Family Support Coach - East Lake Center

Sheltering Arms•Atlanta, GA

About The Position

The Family Support Coach supports two-generation efforts to improve outcomes for children and families in education, health and well-being, economic supports, post-secondary and employment pathways, and social capital. The coach follows national standards for family-centered coaching and implements strategies addressing protective and promotive factors identified by Strengthening Families. The role works collaboratively with the center management team to coordinate and integrate family support services. The coach leads family navigation, post-secondary and employment pathways, economic supports, social capital, health and well-being, and family engagement and transition activities. This includes connecting families with employment, education, training and community resources; building parent leadership and family networks; coordinating child and family transitions; supporting attendance and health requirements; and maintaining appropriate family records and documentation. The position is an active member of the center management team and works with families, parents, teaching staff, specialists, consultants, community partners and local schools. The coach is expected to maintain confidentiality, follow Sheltering Arms policies and applicable funding, licensing and accreditation requirements, attend and apply learning from workshops, and perform other related duties assigned by leadership.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in family and consumer sciences, child and family development, social work or a closely related field.
At least two years of experience in a family support type position.
Ability to collaborate with families to develop goals and provide clear feedback about their progress.
Excellent analytical and listening skills.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Ability to work effectively with community partners.
Familiarity with best practices for family-centered, quality early childhood education.
Ability to facilitate parent meetings and workshops.
Basic computer skills.
Ability to visually observe and hear children throughout the classroom and playground from a distance of at least 70 feet.
Ability to sit on the floor to interact with children.
Ability to lift 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

Lead two-generation post-secondary and employment pathways and economic-support efforts.
Ensure targeted families participate in the Bridge Assessment, including goal setting.
Help families find and maintain employment, access job training, enroll in school and connect with community resources.
Build relationships with community agencies and organizations that may serve as resources for families.
Plan workshops and guest speakers on post-secondary and employment pathways and economic supports.
Lead two-generation social capital efforts and use formal and informal opportunities to build and maintain relationships with families.
Promote parent leadership by including parents in planning and implementing activities.
Facilitate networks and group activities that support families’ strengths, interests and needs.
Build families’ knowledge of child development and parenting skills, and involve families in advocacy issues.
Work with parent leaders and the center management team to coordinate fundraisers.
Provide opportunities for families to participate in literacy and learning activities with their children.
Observe and participate in the classroom to support center staff and share information with parents about child development.
Collaborate with teaching staff on home visits, parent/teacher conferences and parent meetings.
Lead planning for parent involvement in children’s program transitions, including program entry, EHS-to-PHS and HS-to-kindergarten transitions.
Develop working relationships with local schools to coordinate successful transitions for children and families.
Assemble a center-based transition team to plan transition activities.
Promote good attendance using Attendance Works! strategies, document attendance in Procare and follow up with families.
Plan and coordinate the Parent Leadership Organization (PLO) with parent leaders and the center management team.
Implement the Fostering Family Leaders Program or a similar parent curriculum annually.
Help plan, facilitate or co-facilitate the PLO Boot Camp at least annually.
Maintain documentation of activities and records in Sheltering Arms’ database software as required by policies and procedures.
Collect family tuition according to Sheltering Arms procedures and invoice community agencies for tuition according to their requirements.
Lead two-generation health and well-being efforts.
Follow Sheltering Arms procedures for referring children for further professional evaluation when necessary.
Work cooperatively with Nutrition, Health and School Readiness Specialists and/or Consultants.
Ensure children’s health records and screenings are on file within required time periods, including ASQ, immunizations, health checks, EED and dental exams.
Coordinate and facilitate Healthy Beginnings meetings.
Provide support and resources to parents of children with special, mental health or health needs, and ensure children’s special nutritional needs are met.
Refer and connect children and families to needed community resources; follow up on referrals and outcomes.
Select parents to participate in the Health and Wellness Advisory Committee and attend its meetings.
Participate as an active and responsible member of the center management team and demonstrate a belief in Sheltering Arms’ philosophy.
Create a positive, welcoming climate for families; maintain good attendance, inform the center director of planned absences and follow center rules.
Maintain a professional appearance and conduct, demonstrate energy and enthusiasm, remain willing to learn and accept constructive criticism.
Understand requirements and regulations from Sheltering Arms funding sources, licensing and accreditation entities, national initiatives such as Head Start Performance Standards, Child Care Licensing and NAEYC accreditation, and partnering organizations.
Maintain files and records on all families served; answer telephone calls helpfully and enthusiastically.
Attend workshops planned by BFTS, other funding, partnering or regulatory entities, and Sheltering Arms, and put learning into practice.
Belong to and participate in a professional organization related to child care and family support.
Respond to administrative-office requests in a timely manner and maintain confidentiality regarding children and families.
Perform other related duties as assigned by leadership.