Healthy Start Family Advocate Program

A collaboration with the Santa Barbara School District and the Lompoc Unified School District, this program provides the following services in selected schools. Components of the program include:

Outreach/Linkage for Isolated Families
Family Advocates provide supportive listening, case management/planning, translation assistance, information about schools and help with organizing parent groups.

Increased Access to Health and Human Services
Family Advocates provide help negotiating systems and work as a team with Health Assistants and School-Based Counselors to make referrals for medical and dental services, food, clothing, toys, mentors, counseling, legal aid, employment and social services. They also provide dental health and education for parents and children.

Skills Development and Enrichment Programs
Family Advocates teach practical skills and work as a team with principals and Healthy Start leaders to provide connection with programs that offer tutoring, after school recreation, youth camp, ESL and GED classes for adults, parenting classes and access to take-home educational play kits.

Parent Leadership and Volunteer Development
Family Advocates provide recruitment of volunteers for school activities, committees and workshops and help organize parent classes and recognition events.