Family Outreach Specialist

Children and Families First Delaware Inc•Wilmington, DE

About The Position

SUMMARY The Family Outreach Specialist is responsible for establishing and maintaining communication with parents about services, trainings, and program opportunities available throughout the community in support of the Community Schools. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Provide assessment, planning, referrals, advocacy, financial coaching, and collateral contacts on behalf of clients. Work in partnership with the family, providing assistance to accomplish goals and objectives (i.e. scheduling appointments, applying for public benefits, identifying subsidized housing, budgeting, improving financial stability through coaching, etc.). Recruit target families and connect them with the services appropriate to them, identifying specific needs and any barriers. Complete training in the LIFT program and use its tools to help families build financial strength and connect them to income-boosting resources and services. Engage parents in school activities through community outreach through informal meetings at the school, telephone calls, home visits, or other means necessary. Work in partnership with identified families, Community School Site Coordinator and school administrators to address school attendance issues, tardiness and behavior concerns. Assist truant students and their families by accompanying them to their truancy meetings. Work in partnership with the Community School Site Coordinator, and school staff to plan ongoing workshops, trainings and seminars for parents. Take the lead role as needed to plan and coordinate events. Maintain attendance records for all parent activities and classes. Foster relationships with parents and other members of the school community such as the PTA, Principal, teachers and neighborhood-based collaborations for the purpose of information gathering, referral and advocacy for families. Support parent resource center activities at school to provide information and referral services for families. Prepare and maintain timely documentation and records in accordance with agency, state accreditation, and other requirements, policies and procedures. Maintain agency standards regarding confidentiality and quality. Positions located in Community Schools within the Christina School District: Pulaski Elementary, Jones Elementary School, Maurice Pritchett Sr. Academy and the Bayard School.

Requirements

High school graduate or GED with 2 years of related experience, required
Ability to respond appropriately to the cultural differences present among the agency’s service population.
Flexibility with respect to work assignment in accordance with agency need.
Ability to write summaries of program activities, operations for reports.
Accurate typing and/or data input processing skills.
Knowledge of record keeping, filing, and general office procedures.
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Working knowledge of computers, including Microsoft Office software.
Ability to work independently as well as in a team-setting.
Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
Strong interpersonal skills.
Must have reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license, which meets the requirements of the agency’s insurance carrier.

Nice To Haves

Associates Degree with Experience desirable.
Resident within feeder area for the school and/or current/former parent of child/children at the school, desirable.

Responsibilities

Provide assessment, planning, referrals, advocacy, financial coaching, and collateral contacts on behalf of clients.
Work in partnership with the family, providing assistance to accomplish goals and objectives (i.e. scheduling appointments, applying for public benefits, identifying subsidized housing, budgeting, improving financial stability through coaching, etc.).
Recruit target families and connect them with the services appropriate to them, identifying specific needs and any barriers.
Complete training in the LIFT program and use its tools to help families build financial strength and connect them to income-boosting resources and services.
Engage parents in school activities through community outreach through informal meetings at the school, telephone calls, home visits, or other means necessary.
Work in partnership with identified families, Community School Site Coordinator and school administrators to address school attendance issues, tardiness and behavior concerns.
Assist truant students and their families by accompanying them to their truancy meetings.
Work in partnership with the Community School Site Coordinator, and school staff to plan ongoing workshops, trainings and seminars for parents.
Take the lead role as needed to plan and coordinate events.
Maintain attendance records for all parent activities and classes.
Foster relationships with parents and other members of the school community such as the PTA, Principal, teachers and neighborhood-based collaborations for the purpose of information gathering, referral and advocacy for families.
Support parent resource center activities at school to provide information and referral services for families.
Prepare and maintain timely documentation and records in accordance with agency, state accreditation, and other requirements, policies and procedures.
Maintain agency standards regarding confidentiality and quality.