Associate, Community Connections in Chicago, Illinois at Illinois Action For Children
Job Description
SUMMARY:
Under the direction of the Parent University Chicago-West Program Manager the Community Connections Associate will work with parents/caregivers with children 0-18 in North Lawndale to coordinate and facilitate parent activities through the Parent University Chicago program. The program is funded with the generous support of the Steans and CME Foundation. The Community Connections Associate will work with the PUCW Program Manager to coordinate parent-driven workshops by using the Parent University model to increase parent education and empowerment for families on the West Side of Chicago. These sessions and workshops will be responsive to parents’ desires to increase parent engagement and strengthen families in the community. The balance of the work will also entail working with community partners to provide guidance and support to parents about how to access services, work with providers to connect parents to resources, and manage the various aspects of caregiving for children. The Community Connections Associate will develop a caseload of parents from the workshops and will meet with parents one-on-one to address any barriers identified through the needs assessment filled out by the parent at the beginning of the workshops and connect them to community resources that enhance the overall well-being of the family based on their needs. The Community Connections Associate will set goals to strengthen and empower parents as well as increase parents' confidence and competence in their parenting abilities, providing children with a safe, stable, and supportive family environment.
The candidate should possess a positive attitude and strive to see the best in the community and its families. The ideal candidate will have a strong background working in vulnerable communities and be able to effectively communicate with a variety of audiences: families, children, and professionals. The candidate is expected to promote and adhere to the workplace core capabilities of accountability, customer focus, continuous quality improvement (CQI), communication, competent people, and clear priorities. All work is to be completed by organizational standards.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to the following. The organization reserves the right to add to, delete, change, or modify the essential duties and responsibilities at any time.
- Create, maintain, and retrieve alphabetical case files, which includes but not limited to filing of all parent/provider required paperwork, data entering and/or scanning client information into computer filing system and upkeep of file storage areas.
- Approve and enter all IDEC childcare certificates in the Child Care Tracking System while maintaining all applicable department databases; identify discrepancies and payment issues in accordance with the IDEC Procedure Manual.
- Maintain records/databases pertaining to W9/CANTS/IVR forms and run reports as needed; ensure appropriate actions are taken with providers who do/do not meet qualifications set by IDEC.
- Process weekly IDEC and internal reports; Responsible for all quality control measures to ensure file compliance.
- Maintain and adhere to all Illinois Action for Children and IDEC policies and procedures in regards to file maintenance and required timelines. Assist with quarterly Springfield shipment projects.
- Ensure confidentiality of parent and provider information received and managed by Illinois Action for Children.
7. Execute our workplace core capabilities of: accountability, customer Focus, Continuous quality improvement (CQI), communication, competent people, and clear priorities.
8. Other Functions: The organization may assign other functions to the job at its discretion.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to the following. The organization reserves the right to add to, delete, change or modify the essential duties and responsibilities at any time.
- Support the PUCW Program Manager with planning and identifying parent-driven workshops using the Parent University model on the West Side of Chicago. Coordinate and facilitate workshops for parents – managing the calendar of events.
- As required, present publicly about the program and its services.
- Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications department to advance a recruitment strategy to promote the program services.
- Engage and recruit parents residing on the West Side of Chicago to attend community workshops
- Build relationships and rapport with community partners and organizations that provide services on the West Side.
- Build knowledge of all resources and supports for the West Side of Chicago, becoming an expert in the area
- Meet with parents regularly to address their individual goals as needed – including regular communication, meetings, and check-ins
- Identify, develop, and maintain a caseload of parents living on the West Side of Chicago that need support and connect them to resources that help them thrive.
- Cultivate strong relationships with parents by listening to their needs, challenges, and solutions to enhance their life
- Promote and connect children to formal early learning programs
- Maintain database and data entry for the program to track measurable results that assess the impact of parent services and training
- Participate in evaluation processes for the program.
- Coordinate and integrate strategies and activities in North Lawndale with community partners and other teams working in North Lawndale
- Complete other duties as assigned.
- Execute our workplace core capabilities of accountability, customer focus, continuous quality improvement (CQI), communication, competent people and clear priorities.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Social Work, Education, Psychology, or related field.
- At least three years of related experience and or training
- Ability to work in a variety of settings with culturally diverse families and communities with the ability to be culturally sensitive, appropriate, and professional
- Ability to build strategic relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders with divergent interests and goals.
- Experience coordinating workshops and using multiple technical platforms when needed.
- Experience embedding an equity lens in working with communities
- A strong sense of respect for confidentiality, involving families and fellow employees.
- Willingness to work flexible hours evenings and some weekends
- Excellent documentation skills
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills with the ability to establish rapport at all levels.
- Excellent presentation and public speaking skills with diverse audiences
- Ability to legally operate a motor vehicle and provide own transportation with a valid driver’s license
- Excellent skills working with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
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