Program Coordinator

Lutheran Community Services Northwest•Boise, ID

About The Position

In 2020 we re-opened our office in Boise, Idaho to provide family and child services in the Treasure Valley region. This position will support the implementation of Safe Families for Children, a national evidence-based prevention program that exists in 40 states around the nation. We provide services to keep children safe and families together through a network of volunteer Host Families, Family Friends, and Family Coaches. Volunteers temporarily host children and provide a network of support to families in crisis while they stabilize. The primary objectives are: 1) prevent child abuse or neglect during a short-term family crisis, 2) create an extended support system for struggling families to help them regain strength and stability, and 3) keep families together. The Safe Families for Children Program Coordinator serves a key role in supporting the coordination and administration of the Safe Families for Children program in the Treasure Valley, Idaho. As a vital member of the team, the Program Coordinator collaborates closely with the District Director and Program Manager to strengthen partnerships with referral agencies and faith communities; develop and sustain a robust volunteer network; and help coordinate care for families in need. This position provides broad support across program functions, with particular emphasis on community outreach; volunteer screening and training; ongoing volunteer coordination and education; and thorough data tracking and process management. The Program Coordinator supports additional programming, such as Parent Cafés, to further engage families and strengthen community connections. In all areas, the Program Coordinator contributes to program growth initiatives and helps ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery throughout the region.

Requirements

Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree and/or 2 – 4 years of related human services in the field or in lived experience
Excitement and passion for building the Safe Families program! Be a champion for the compassionate ethos of Safe Families for Children, which is rooted in the historic Christian tradition of showing kindness and hospitality to those in need
Have respectful, open, unbiased, and accepting attitude toward all clients and their families, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, culture, sexual orientation, etc.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to answer an array of public inquiries on the phone, through email or in person
Highly organized, detailed and ability to successfully handle multiple priorities and tasks to ensure program impact and efficiency.
Experience in recruiting, organizing and mobilizing groups or volunteers
Ability to work collaboratively as part of a small team and problem-solve to support new program implementation in the Treasure Valley
Flexible, positive and creative
Maintain volunteer, client and office confidentiality
Experience with Excel spreadsheets, Google forms and other platforms
Requires valid driver’s license and vehicle to travel throughout the Treasure Valley to various meetings and events
Ability to work independently
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written or oral form

Nice To Haves

Experience with faith-based communities helpful
Ability to speak and work in front of and with small groups of people is an advantage
Knowledge of dynamics of vulnerable families in crisis situations is helpful (including but not limited to: homelessness, domestic violence, substance use and behavioral health)

Responsibilities

Serve as a core member of a small local team to help implement and coordinate Safe Families for Children programming in the Treasure Valley.
Identify and engage local churches to establish partnerships and expand program reach.
Work closely with participating Safe Families churches in the Treasure Valley to ensure continual growth in their ministry and to promote volunteer engagement.
Recruit, train, coach and build relationships with church Ministry Leads; help them develop their ministry teams (circles of support) through new volunteer recruitment.
Train Ministry Leads and Family Coaches in understanding resource networks for the families they serve.
Ensure churches and their volunteers are made aware of specific volunteer opportunities and that volunteers have adequate support to meet the needs of parents and children.
Oversee the volunteer onboarding process, including completion of fingerprinting, background checks, reference checks, and other administrative steps for volunteer approval.
Work with Program Manager to complete home studies of volunteer Host Families.
Coordinate and facilitate volunteer trainings at partnering churches; support Program Manager in development of Family Coach and Ministry Lead trainings.
Ensure continued volunteer compliance with safety standards, including annual reassessments and weekly home checks of Host Families during active placements.
Ensure effective communication between Safe Families staff, volunteers, ministry leads and other partnering community organizations.
Assist the Program Manager in strategically matching families in need with Host Families, Family Coaches, and other volunteers to ensure the best possible care and support.
Work with Program Manager to coordinate debriefs with volunteers after families exit the program.
Work with Program Manager to organize and facilitate monthly Parent Café peer support meetings, including organizing volunteer support.
Help maintain and improve data tracking and reporting; manage and organize information related to volunteer onboarding.
Support District Director in giving presentations to schools, community groups, organizations and agencies to build community partnerships, grow awareness, and expand referral base.
Support District Director in donor development and fundraising, including identifying, cultivating and retaining church and business donors.
Expand our referral base and resource network for families in need through networking and information gathering.
Collaborate with other Safe Families chapters around the nation to gain insight and learn new strategies that can be used for continuous improvement and program development.
Support Program Manager and District Director in responding to phone and email referrals received in office from families in need as assigned.
Participate in staff and team meetings as assigned & support student interns as available.
Support the facilitation of community-based collaborative meetings as assigned.
Attend conferences and trainings as interested or available.
Assist with external program communications, including social media marketing, events, e-news, family success stories, and material development.

Benefits

A 37.5 per hour work week to ensure work/life balance
Medical, dental, vision, and prescription benefits to keep you and your loved ones healthy
Employer-paid short- and long-term disability insurance
Life insurance coverage at no cost to you
Up to 2 weeks of vacation in your first year (based on hours worked)
Up to 2 weeks of sick leave (based on hours worked)
12 paid agency recognized holidays
2 floating holidays to use your way
403(b) retirement plan with employer matching (eligibility applies)
Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you and your family
Potential eligibility for Student Loan Forgiveness through our 501(c)(3) nonprofit status