Acelero Learning

Health & Disabilities Advocate (HDA)

Are you a socially conscious, dedicated individual who is committed to building a better future for children, families, and their communities? If so, join us as we support early childhood education programs across the country to create positive outcomes for the children and families served. Are you passionate about supporting families and ensuring that every child receives the health, developmental, and educational support they need to thrive? Acelero Learning is seeking a dedicated Health & Disabilities Advocate (HDA) to partner with families, strengthen care coordination, and promote children's healthy development and school readiness. Join us in building nurturing, informed, and empowered communities where every family feels supported on their journey.

Your Role

The Health & Disabilities Advocate (HDA) serves as a key member of our family support and health services team. In this specialized role, you will ensure children remain up to date with EPSDT requirements, receive timely follow-up for health concerns, and have established medical and dental homes. You will also provide individualized support to families whose children have chronic health conditions, nutritional needs, or disabilities requiring enhanced care coordination. Working in partnership with Health & Nutrition Coordinators, Disabilities/Mental Health Coordinators, and Early Learning staff, you'll help families navigate medical, mental health, and special education systems—strengthening their capacity to meet their child's unique needs.

What You'll Do

• Promote Healthy Home Environments
• Engage families through individualized support that strengthens routines, enhances understanding of health needs, and aligns home and school strategies.
• Encourage practices that support children's overall wellbeing, development, and readiness for school.
• Assure EPSDT Adherence
• Monitor and track all required EPSDT components.
• Ensure all children in assigned centers maintain current health requirements.
• Collaborate with families and providers to complete necessary screenings, treatments, and follow-up care.
• Support Families of Children with Chronic Conditions or Special Needs
• Provide targeted assistance to families requiring advanced health, nutrition, or developmental support.
• Assist with care coordination, goal setting, and linking families to medical, mental health, and early intervention services.
• Work collaboratively with internal specialists to ensure individualized strategies meet the child's needs.
• Maintain Service Coordination
• Serve as a liaison between program service areas to ensure seamless communication regarding children's health and disabilities.
• Coordinate information across staff to ensure all team members understand each child's needs.
• Record Keeping & Reporting
• Maintain timely, accurate documentation of all health and family engagement activities.
• Utilize data systems efficiently for ongoing monitoring and federal compliance.

What You Bring

• AA or BA in Public Health, Social Work, Human Services, Family Services, Counseling, or a related field preferred, OR AA/BA in another field with commitment to complete a Family Services Credential within 18 months, OR High School Diploma with 3 years of community/family engagement experience and a completed Family Development Credential.
• Bilingual Spanish strongly preferred.
• Passion for supporting families and achieving positive child and family outcomes.
• Experience assisting families of young children to advocate for themselves and navigate systems of care.
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse families and multidisciplinary teams.
• Advanced computer literacy (email, word processing, internet navigation).
• Ability to obtain CPR/First Aid certification.
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs throughout the day, as needed.
• Must pass required physical, background check, and fingerprinting.

When / Where / How Much

• When: August 2026
• Where: Acelero Learning
• Contact: Yvonne Atkinson-Gates
• How Much: $17.40 per hour

If you're passionate about empowering families and helping children reach their fullest potential, we'd love to meet you.

Why Acelero Learning or Shine Early Learning?

• Ability to make an impact in the lives of the children, families, and partners we serve
• Career growth and professional development opportunities
• Supportive working environment
• Average of 5 weeks of paid time off during 1st year of employment
• Comprehensive benefits, including 401K matching and 100% vesting program

We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and healthy work place.

Acelero Learning's mission is to bring a relentless focus on positive family and child outcomes to close the achievement gap and build a better future for children, families, and communities served by the Head Start program.

Our company values guide us as we work towards our mission: Embracing Diversity, Open Communication, Teamwork and Community, Data-Informed Learning, and Follow-Through.

At Acelero Learning, we believe that all children can achieve and succeed, and we work to empower families to advocate for their children and themselves.