At Easterseals of Chicagoland and Greater Rockford, we are committed to two – often interconnecting - pillars of work……early learning and disability. Through these pillars, we transform the lives of early learners and individuals of all abilities through access to expert educational, family, and community support. As an affiliate of America’s largest nonprofit healthcare organization, we have proudly served the communities and families of Chicagoland and Greater Rockford since 1936. 

For more information about our organization, please visit us online at www.eastersealschicago.org.

Under the direction of the ELS Support Services Director the Family and Community Engagement Manager supports Early Learning Services sites throughout Chicago and surrounding suburbs by providing content area expertise, oversight, training, and leadership in parent and family engagement and family services; directs the planning, organization, and implementation of family engagement services for all children/families in the program; and monitors the quality of services provided and outcomes achieved as well as compliance with the Head Start Program Performance Standards, the Head Start Act and ISBE Preschool for All and Prevention Initiative guidelines across the content area.

This role is ideal for someone who has respect for children and families with diverse values and cultures and is passionate about supporting learning environments and opportunities that are designed to help children develop physically, socially, cognitively, and emotionally and ensuring that parents are supported in their role as the child's primary teachers.

This position is headquartered at Easterseals Chicago Location at 1939 W 13th Street, Chicago, IL 60608.

MAJOR FUNCTIONS/ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Implement and review agency policies and procedures in assigned component areas. Propose revisions based on program needs and identified challenges while maintaining compliance with the Head Start Program Performance Standards, the Head Start Act, ISBE, and all regulatory agencies. 
• Work with program leaders to align the program’s family engagement approach with the Head Start Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Framework, and to enhance interventions to achieve family outcomes in the targeted outcome areas, including male engagement initiatives. 
• Ensure a family-centered, strengths-based approach is understood and followed by staff. 
• Oversee training and implementation of the parent engagement curriculum.
• Develop and implement a system for the provision of case management and referral for social services to families.
• Take the lead in coordinating program-wide parent activities in coordination with other content area managers. 
• Coordinate and lead the team in planning site-level parent activities.
• Work with staff to promote parent engagement, including participation on Parent Committees and the Policy Council.
• Participate in and support Policy Council activities as needed.
• In collaboration with the Community Engagement and ERSEA Manager, identify, develop, and maintain community linkage agreements to meet family and program needs and goals in the areas of social services, parent and family engagement, and father/male engagement, including identifying potential parent activity presenters.
• In collaboration with the Community Engagement and ERSEA Manager, coordinate program participation in food drives, coat drives, toy drives, etc. 
• Contribute to the achievement of Program Goals, School Readiness goals, and PFCE goals.  
• Participate in program planning and implementation of all service areas as part of an integrated leadership team.
• Identify and collaborate with new and existing local community agencies to develop a network for advocacy, referrals, and services.
• Prepare monthly reports in the area of parent engagement and family services.
• Facilitate and/or participate in regularly scheduled meetings.
• Complete the annual PIR as part of the leadership team.
• Develop and implement an ongoing monitoring and evaluation system for parent engagement and family services, including monthly reporting, database monitoring, and file audits. Ensure timely and complete documentation in the database system.
• Participate in the ongoing self-assessment of the program.
• Supervise the Lead Family and Health Coordinator.
• Implement reflective and relationship-based practices.
• Provide training and ongoing technical support to staff in the areas of parent and family engagement and family services, including observations and feedback; training follow-up; performance evaluation; and professional development plan. 
• Ensure compliance with policies and enforce disciplinary action as needed.
• Travel to Easterseals and partner sites regularly.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Education/Certification:
• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related field.
• Experience Requirements:
• 3-5 years of experience in Head Start/Early Head Start.
• 3-5 years of management experience.

Required Knowledge:

• Microsoft Office Suite or related software including Microsoft Teams.
• Head Start Performance Standards.
• ISBE/PFA
• Experience with data management systems

Vehicle/Transportation Requirements:

• Valid driver’s license
•  Auto insurance
•  Reliable vehicle

Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to multi-task in a high stress environment. 
• Ability to interact with diverse personalities.
• Ability to problem solve.
• Basic computer knowledge including Microsoft Office programs.
• Completion of a minimum of 15 hours of continuing education per year.
• Willing to work flexible hours to accommodate the needs of the families.
• Knowledge of and ability to assess, analyze, and interpret HS Standards, state and local licensing requirements and the organization's philosophy.
• Ability to work as a cooperative and supportive member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to communicate, collaborate and engage with diverse families, professionals, and community groups.
• Ability and willingness to work in programs located in high-risk and/or low-income communities.
• Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials.

ADA: Easterseals will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disability Act of 1990. Unless exempted by the Americans with Disabilities Act, all persons hired for this position are required to possess the ability to perform the physical tasks necessary to treat clients, i.e., bending, floor-sitting, etc., as well as to have the ability to lift up to 50 pounds frequently.