Family Engagement Specialist

YMCA OF GREATER SPRINGFIELD INC•Springfield, MA

About The Position

Under the direction of the Associate Executive Director, the Family Engagement Specialist is responsible to assure that families receive the services that they need to support their children’s health development, school readiness, and early school success. Responsible for case management, crisis intervention, community outreach services, resource and referral information to enrolled families. The Family Engagement Specialist with the Center Director plans, directs, and manages the family engagement activities of the Learning Center program Coordinates efforts to increase the quality, quantity, and access of family resource services. Build relationships with families and professionals who specialize in Family Involvement/Engagement Assist with enrollment duties, conducting family appointments, and insuring completion of required paperwork. Facilitate orientation meetings with parents to inform them of their responsibilities, opportunities and rights while encouraging their participation in the Learning Center program. Assist parents in identifying their families’ strengths and needs, setting family goals, and encouraging them to meet these needs. Act as an advocate for parents providing appropriate referrals for services through developing partnerships with service providers for counseling, health and dental care, and emergency assistance or intervention. Coordinate and encourage parent participation in leadership groups, parent meetings, as program volunteers, and opportunities to be involved in the CPPI (Foundations For Success) Steering Committee. Participate as an active team member in interdisciplinary planning for children and families, and other cross-component coordination. Ability to identify family strengths and plan/advocate around family goals. Attend mandatory meetings and trainings Attend career building trainings Ensure that all admission/enrollment requirements are met for each student. Ability to relate effectively with children, families, community members, and staff from diverse backgrounds. Schedule family conferences as appropriate or requested by the family. Ability to build relationships and collaborate with other community agencies. Interest and ability to advocate with and on behalf of low-income, diverse families. Maintain accurate written and computerized reports in a confidential manner. Allowing flexibility in your position to ensure quality care. Actively participate in all data collection processes. Ensure that all grants' guidelines and scope of work are met. This list of responsibilities is not meant to be all-inclusive and may be adjusted to meet the operational needs of the agency and the Learning Center program.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in early education, social work or related field, plus 3-5 years’ experience in working with families with young children.
Comply with health requirements for staff according to EEC regulation 7.09(11).
An ability to work with a diverse population and exhibit core YMCA values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
Bilingual skills in both English & Spanish are required.
Excellent relationship building skills.
Must have, or be willing to earn, and maintain First Aid and CPR training.

Nice To Haves

Training in trauma-informed care is preferred but not required.
Training in child and family engagement is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Coordinates efforts to increase the quality, quantity, and access of family resource services.
Build relationships with families and professionals who specialize in Family Involvement/Engagement
Assist with enrollment duties, conducting family appointments, and insuring completion of required paperwork.
Facilitate orientation meetings with parents to inform them of their responsibilities, opportunities and rights while encouraging their participation in the Learning Center program.
Assist parents in identifying their families’ strengths and needs, setting family goals, and encouraging them to meet these needs.
Act as an advocate for parents providing appropriate referrals for services through developing partnerships with service providers for counseling, health and dental care, and emergency assistance or intervention.
Coordinate and encourage parent participation in leadership groups, parent meetings, as program volunteers, and opportunities to be involved in the CPPI (Foundations For Success) Steering Committee.
Participate as an active team member in interdisciplinary planning for children and families, and other cross-component coordination.
Ability to identify family strengths and plan/advocate around family goals.
Attend mandatory meetings and trainings
Attend career building trainings
Ensure that all admission/enrollment requirements are met for each student.
Ability to relate effectively with children, families, community members, and staff from diverse backgrounds.
Schedule family conferences as appropriate or requested by the family.
Ability to build relationships and collaborate with other community agencies.
Interest and ability to advocate with and on behalf of low-income, diverse families.
Maintain accurate written and computerized reports in a confidential manner.
Allowing flexibility in your position to ensure quality care.
Actively participate in all data collection processes.
Ensure that all grants' guidelines and scope of work are met.