Family Support Worker- Baby University

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICE PROGRAMS:

The Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) creates and coordinates services that enhance the quality of life for Cambridge residents. Driven by the needs of residents, DHSP's extensive services and programs touch almost every sector in the city: from newborns to senior citizens, from school-aged children to homeless families, from non-profit organizations to local employers.

The Center for Families is a City-wide family support program serving families with children prenatal to eight years old. The Center provides parenting education workshops, parent support groups, early literacy playgroups, gross-motor playgroups, home visits, information and referral services, community building events, parent/child activities, one-on-one supports, and concrete support in times of need. All Center activities and services are welcoming and respectful of participants' cultural, family structures, and socio-economic backgrounds. The Center for Families values diverse, flexible, creative teamwork-oriented staff members who are committed to serving all families, especially those traditionally under-served.

Baby University (Baby U) is an intensive family support program of the Center for Families. It serves Cambridge families with at least one child under the age of 4, with priority given to families living in public or subsidized housing. Through a strengths-based, racial equity lens, Baby U supports families by providing evidence-based parent education, access to local resources and supports, and opportunities to develop community. Parents who complete the program are invited to join the Baby U Alumni Association. The Association offers workshops, discussion groups, family fun events, and one on one services that provide ongoing support and maintain connections between staff and families until their youngest child successfully completes Kindergarten.

The Center for Families values diverse, flexible, creative teamwork-oriented staff members who are committed to serving all families, especially those traditionally under-served. The Department of Human Service Programs is committed to the elimination of racism within our department.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Specific duties/responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

Recruitment:

• With other staff, create, distribute recruitment, and outreach material and recruit families to attend Core Program. Attend outreach events, including housing development door to doors in service areas as needed. With other staff maintain up to date and accurate recruitment binder and assist with recruitment data entry.

• With other staff, create and organize recruitment spreadsheets for tracking.

• Schedule home visits with interested families to introduce them to the program and to formally sign-up for the program. Confirm enrollment with families.

Core and Alumni Program:

• Provide input into the development of workshop and playgroup curricula for the Core Program. Attend trainings to learn and prepare curriculum materials.

• Facilitate, with other Baby U staff, 15 Saturday parent education workshops and playgroups during the Core Program. Co-plan and facilitate Graduation ceremony

• Conduct home visits to Core Program and Alumni Association families. Complete and submit home visit notes weekly. Complete family summary report for each Core Program family yearly. Participate in weekly team and consultation meetings and provide ongoing regular updates to the Baby U Family Services Coordinator on all families experiencing crisis.

• In collaboration with other Baby U staff, plan and facilitate Baby U Alumni Association events including Parent Advisory group.

• Become familiar with available community resources for children and families.

• Act as Liaison to specific community resources.

• With Baby U Program Coordinator, oversee evaluation process including data collection, data entry and analysis.

• In collaboration with the finance committee process program grants.

• Provide oversight and assist with upkeep and maintenance of Baby U shared drive.

• Complete administrative duties as necessary.

• Complete all other duties that may be necessary.

• Other duties as assigned.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Experience and Education:

• Bachelor's degree in child development or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

• Minimum of three years' experience working with diverse populations of young children and families required

• Strong experience with group facilitation

• Experience with family support, parent education, early childhood education and community outreach

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent organizational skills

• Strong oral and written communication skills

• Strong computer skills in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel

• Familiarity with family support principles and early education preferred

• The City of Cambridge's workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, WORKING CONDITIONS, WORK FLEXIBILITY AND ACCOMODATIONS:

• The noise level is moderately to very loud. It includes classroom, outdoor playgrounds, and occasional field trips.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, walk, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to run, during play or responding to an emergency.

• Employees are frequently required to engage with children on the floor and at their eye level. Employees are frequently required to use their hands and arms to handle and manipulate objects as well as reach.

• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move a child. Vision abilities are required for supervision of children.

• Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS:

• Eligible for part-time sick leave accrual

• City employee commuter benefits (T-Pass reimbursement Bluebikes membership, EZRide Shuttle membership)

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Please upload the following documents to complete your application:

• Resume

• Cover Letter

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