Family Resource Specialist

Description

Abilities Network, a multiple year Baltimore Sun Top Workplace, is looking for a Family Resource Specialist to support Project ACT. Project ACT provides training to over 6000 early childhood professionals per year. The Family Resource Specialist will support families and caregivers of children ages birth to 12 years in identifying and accessing parent education, quality child care, and other programs. The Family Resource Specialist will provide 3 key services: Childcare Referral Services, Parent Education, and Navigation Services.

This is a great opportunity to join a growing non-profit organization with an amazing culture and team environment. We are currently offering a new hire bonus of $1800 for this position!

At Abilities Network, we cultivate inclusive communities through relationships, innovation and high-quality services. We accomplish this by living close to our values of respect, well-being, reflection and courage and using them to guide our decision making. If you want to contribute to an organization of people passionate about using relationships to support the empowerment of others then we have a position where you can make a difference.

Key responsibilities and functions may include, but are not limited to:

• Provide families with referrals to child care.
• Conduct family education regarding choosing child care and programs related to child care such as Maryland EXCELS and Child Care Scholarship and assist families with enrolling in education programs.
• Research & identify available family education opportunities in the CCRC network, the region and/or online.
• Provide information and referrals regarding family education and programs on topics such as parenting skills, family supports, protective factors, child development and other educational opportunities.
• Assist families with applications, referrals and appointments for services such as Child Care Scholarship, WIC, Head Start, Early Head Start and MCHP. Connect families with community-based services and research and identify local, state and national resources which can assist families.
• Implement and present community and grant-funded training and mentoring sessions.
• Develop trainings for early childhood professionals and out-of-school-time providers regarding mental health issues, developmentally appropriate practices, trauma informed practices, the inclusion of children with disabilities, and/or managing challenging behavior as assigned or requested.

Requirements

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

Minimum Skills and Qualifications

• Must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood, Social Work, Human Services, Family Services or related field and 2 years of experience in a similar function OR an Associate’s Degree and 5 years of experience in a similar function. Similar functions might include Family Navigator, Family Engagement, Child Care Resource and Referral, etc.
• Must have knowledge of Maryland’s childcare regulations and practices.
• Must have experience working with families and young children.
• Must possess strong professional presentation skills.
• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Must have excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Must have transportation as needed to fulfill the duties of position.
• Must have availability and flexibility to work some evenings and weekends. Occasional overnight travel may be required.
• Must have the ability to lift up to 40 lbs, transport materials and move about training facilities necessary to train groups effectively.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications:

• 4 years of experience working with children ages birth to 5 in childcare programs.
• Coursework in curriculum and child development.
• Group training experience.
• Fluent in a second language preferred.

Abilities Network offers eligible employees a comprehensive benefits packaging including:

• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Company paid Life/AD&D Insurance and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• 403(b) plan with employer match
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Time Off, Sick Leave, Paid Holidays, Anniversary Day Off
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Participate in the Employee Referral Bonus Program and earn up to $1800 per hire
• As a non-profit, Abilities Network satisfies the employment qualification for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) (Visit https://studentaid.gov for more details)

Apply today! Learn more about us at www.abilitiesnetwork.org !

Abilities Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply. It is our policy to recruit, hire, train, and promote individuals without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, veteran status, status as a qualified individual with a disability, sexual orientation, or any other category covered by applicable law.