Family Liaison

Springfield Public Schools•Springfield, MA

17h•Onsite

About The Position

The Family Liaison will use home visits as a strategy to support families to positively affect student achievement and to increase effective communication between home and school. Springfield Public Schools is a cultural gem in Western Massachusetts that is committed to providing a learning environment that opens the doors of infinite possibilities to our amazing students and staff. We strive to equip each of our approximately 24,000 students with learning experiences that enhance their knowledge and critical thinking skills. We are the 3rd largest district in Massachusetts. Our district has over 44 languages spoken and over 60 countries represented by both students and staff. We foster a positive and professional environment in our schools and worksites where people feel valued, respected, supported, seen and heard. Our students and staff share their ideas and perspectives, learning from and appreciating each other. We are a district that is committed to equity and excellence. Join a team that Empowers Educators In addition to offering competitive salaries and benefits, we provide numerous cutting-edge professional development opportunities for all staff. We let our data shape the professional development of the district, therefore, it is relevant and actionable. We support our teaching staff with mentors such as instructional leadership specialists and effective educator coaches to work with them throughout the year in lesson planning, data analysis and management. Our district offers career advancement opportunities and is invested in “Grow our Own” and educational pipeline programs. These programs help our staff achieve a college degree or lead to certification pathways.

Requirements

Associates Degree from an accredited college preferred or minimum of two years of experience in family services or related human services field
Communicate effectively with families in a friendly and supportive manner
Ability to work as an effective team member in a diverse educational, multicultural environment
Skill, ability and knowledge of Microsoft word
Skill and ability to access email and internet
Possess interpersonal and organizational skills
Access to transportation is required

Nice To Haves

Bilingual skills highly desirable

Responsibilities

Provide information on available Springfield Parent Academy workshops and other school and district family activities
Support families with social needs by providing information on appropriate community resources
Assist parents with referrals to district programs and services
Actively promote district and school events and family activities
Help families understand district/school policies and procedures such as: attendance, homework, uniforms and other related information in the Student/Parent Handbook
Create ways for parents and teachers to personally meet to address students’ academic progress (i.e. Parent- Teacher Conferences)
Help parents with general questions and basic information related to special education and other academic related programs
Assist families with parenting skills to support their children
Work with teachers and other staff to develop learning kits to use in home visits
Welcome families, personally meet them and introduce them to the school community
Identify potential Parent/Teacher Organization (PTO) & School Centered Decision Making (SCDM) parents and personally meet them for active participation
Create ways for families and teachers to personally meet
Participate in school events such open houses, coffee hours to personally connect with parents
Act as a liaison between families and school staff when issues arise, more information needs to be shared or cultural differences are a barrier
Document needs of families through Power School and other tracking tools
Using observation and other variety of techniques; identify the specific needs of families and their progress
Develop a support plan to work with the families
Work in collaboration with parents, teachers, counselors, and attendance officers to enhance communication between school and home
Attend parent engagement capacity building workshops geared towards parents and/or school staff
Work in collaboration with parent and community organizations to build the capacity of parents and families
Work in collaboration with the PACE Center Team and community groups to support district activities and the Springfield Parent Academy
Assist school staff with identifying potential translation services