Family Engagement Manager

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

Educare DC serves over 350 children from birth to five years – and their families – through our state-of-the-art center and through community partnerships. Building on the program foundations of Early Head Start and Head Start and accredited by NAEYC, Educare DC promotes school readiness by providing high-quality, comprehensive early learning programming for children who are historically underserved due to systemic racism, eliminating the opportunity gap often experienced by low-income communities. Educare DC is part of the 25-school Educare Learning Network that serves as a platform for broader change, inspiring high-quality programs in communities, improving public policies nationally and within each state, and demonstrating a comprehensive, research-based approach to the first five years of life and learning. Educare DC draws on a blend of private and public dollars, including federal childcare funding, Early Head Start, Pre-K, and other state and federal funding streams.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Family Engagement Manager (FEM) leads in the engagement and involvement of families at the IDEA site. Through activities, practices and services that support parents as the primary nurturers, experts, and teachers of their child, this position works with staff to promote and sustain every child’s learning, development, academic and life success. Reporting to the School Director, the FEM will primarily focus on the work of the Family Support staff which is centered on the parent/child relationship, engaging that relationship with parents and other members of the Educare DC interdisciplinary team. The FEM supervises two Family Engagement Specialists.

Responsibilities:

Family Engagement Planning

• Guide family engagement specialists in supporting the development of the parent-child relationship as children grow and develop from infants to age three.
• Develop and execute a strategic plan for family engagement that aligns with Head Start Performance Standards and program goals.
• Utilize the Parent, Family and Community Engagement Framework to plan and host events that are beneficial to families.
• Develop strategies with families that help them appreciate and contribute to the educational activities of Educare DC and successfully use their own voices to advocate on behalf of their children and themselves.
• Promoting parents’ overall participation in program governance.
• Lead the planning and involvement of parents in their children’s program transitions, i.e., into EHS to HS.
• Support Family Engagement Specialists in the use of child screening, assessment, and progress data to inform the development of goals in the Family Partnership Agreement.
• Liaise between families and community agencies to offer referrals to address family needs.
• Prepare reports on family engagement metrics and outcomes for program evaluation.
• Monitor and track family engagement budget using an organized system for budget management and purchasing.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Participate in the Research Program Partnership and processes of continuous quality improvement and, in conjunction with the Local Evaluation Partner, ensuring completion of family questionnaires and coordination of timely feedback to Family Support staff.
• Lead efforts to engage and involve parents in child development and learning.
• Collaborate with the Comprehensive Services Manager to conduct internal monitoring of health and dental compliance at least three times per year, and monthly monitoring using Child Plus database.
• Participate in Family/Child Reviews (FCRs) in conjunction with the Education Team, Child Services and Nutrition Specialist, Inclusion and Wellness Specialist, ensure FCR action plans are followed, and progress monitored.
• Collaborate with the comprehensive services team to facilitate completion of case consultations and special education eligibility, planning and implementation processes when warranted.
• Develop working relationships with local schools to coordinate the successful transition of children.
• Ensure all Head Start Performance Standards, Educare DC protocols, state, and local licensing requirements, and other funder requirements related to family engagement are met.
• Monitor and ensure Family Partnership Agreements and other required documentation for children and families are completed and uploaded in Child Plus according to established deadlines.
• Establish effective communication channels with parents, including newsletters, workshops, and regular updates.
• Provide support to families during times of crisis, connecting them with appropriate resources and services.
• Participate in the development of service delivery plans, and ongoing monitoring of program quality.
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Professional Development

• Reflective Supervision. Provide Family Engagement Specialists with a predictable schedule of reflective supervision to support, develop, and evaluate their performance through a process of inquiry that encourages their understanding and articulation of the rationale for their own practices.
• Reflective Practice Groups/Communities of Practice. Facilitate and coordinate reflective practice groups comprised of staff sharing the same role to improve professional practice through shared inquiry, reflection, and learning, including solving practical implementation dilemmas related to engagement with families.
• Child Development. Ensure that Family Engagement Specialists and related staff are provided with opportunities to increase their knowledge of child development, including training in proactive, positive approaches to discipline and intervention with children and families with challenging behaviors.

Experience and Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree in Family Studies, Early Childhood Education, Social Work, School Administration, Child Development, or related field plus 5 years of comparable experience working with families in a community-based Head Start or family support program.
• Demonstrated ability to implement parent education strategies and remain current on trends in child development.
• Keen knowledge of resources necessary to meet Early Head Start health requirements.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities including motivating and leading staff.
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and accurately apply Head Start 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 and cooperate with diverse families, various professionals, and community groups.
• Willing to work in a program located in an underserved urban community.
• Exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials at all times.
• Intermediate knowledge of computer applications and the ability to learn and master computer technology/software programs as needed.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Family Studies, Early Childhood Education, Social Work, School Administration, Child Development, or related field plus 5 years of comparable experience.

Master’s degree preferred.

ADDITIONAL JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Clearance of background checks as required by local, state, and federal regulations.
• Annual physical exam, drug screen and TB tests, and Covid-19 vaccination are required as a condition of continual employment as required by Educare DC, state, and federal regulations.
• Attend all required meetings and trainings, including supervisory trainings.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Advanced command of the English language and grammar, both verbal and written.
• Visual and auditory acuity within professionally determined normal ranges, with correction if needed.
• Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer and office equipment.
• Must be able to lift 40 pounds.
• Must be able to travel.
• Must be able to enter and exit a vehicle without assistance and withstand exposure to adverse weather conditions.
• Experience working successfully with a culturally diverse staff and clients.
• Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.
• This position may work 40 or more hours per week.