Community Liaison

Candidates must reside within Belmont, Harrison, or Monroe Counties. This is a full-time, hybrid position requiring 40-60% travel within the specified counties and Columbus. This is a grant-funded position contingent upon continued grant funding.

About Us

The Ohio Children's Alliance fosters a brighter future for Ohio's children and families through advocacy, innovation, and collaboration with health and human services organizations. We are a team of talented and diverse individuals passionate about building innovative solutions to challenges facing kids and families. With community agencies as our partners, we empower families to raise Ohio's next generation of leaders.

Role Overview

We are seeking an enthusiastic and community-connected individual to serve as Community Liaison for the Behavioral Health Respite Care Capacity Building Initiative. This initiative aims to grow behavioral health respite capacity in three Ohio regions: Logan-Champaign, Belmont-Harrison-Monroe, and Paint Valley (Highland-Pike-Fayette-Pickaway-Ross).

The Community Liaison will serve as the regional point of contact, working directly with families, community stakeholders, service providers, and local partners. This role focuses on grassroots engagement, relationship building, awareness of behavioral health respite, and supporting families navigating the respite care system. The ideal candidate will be deeply connected to their local community, demonstrate cultural humility, and excel at building trust with families and community partners.

Responsibilities

• Actively build and maintain relationships with behavioral health agencies, county boards, certified providers, and other community partners.
• Participate on the Stakeholder Advisory Committee.
• Coordinate and facilitate monthly awareness meetings, education sessions, and regional campaigns.
• Distribute promotional materials via local channels, such as tabling at community events.
• Assist in developing and implementing community outreach plans.
• Support regional efforts to recruit and retain respite care workforce by connecting potential workers with agencies and promoting opportunities through local networks.
• Partner with institutions of higher education to build a pipeline of qualified practitioners.
• Provide information, support, and navigation assistance to families throughout the referral process, including facilitating warm hand-offs to respite care providers.
• Document and track all outreach activities and outcomes.
• Gather family testimonials, success stories, and feedback to drive continuous program improvement through focus groups, needs assessments, and client stories.
• Contribute regional insights to statewide capacity building and program strategy.
• Collaborate closely with Program Coordinator(s) and fellow regional liaisons to share learnings and align strategies.
• Participate in all required team meetings and training sessions.

Qualifications

• High School diploma and at least three (3) years of professional work experience in social services, community outreach, health care, family support, or a related field.
• Commitment to advancing equity.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking.
• Demonstrated ability to build authentic relationships with diverse families and community stakeholders.
• Understanding of community dynamics and knowledge of community engagement strategies.
• Highly organized, resourceful, and proactive with strong attention to detail.
• Strong time-management skills and ability to prioritize tasks.
• Ability to collaborate with multiple teams simultaneously.
• Strong customer service orientation and empathy for families facing challenges.
• Comfortable facilitating small group discussions and community meetings.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as part of a team.
• Travel regularly throughout assigned region for community events, meetings, and family support.
• Professional attitude and appearance.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including some evenings and weekends as needed.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 products (Outlook, SharePoint, Teams, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Copilot).

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Public Health, Public Relations, Marketing, or related field.
• Experience in behavioral health respite care, child welfare and/or behavioral health systems, or family or peer support programs.
• Knowledge of local behavioral health system and community resources.
• Experience with community organizing/outreach or grassroots engagement.

Benefits

• Compensation: $40,000-$45,000, negotiable commensurate with experience.
• Generous paid time off.
• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage.
• 401(k) retirement benefit.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Public service student loan forgiveness options.

Why Join Us?

• Impactful Work: Be part of making a real difference in the lives of children and families across Ohio.
• Professional Growth: Opportunities for continuous learning and career advancement.
• Supportive Team: Work with a passionate and dedicated team committed to excellence.
• Flexible Environment: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with flexibility.
• Diversity: The Ohio Children's Alliance is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.