Family Engagement Specialist

Family Engagement Specialist

Martha’s Table requires all team members and classroom volunteers to have completed a COVID-19 primary series and received one booster dose. Team members who are not yet eligible for a booster must submit proof of their booster vaccination within 2 months of receiving their final primary series dose or an original monovalent booster vaccine to hr@marthastable.org.

Martha’s Table will consider waiving the vaccination requirement for:

• Team members who object in good faith and in writing, pursuant to procedures established by the City Administrator or his or her designee, that the employee’s vaccination would violate their sincerely held religious beliefs; and

• Team members who have obtained and submitted written certification from a physician or other licensed health professional who may order an immunization, that being vaccinated for COVID-19 is medically inadvisable because of the employee’s medical condition.

Team members who believe they qualify for either exemption must submit a request for a waiver along with appropriate documentation to support their request to hr@marthstable.org.

Martha's Table is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants who are unable to be vaccinated for religious or medical reasons should contact Human Resources (hr@marthastable.org) as soon as possible to engage in the interactive process and explore what, if any, reasonable accommodations Martha's Table is able to offer.

ABOUT MARTHA’S TABLE

At Martha’s Table (MT), we believe that every Washingtonian deserves the opportunity to thrive. For over forty years, we have worked to support strong children, strong families, and strong communities by increasing access to quality education, health and wellness, and family resources.

Together, we are “One MT.”  This means we work across all three of our locations to support our shared mission. In all that we do, we exemplify our four core values of respect, compassion, teamwork, and accountability. These values -- and our commitment to “white glove service” -- guide how we engage with the communities we stand alongside and how we work together as a team. When you come to Martha’s Table -- as a guest or as a team member --  you are valued and you deserve our very best.

In order to be the best version of MT, we are deeply committed to equitable practices. We apply the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in providing programming and services; in creating our Board; in partnerships and procurement; and in hiring, training, and advancing our team members.

We invest in our team members’ personal and professional goals through our “STEP” program, which includes tuition for continuing education, certifications, and professional development; funding to unlock financially held transcripts; and flexible leave options.

POSITION OVERVIEW

As a Head Start/Early Head Start Grantee, Martha’s Table is seeking a Family Engagement Specialist to lead the case management services for this program. The Family Engagement Specialist is responsible for the provision of support services and resource navigation for enrolled families and children.

POSITION DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Works collaboratively with staff and community agencies to support the needs of families and children enrolled in Martha’s Table Early Learning program.

• Works with families to complete Family Partnership Agreements within 45 days of enrollment into the program, as well as complete appropriate follow-up meetings to the Family Partnership Agreement every six months.

• Makes appropriate referrals for families to community agencies and ensures proper follow-up services.

• Assesses family needs and helps families establish short-term and long-term goals in the areas of housing, health, public assistance, hunger, and parenting. Assists families in developing action plans to achieve family goals.

• Assists the Head Start and Early Head Start program with recruitment and enrollment activities.

• Assists with planning parent workshops, securing guest speakers, and implementing parent activities based on the results of Parent Interest Surveys.

• Administers, collects, and analyzes Parent Interest Surveys to inform parent activities.

• Enters and tracks information in our Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) database and ChildPlus data system, and keeps students’ files updated.

• Assists families with transition to PreK4/kindergarten, including providing PreK4/kindergarten registration information and coordinating kindergarten visitations.

• Participates in case management in coordination with team members.

• Conducts family services home visits, minimum once per year.

• Assists with the development and implementation of the Parent-Community Family Engagement.

• Attends professional development meetings and training opportunities.

• Represents Martha’s Table at local community meetings and/or events.

• Serves as a liaison with classroom teaching staff and family services to address chronic absenteeism and/or other family concerns.

• Works closely with the Health Coordinator to ensure completion of all required health screenings.

• Assists with the planning of Parent Policy Council meetings.

• Collaborates with families’ primary social workers.

• Provides monthly reports.

• Maintains confidentiality of information at all times.

• Attend at least 2 Martha’s Table anchor events annually.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Commitment to Martha’s Table’s mission and core values of compassion, respect, teamwork, and accountability

• Embodies and serves as a model for “white glove service” and our organization’s core values.

EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS

• Experience working with infants, toddlers, and/or preschool children preferred.

• Experience working in communities in Washington, DC.

• Experience working with family caseloads and establishing positive relationships.

• Excellent organizational, time management, and communication skills.

• Must have DC local and Federal criminal record clearance, Child Protective Register check status, and substance abuse testing.

• Ability to travel locally.

• Must demonstrate flexibility in work settings, maturity of judgment, and ability to work collegially.

• Must have the ability to maintain a cooperative, diplomatic working relationship with co-workers, supervisors, families, and community members.

• Proficiency in multiple software applications including most Microsoft Office products and Google Suite.

• Commitment to Martha’s Table’s mission and core values of compassion, respect, teamwork, and accountability.

• Documentation of tuberculin-free condition and health screening on an annual basis.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

• A bachelor's degree, preferably related to one or more of the disciplines this role oversees or, within 18 months of hire, at a minimum, a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field.

• Proficiency in verbal/written Spanish, preferred but not required.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop; kneel; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

This position requires the completion of a satisfactory background check. Martha’s Table provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.