DEPARTMENT: Family Support Programs  

POSITION TITLE: School Liaison

LOCATION: 90 Federal St Greenfield MA  

STATUS: Non-Exempt

SUPERVISOR: Family Center Manager 

POSITION SUMMARY:

Provide trauma-informed and strength-based support and programming for adolescents and families as part of Community Action’s Family Resource Center contract. Work closely with local school districts to help families and youth navigate through education and school-related concerns and needs, as well as work with schools to identify families and youth that may need family support services. Support implementation and coordination of case management and referral process between DCF, Juvenile Courts, public schools and the Family Center in Franklin County for CRAs.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School/Equivalency.
• Three years’ experience doing case management with youth and families.
• Experience planning and facilitating groups and meetings with youth and young adults ages 14-21.
• Experience working with low-income youth and young from high-risk environments and familiarity with the issues confronting at-risk families and/or youth.  
• Familiarity with “CRA” (Children Requiring Assistance) process, local school resources and community service referrals. 
• Bi-lingual/bicultural (Latino/Spanish) preferred.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide programmatic support for the FRC contract and all related programs and services.
• Provide high quality individual case management services to youth at risk of or with “CRA”; help participants access resources, overcome barriers, build skills, and achieve goals.
• Maintain strong understanding of a broad range of local, state and federal resources to assist families and use to provide effective Information & Referral services to families and youth.
• Work closely with youth and caregivers to support the family system in the five areas related to “CRA” referrals.  
• Plan, coordinate, facilitate, implement and evaluate engaging group activities for families and youth, as assigned, including delivering evidence-based curricula or best practices.
• Coordinate and maintain regular meetings with collaborators.  
• Support Manager in regular outreach and meetings with DCF, Juvenile Court and public schools to evaluate programming and support families.  
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with area schools, community-based organizations and service providers to foster effective outreach, networking and ongoing referral process.? Including but not limited to: school administrators, DCF, clerk magistrates, and court officer. 
• Research and implement best practices for issues arising in local community with school age youth. Work closely with schools to build trust and provide ongoing referrals.  
• Support families and individual students by serving as a liaison between families, students and school to promote academic success.
• Work collaboratively with schools and community partners to promote systems change to support student success.
• Ensure required data and reporting is completed in an accurate and timely manner.?Responsible for tracking all “CRA” related youth and families to show outcomes on a yearly basis. 
• Assist with ongoing program development and assessment to ensure that services are responsive to community/family/youth needs and in compliance with all relevant evaluation, funding and regulatory requirements.
• Represent the Family Center and Community Action on area coalitions and at local and regional meetings as assigned.
• Consistently apply and uphold all guidelines, policies and procedures of assigned contracts, Family Support Programs and Community Action.
• Required to work some evenings and weekends. Flexible schedule required at times.
• Attend all staff meetings, supervision, training, mandatory agency trainings, and other relevant meetings, as required.
• Maintains strict confidentiality and strong boundaries with clients and families.  
• Other reasonable duties as assigned by the supervisor, director or designee.

This does not cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may be adjusted to meet the operational needs of the agency. 

SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Proficient computer skills: using a mouse, email, Microsoft office products, and database entry.
• Excellent verbal (in-person and phone) and written communication skills 
• Excellent networking and outreach communication skills.  
• High level of organization and tracking capabilities.   
• Excellent customer service. 
• Ability to use a strength-based, trauma-informed approach to working with families and youth.   
• Ability to work on a systems level and support implementation of policies, procedures and processes related to policy and individual needs. 
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision and to complete projects in a timely manner in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to engage, communicate, and work effectively with diverse adolescents, parents, co-workers, school staff, businesses, and other youth service providers, using a strength-based, trauma-informed perspective, sensitivity to the needs of people with low incomes and culturally diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated effectiveness working with youth and young adults to overcome barriers and set and achieve goals.
• Understanding of child/adolescent development. Knowledge of and experience with Positive Youth Development approach and programs.
• Understanding of child/adolescent development.  
• Familiarity with local (Franklin County), state and federal resources and services preferred.  
• Understanding of data capture and tracking methods. 
• Sensitivity to the needs of people with low incomes and culturally diverse backgrounds.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands and work environment described below is representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, and/or hear.
• The employee is frequently required to stand, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee is frequently required to drive, walk and climb stairs.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.
•  The employee must have the ability to be added to Community Action’s non-owned and hired vehicle policy and drive a personal vehicle.

The noise level in the office is usually quiet but can be loud in groups with participants.? The work environment is primarily within an indoor office environment or comparable space, with occasional exposure to outdoor weather when traveling to outreach or meeting sites, or when participating in special program activities.

AA/EOE/ADA 

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of Criminal Offender Record check (C.O.R.I.) prior to hire and every three years. Evidence of a good driving record and ability to be covered under Community Action’s non-owned and hired vehicle policy.  

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