to guide families in overcoming obstacles to self-sufficiency. Guided by the Protective Factors Framework, the Family Advocate will provide comprehensive services to families in response to community crisis to support their overall wellbeing. Through advocacy, case management, and linkage to community resources, the Family Advocate will identify risks, promote strengths, and equip parents with the skills and knowledge needed to overcome sources of stress, strengthen resiliency, and provide nurturing environments.

FSA strives to be a trauma-informed and resilience-oriented organization. Because working with those impacted by trauma can affect staff in various ways, FSA actively identifies and employs methods to support staff to embody a healthy and sustainable balance of care for both themselves and others.

Sample of Duties and Responsibilities
• Utilize assessment skills and screening tools to triage families and determine appropriate services (case management, information and referral, parent education).
• Exhibit a working knowledge of community resources and provide appropriate referral to support access to social, educational, and health services.
• Serve as a liaison between the family, and community resources to support social emotional well-being, and family wellness.
• Promote parental resilience and social connections through engagement opportunities (workshops, Parent Café, Dad’s club, etc.)
• Provide education, resources, and developmental screening to increase parent’s knowledge of child development.
• Provide interpretation and/or translation support when appropriate.
• Conduct program outreach and represent FSA at collaborative meetings and community events.
• Utilize databases to monitor and reflect program contacts, activities, and outcomes.
• Attend meetings with community partners to coordinate services and promote continuity of care.
• Services are provided in the home, in the community, schools, and may include evening and weekend hours.
• Works closely with school personnel, including Administrators, Psychologists, Resource Specialists, Teachers and Nurses.
• Ensure contractual expectations and program targets are met and that services provided are within scope of practice.
• Supervise collection of evaluation data and prepare written reports in conjunction with Data Specialist and project partners.

Employment Standards:
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Social Work, Psychology, Education, or related field is preferred.
• Will speak, read, write, and understand English and Spanish fluently.
• A minimum of one year work experience in the school or community providing services to at-risk children and/or families.
• Ability to have a warm and empathetic interpersonal style to establish trusting relationships with children, parents and guardians, health professionals, and community organizations.
• Must have the ability and desire to provide services that are relevant to the culture of the family.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt service delivery to the needs of the family is a must.
• Possess a valid California Drivers License, proof of vehicle insurance, and reliable transportation.

Classification, Hours and Pay Rate:
• Position is full-time (40 hours/week), non-exempt, with benefits. Benefits include: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and 403(b) retirement plan. Generous holiday, vacation, and sick leave also offered.
• Pay rate is $23.00/hour.

Family Service Agency’s north county DBA is Santa Maria Valley Youth and Family Center. Family Service Agency (FSA) has long been regarded as one of Santa Barbara County’s most reliable and effective nonprofit human service organizations. Our mission is to strengthen and advocate for families and individuals of all ages and diversities, helping to create and preserve a healthy community. We are committed to providing services where they are needed most: in the community. Eighty percent of our services are delivered on school campuses, at community centers and in clients’ homes. Our programs, which serve more than 25,000 people annually, combine clinical expertise, bilingual and bicultural staff, and close collaboration with other agencies. At FSA, all services are provided free or on a sliding fee/donation scale and no one is denied assistance because of an inability to pay.

To apply for this position, it is highly recommended that you submit both a cover letter and resume here.
Visit our portal for other open positions.