Community Alignment Specialist-Mercer County

Position Summary:

The Family Connects International (FCI) program is a universal program offered to all families with newborns in New Jersey. FCI supports new parents in caring for their newborn(s), offers physical assessments of the mother and the baby, addresses questions about caring for the newborn(s), identifies parents’ needs, and collaboratively helps to identify community services or resources that can meet those needs. The Community Alignment Specialist (CAS) will manage, coordinate, and participate in the development of community resources in partnership with both public and private agencies within the Connecting NJ hub county, and oversee the development and implementation of a marketing plan for the program. This position is responsible for coordinating partnerships with civic, community, health, and human services partners to engage programs, services, and supports designed to meet the needs of families with newborn children. The CAS provides a variety of duties both clerical and administrative in nature ensuring the program operates successfully.

Disclaimer:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties and responsibilities that are required by the employee.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

The CAS will be responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with agencies that serve pregnant people, children birth to five, and their families for the purposes of establishing reciprocal referral networks and generating representation on the Community Advisory Board. Attend all required and suggested training for Family Connects International to maintain program fidelity. Attend all required meetings and trainings deemed necessary by DCF.

• Establish and maintain relationships, partnerships, and coalitions with community resources and services that provide support to families in a timely and appropriate manner as referred by Family Connects International nurses and that participate in the community system of care for young children and their families. Identify key contacts within local partner agencies (may need to travel out of county)
• Maintain ongoing relationships with the prenatal care providers serving residents in the county and out of county, and educating prenatal providers to check off the PRA box for linkage to community-based services
• Conduct routine follow-up meetings and/or conference calls with prenatal and pediatric providers (at a minimum on a quarterly basis) to meet any new staff, review the referral process, discuss concerns, and ensure data quality of incoming referrals
• Attend nurse case conference meeting to provide individual-case consultation about community resources to support nurse home visitors as they connect families with community resources, as needed. Communicate regularly, and as needed, to ensure access to needed information and services for CNJ referrals
• Support and monitor the Post Visit Connection process (i.e., phone calls made to families one month after their nurse visit), to identify unmet community resource needs and/or referrals, customer satisfaction, and problem solve solutions for the community. Plan regular visits to maintain positive working relationships
• Market the program by communicating with referral sources (e.g., obstetric-gynecologic practitioners, hospitals, pediatricians), communicating with groups that interact with families (e.g., employers, newspapers, churches, childcare agencies, the public), and soliciting support from community leaders. Work collaboratively with the CHW (those counties with CHW) and the local CCYC board to ensure that the county has an active and successful local CAB
• Participate in relevant local and/or regional committees and task forces to communicate and collaborate re: community early childhood and perinatal needs. Training to collaborating healthcare providers or community agencies to promote universal home visiting
• Join joint community advisory board to assist in coordinating services within the early childhood system of care. Assist in facilitating CQI processes for the local hub to improve referral process and alignment of resources
• The CAS will utilize and update the Resource Directory affiliated with the CNJ hub and will become familiar with the SPECT database system
• Compile and maintain records, reports, and documentation of program activities regarding community relations for use in program evaluation
• Prepares and submits DCF reports quarterly, annually, and as requested
• Participates in quality improvement and evaluation activities
• Handles other assignments as requested

Working Conditions:

There are no unusual work conditions associated with this position. Noise level in the office is moderate. Professional/business attire is required. Employees are required to attend meetings at external locations and will therefore experience external weather conditions.

Physical Requirements:

Employees are required to occasionally lift up to twenty pounds of materials or equipment.

Education: Master’s degree in related field (Public health, Psychology, Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, Early Childhood Education, Communications, Marketing) or Bachelor’s in a related field with equivalent experience; 5 years of experience working in maternal-child health (MCH), infant/early childhood mental health, parent/family support, and/or related fields and settings. 

Experience: Minimum (5) years of experience working in maternal-child health (MCH), infant/early childhood mental health, parent/family support, and/or related fields and settings

Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills required, and computer literacy preferred. Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with a range of community stakeholders

High level of familiarity with county health and social services required

Understanding of and experience in communication, marketing, and public relations, as well as professional oral and written experience (e.g., public speaking, grant writing)

Leadership skills and a willingness to take initiative and be proactive. Experience with implementing new grant projects preferred. Ability to work independently, as well as in teams

Computer proficiency required with Microsoft programs. Strong interpersonal & oral/written communication skills required

Valid Driver’s license with the ability to provide proof of ongoing automobile insurance coverage is required. This position will entail reimbursable local and statewide travel utilizing personal vehicle