Family Support Specialist

Why Join Concordia Place?

Founded in 1981, Concordia Place is a vibrant mission driven organization providing multigenerational programs including early learning, after-school, and teen leadership for Chicago communities. Our centers are located in the Avondale, Ravenswood, North Center and Old Irving Park neighborhoods, with plans to expand into Albany Park. While we are diverse, we are united by our mission to create involved communities where all our neighbors can gather, learn, and grow. Concordia believes everyone deserves opportunity, and that it is best served when it is broadly inclusive.\

Our Guiding Principles

• Faith in Action
•  Place of Yes
• A Place for All
• A Place of One
• A Place of Excellence

Overview

The Family Support Specialist collaborates with teaching teams and families to help children have positive learning experiences and achieve the best possible learning outcomes. Social services may include an evaluation of a child's needs, individualized adjustments to curriculum, and referrals to outside programs and resources. The Family Support Specialist supports families and teachers in general through educational workshops. Because of the nature of the relationships this role develops, this person is part of the center leadership. Reports to the Program Director.

Dates & Shift Times

This is a full-time position. Full-time hours mean consistently working 5 days a week, Monday through Friday. This position is located at Concordia on Whipple - 3300 N. Whipple St., Chicago, IL 60618.

Responsibilities

Child Assessment, Referral for Services, and Progress Tracking

• Support teachers during the ASQ screening process; monitor to ensure they are occurring within 45 days of child’s enrollment
• Review ASQ results and assess the developmental progress of children to determine need for services
• Discuss results of the ASQ with parents and teachers
• Assist families in the process of children receiving an IEP or IFSP referral from Early Intervention or CPS 
• Coordinate the scheduling and implementation of the Individual Evaluation plan (IEP) and the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) recommendations
• Advocate for families in the Early Intervention and CPS referral process; attend meetings with families and teachers, and proactively monitor the process
• Create and maintain files for all children of their screenings, evaluations, etc. 
• Record and maintain case records, including documentation of home visits, parent conferences, and all other documentation for regulatory requirements

Family and Teacher Support

• Empower teachers by building relationships, showing respect, and collaborating with them to support each other and the families in their classrooms
• Review classroom curriculum plans and share strategies to support the plan and adapt the environment when necessary to accommodate children’s needs 
• Meet with teachers and families to discuss the needs of individual children 
• Provide teachers with feedback and guidance on working with individual children
• Counsel individual families on their children’s social-emotional and physical care needs; make personalized visits to provide social services that support their individualized needs and goals
• In collaboration with the Assistant Director of Family Support, create and execute an annual training calendar for families, with opportunities for engagement and education; similarly, create and execute training for teachers on relevant topics, such as children with special needs, mental health screenings and assessment techniques, and classroom interventions
• Advocate that children receive the appropriate supports from Early Intervention and CPS
• Proactively provide outreach, support and resources for families and teachers

Excellence in Mission

• Cultivate relationships with families, through ongoing parent engagement efforts
• Work with other Concordia Ministries leadership to ensure “a Place of One”
• Ensure facility program spaces are outward reflections of “a Place of Excellence”

Financial Strength 

• Support program recruitment and enrollment, including program marketing, open houses and other events for prospective families
• In collaboration with the Center administrative team coordinate with marketing and communications to ensure full enrollment 

Visibility

• Promote organization through community relationships and online channels (web, social media, etc.)
• Present programs to community groups; develop and foster relationships with key community and program leaders and organizations
• Coordinate program with other segments of Concordia and with community activities
• Performs other duties as necessary and/or assigned by the Assistant Director or Program Director

Experience and Requirements

• REQUIRED: Bachelor’s degree required in Family Studies, Social Work, or related field
• REQUIRED: Illinois Gateways Family Specialist Credential, Level 5
• REQUIRED: Bilingual English/Spanish
• 3- 5 years working with children in an early childhood setting or working with children 0-5 who are diverse learners
• Knowledge of children’s physical, emotional, and developmental pattern
• Sensitivity to the individual and group needs of children and their families
• Desire to continue to grow their career in the field of early childhood and social services
• Ability to communicate with families and staff effectively
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (including Word, Excel, and Publisher)
• Evidence of emotional maturity and stability
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear. There may be long periods of sitting and computer and phone use; other activities while performing this job may require lifting up to 30-pounds.