Safe Haven Part-Time Education & Enrichment Specialist
5 days ago
Chicago
Job DescriptionDescription: Why One Family Illinois? At One Family Illinois (Formerly SOS Children's Villages Illinois) we are committed to keeping brothers and sisters in foster care together by providing safe, stable, and loving homes. We do this by offering an innovative approach to traditional foster care. Our model of care provides a private, single-family home, access to a community center, and support from professionally trained Foster Parents and staff. With this, the children we serve benefit from the stability of remaining with their siblings as well as the support of neighboring One Family Illinois Foster Parents and the entire community. · Work for an impactful organization with a purpose · Corporate culture that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion · Hybrid/flexible work options to help balance work and life · PTO (paid time off in the form of personal days, sick time, vacation days, and paid company holidays · Bonus Plan for Child Welfare Specialists · Employee Referral Bonuses Employee Well-Being Benefits · Competitive Healthcare plans through BCBS for you and your dependents (eligible the first of the following month after 30 of FT employment) · Vision/Dental/Life Insurance offerings · Flexible PTO · Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) · 403b Retirement Savings Plan (nonprofit version of 401K). Able to contribute immediately upon full-time employment. In addition, the organization will contribute 4% to your savings plan after 12 months of full-time employment regardless if you are contributing. · Part of the federal student loan forgiveness program · Access to financial advisors and financial education tools · Tuition reimbursement options · Opportunities for further education as well as time to attend trainings/workshops/etc. for personal/professional development The Role: The Part-time Education & Enrichment Specialist is responsible for providing educational support and advocacy, as well as enrichment opportunities for youth entering emergency, temporary placement within the One Family Illinois Safe Have Program. Including, but not limited to delivering programs focused on academic support, the arts, leadership development, social development and/or life skills. The primary goal of these enrichment activities are to improve the well-being of One Family Illinois children, families, and community related to cultural enrichment, as well as the mental, emotional, and physical health of the children. Responsibilities: • Builds trusting, respectful, and appropriate relationships with youth in the Safe Haven Program to support their transition both on and off the Village., • Connects with school administration, teachers, school social work team, etc. at school of origin for youth entering the Safe Haven Program to learn more about youth’s educational background and struggles., • Collaborates with youth(s) support team to evaluate appropriateness of current school and make recommendations on alternative school options if and when appropriate., • Communicates regularly with teachers, school counselors, school social workers, and principals to ensure our youth are being supported educationally, emotionally, and socially in the classroom, • Advocates for youth in Safe Haven Program to obtain necessary services such as IEPs/504s, as well as other services specific to youth in foster care., • Works with Professional Foster Parents and Child Welfare Team to complete requests for necessary educational assessments and evaluations dependent on youth’s age and educational status., • Collaborates with Full Time Education & Family Enrichment Specialist to develop and execute age-appropriate programming to supplement school and other engagement activities that the children take part in., • Works with the Professional Foster Parents on the Village, the Village Program Director, the Village Program Assistant, the Advancement department, the Clinical department, and members of the Village Administrative Team regarding client and community needs and service availability, • Grows and maintains relationships with local schools and community partners., • Monitors progress report and report card grades and assist in pairing youth with educational assistance, such as tutoring, when needed., • Develop, enhance, implement, and oversee enrichment programs at the Village to enhance the lives of the children and families, including after-school programs and summer activities inclusive of life skills, self-awareness, self-esteem, arts and culture, donor/corporate activities., • Help transition youth moving into and out of the Village by providing introductions, opportunities to participate in activities, and access to important resources in their communities., • Maintain tracking system and provide periodic reports. Track and evaluate the success of the programs implemented to regularly assess and provide recommendations for improvements., • Additional duties as assigned.Requirements:, • Bachelor’s degree in education or other relevant field or high school diploma or equivalent with a minimum of 2 years of college and 1-2 years of experience working directly with youth and program development preferred., • Experience working with youth ranging from preK-12th grade, specifically those who have experienced hardship or trauma., • Experience advocating students within public and charter school systems, specifically Chicago Public Schools, a plus., • Ability to pass DCFS required criminal background check including CANTS/SACWIS and SORS., • Valid Illinois driver’s license with acceptable driving record; insured and reliable transportation, as the position will be split between Villages and will be involved within the communities., • Willingness to travel within the community and to the various agency sites., • Ability to work flexible hours including evenings. Schedule may regularly be later mornings to evenings on weekdays depending on need and program scheduled., • Schedule to be finalized with the supervisor., • Sensitivity to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and staff., • Ability to relate to the Agency staff and to the public in a courteous and professional manner., • Ability to work in a team environment., • Strong communication and organizational skills., • Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment., • Ability to handle sensitive and confidential materials., • Reliable, punctual, and able to manage multiple tasks., • Ability to work in an alcohol, tobacco, drug, and firearm-free environment. ONE FAMILY ILLINOIS is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment with One Family Illinois without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, protected veteran status or other classification protected by applicable federal, state or local law.