Children Services Coordinator

Overview

Rising Ground provides caring support and proven paths to positive change, helping children, adults, and families rise above adversity, and each year, Rising Ground is a positive force in the lives of more than 25,000 individuals. We do this through 50 programs in 70 locations throughout New York City and Westchester. Our strong belief and commitment to diversity shows not just through our work with supported persons, but is integral to the building of a strong staff that reflects the communities we serve.

The Trauma Recovery Center (TRC) of Rising Ground understands the importance of removing barriers to care and providing trauma-informed services. Through this dedication, the TRC aims to transform services for survivors of violent crime. Rising Ground’s TRC is designed to help victims of violent crimes overcome barriers to accessing mental health treatment, health care, and legal resources in the acute aftermath of trauma. The TRC serves recent victims of violent crime, including survivors of physical assault, sexual assault, gun shot wounds, stabbings, domestic violence and human trafficking. The Trauma Recovery Center facilitates healing for survivors of trauma, violence, and loss through an innovative model that blends comprehensive care, advocacy and outreach.

The Children's Services Coordinator will be responsible for creating and providing a safe and welcoming place for trauma survivors and their children. The ideal candidate will bring a passion for social justice and anti-oppressive practice, ample experience implementing services to a wide age range of people, and a desire to work collaboratively with a team. Experience working with trauma survivors and their children is preferred. All candidates must have an understanding of trauma-based work. The ideal canidate recognizes that “the most harmed are the least helped,” understands the importance of removing barriers to care, and has a passion to increase accessibility of services to survivors of violent crimes. The canidate understands the importance of providing trauma-informed services to survivors of violent crime. This position is located in our Brooklyn location.

Responsibilities

• Oversees all services provided in the Children's Room at the TRC, including childcare, therapeutic activity groups and recreational activities, to ensure quality and appropriateness of services.
• Develops and implements themes and activities for groups and childcare conducted in the Children's Room at the TRC.
• Conducts observations of the children in the playroom, regarding behavioral and emotional health as well as socialization skills; engages child's caregiver and other TRC staff, as appropriate, in discussing results of those observations. Provides advocacy and case management assistance to clients at the TRC as needed.
• Actively engages in inter-disciplinary collaboration and case coordination with administrative staff of the TRC and other partner agencies.
• Develops relationships with community-based children's resources and links clients with services.
• Oversees planning of periodic special events and recreational activities.
• Oversees inventory in the Children's Room and works with staff at Rising Ground and TRC to ensure the Children's Room is adequately supplied.
• Distributes children's program in-kind assistance, including gifts, clothing, and children's supplies.
• Works with appropriate staff at TRC to recruit and supervise volunteers and interns in the Children's Room.
• Participates in weekly supervision and attends other meetings as required.
• Performs administrative tasks as needed.
• Maintains program records and completes reports.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Degree in early childhood education, child development or related discipline and/or ample experience in early childhood education, preferred.
• Bi-lingual English/Haitian Creole or English/Spanish required.
• Experience developing and running children's groups and activities.
• Strong desire to work with children and families.
• Knowledge of the dynamics of trauma and the intersectionality of trauma.
• Excellent communication skills and computer literacy.
• Keen ability to work with individuals of diverse backgrounds and identities;
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to apply those skills in varied situations;
• Demonstrated ability to be flexible and work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team as well as independently;
• Ability to work flexible hours;
• Ability to work independently and accountably.

Starting Salary $55,000.00/Annually.