Family Liaison [Alighieri Montessori] (SY26-27)

General Summary: The Family Liaison is a school-based position responsible for building the capacity of schools to authentically engage families. The Liaison’s primary role is to develop family engagement systems and activities that create strong partnerships to support teaching, learning, student achievement, and school improvement. This position works in conjunction with the principal and school staff to create a welcoming environment that values parents/guardians as full partners in the education and development of their children. The Liaison serves as a bridge between school and home, building trustful relationships, fostering understanding, and relaying the needs of one to the other. As a member of the school staff, the Family Liaison is responsible for achieving a set of benchmarks annually.

Responsibilities

• Promotes the Boston Public Schools’ vision for family and student engagement within the BPS and greater Boston community.
• Conducts preliminary/annual assessment of family engagement structures and activities that exist in the assigned school utilizing school climate survey results and the BPS Family Engagement Standards Assessment Tool.
• Develops an individual work plan, with quantifiable deliverables, that details the Liaison role in the implementation of the school’s goals and family/student engagement plan.
• Responds to concerns/issues raised by parents/guardians with empathy, effectively follows through to resolution, and develops strategies for building the capacity of parents to become more effective advocates for themselves and their children.
• Develops families’ understanding and ability to navigate the larger BPS system, including making referrals to school administration and other departments.
• Provides school-based, regional, and community support and outreach to families around school registration and transportation with support and guidance from the Transportation Office and the Office of Student, Family, and Community Advancement.
• Refers students and their families to internal school supports and/or outside agencies (e.g., state agencies, medical professionals, counselors, foundations, non-profit organizations) to ensure the needs of students and families are met.
• Supports the school in developing a plan that ensures consistent, effective, timely, and accessible communication with families in a variety of ways, including in the home languages of families.
• Collects, maintains, and reports accurate data to document outcomes and impact of family engagement activities at the school level, using an electronic database.
• Provides oversight and ensures the recruitment and retention of parents/guardians to the School Parent Council and School Site Council while engaging and developing parent leadership in decision-making processes.
• Organizes family engagement events and workshops that address areas of interest and need for families, such as: understanding the school report card, child development, school policies, effective parent-teacher conferences, bullying, college and career readiness, parenting skills, understanding the curriculum, and effective advocacy.
• Provides coordination and technical assistance to ensure that parent involvement requirements are met; compiles materials and creates files to document compliance.
• Manages outreach to families and students at risk of chronic absenteeism.
• Ensures that every student is enrolled in a summer program, including tracking progress and providing program and opportunity information to parents/guardians.
• Ensures that families understand their rights, including retention and discipline.
• Works with the school social worker, Instructional Facilitator, and nurse to coordinate supports for students and families.
• Participates in regular professional development as directed by the district to improve skills and gain knowledge about family engagement research and best practices.

Qualifications

• Required:
  • Education: High School Diploma or GED.
  • Forty-eight (48) Credit Hours of College Coursework or an Associate's Degree, or a passing score on one of the following Formalized Standardized Assessments: ParaPro Assessment or WorkKeys Certificate of Proficiency for Teacher Assistants.
  • At least 3 years of experience working with diverse families and in an urban setting, with knowledge of their needs.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Deep knowledge of the functions and resources of community organizations and social service agencies providing services to families and children in Boston.
  • Proficient verbal and written communication skills in the dominant home language of the families of the desired school.
  • Ability to take independent initiative while committing to collaboration.
  • Ability to work a flexible schedule, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends based on school, family, and district needs.
  • Ability to employ tact, diplomacy, and sound judgment in dealing with sensitive issues and challenging situations.
  • Strong organizational skills.
  • Proficient in the Microsoft Office suite.
  • Ability to leverage (and when needed, learn) technology and software applications to create reports, maintain records, and provide data.
  • Some experience in developing and/or leading interactive workshops and trainings.
  • Willingness to learn and apply new skills and content.
  • Demonstrated cultural proficiency and ability to lead others in conversations of race and culture.
  • Deep knowledge and understanding of, and demonstrated ability to connect with, the ethnic background of students and families served.
• Preferred:
  • Bachelor’s degree.
  • Multilingual—proficient verbal and written communication skills in multiple languages.
  • Certification in translation and/or interpretation.
  • Reliable transportation.
  • Conflict negotiation training and experience.

Schedule

BTU, Paraprofessional Unit, contractual hourly rate. 215 days per year, 40 hours per week (July 1st to June 30th, including 180 days when school is in session and 35 days outside of the school year; the 35 workdays outside of the school year are assigned as determined by the School Principal/Head of School in partnership with the Office of Student, Family, and Community Advancement).