Family Connector

Starting Salary Range: $42,500 - $46,500

Agape has a current opening for a Family Connector. As a poverty-reduction initiative, Agape, through its place-based strategy, Powerlines Community Network (PCN), implements a Two-Generation (2Gen)/whole family paradigm. The Family Connector works within an identified community, building and caring for a caseload of families. The Family Connector provides meaningful interventions for families that are seeking to take steps toward getting out of poverty. The Family Connector will build relationships with the families on their caseload, including the children and the community in which they serve. The Family Connector is responsible for assessing the familys history and needs to design interventions that are both meaningful and appropriate, provide trauma-informed and resilience-building services, and collect the required data. Family Connectors are responsible for facilitating efforts to address the health and welfare of children and families served, appropriately addressing needs, i.e., medical, health, spiritual, emotional, social, employment, educational/training, etc.

Family Connectors are required to ensure program quality, transparency, and accurate reporting.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Conduct and update individual/family needs assessment with each familys participation to develop an individualized service plan for the appropriate family involved, noting needed, desired, and requested services and resources
• Use peer-based and holistic approaches to partner with youth and family members by connecting them to needed and desired services and resources, supporting the families throughout these interventions, moving toward success, and completing youth/family goals.
• Provide two-generational/whole family, family-driven, and strength-based services to families who require particular resources and assistance.
• Focus on specific programmatic obligations, goals, and objectives that align with the families' voice and choice (social and economic goals).
• Facilitate the connection and engagement of two-generational families to needed services, such as educational, mental health, substance abuse, workforce development, parenting/relational health (mentoring, gang resistance), homelessness, exposure to violence services, and other services provided through community agencies and resources.
• Manage a caseload of up to 25 clients.
• Make face-to-face contact with youth and families within 48 hours of receiving a referral, 24 hours if the situation is defined as a crisis, and minimally twice monthly thereafter.
• Arrange, coordinate, and monitor services related to meeting the needs of program participants to ensure stability and individual/family goal attainment.
• Coordinate events and activities onsite for program participants to encourage stability and individual/family goal attainment.
• Work in partnership with all departments and other agencies involved and through the Powerlines Community Network, led by Agape Child & Family Services.
• Maintain current and accurate documentation of services provided to youth and families based on various requirements and, if agreed upon, provide necessary data to Agape and partnering agencies for input into the appropriate data systems.
• Serve as an advocate for Agape Child & Family Services and the communities we serve.
• Maintain positive and effective relationships and communication with Agape staff.
• Agape is a data-informed agency. The Family Connector must accurately record data based on program standards and use data for continuous quality improvement for both school-based and site-based programs.
• Must be able to work with a flexible schedule, which would allow for needed interaction and involvement for the tasks of this position, i.e., weekend and evening hours, etc.
• During the summer, when school is not in session, the Family Connector may work to support Agapes summer camp initiatives.
• Complete internal reports and provide information concerning stability.
• Attend and represent Agape in appropriate meetings and training with other agencies.
• Attend staff meetings, Multidisciplinary Team Meetings, and other in-service training provided by the agency.
• Attend regular supervision and team meetings.
• Will perform all other duties within the general scope of this position as requested by the direct supervisor or other members of Agape Leadership.

Record Keeping:

• Maintain accurate and timely reports for case records according to Agape procedures and grant standards through data entry into Agapes preferred data collection system and documentation in all required areas.
• Be prompt in initiating and replying to all correspondence and inquiries.
• Submit timely reports of all referrals to the Supervisor.
• Provide and use all the necessary required data for evaluation purposes.

Professional Responsibilities

• Maintain positive and productive relationships with stakeholders (internal and external) and those we serve in the community
• Participate in staff meetings, in-service training, relevant workshops, seminars, and training events as directed and approved by the program leader.
• Participate in other Agency functions, i.e. community awareness events, advocacy activities, fundraising events, etc.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working at a computer.
• Prolonged walking, standing, and climbing stairs within schools and community sites, and during community events.
• Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds at a time.

Masters degree in social work or related field from an accredited college or university is preferred. Bachelors degree in education, social work, or related field from an accredited college or university, with at least 2 years of relevant experience acceptable or the equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position. The ideal candidate must have a demonstrated ability to provide culturally sensitive, community-based services while working with a wide range of people, a passion for serving others, and knowledge of social service delivery systems. Candidates must also have demonstrated case management experience and experience coordinating services in a community-based setting. Must have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and demonstrated computer proficiency, including the use of Microsoft Office Suite and other software applications essential to this position. Should possess excellent organizational and management skills and have proven ability as a problem solver and self-starter. Understanding of data collection procedures and the aptitude for using data to inform decisions and processes. Experience using a case management system to enter case notes, track client information, and monitor performance, and the utilization of data analysis to inform service plans and supervision needs is a requirement. Experience with the Penelope case management system is a plus. Must have an automobile available for business use and maintain a current drivers license and current auto insurance with acceptable levels of coverage. Will be required to work a flexible schedule to include evenings and weekends as needed. Candidate must be willing to engage in Agapes Performance Quality and Improvement (also known as Continuous Quality Improvement) standards of quality & excellence.