Family Resource Specialist

Position Summary

The Family Resource Specialist supports families and caregivers of children ages birth to 12 years in identifying and accessing parent education, quality child care, and other programs. The Family Resource Specialist provides three (3) key services and responsibilities.

Child Care Referral Services

• Provide child care referral services to families by phone, virtually, or in person, utilizing the LOCATE software and database to identify and connect families with appropriate child care resources.
• Conduct education and guidance to families on selecting child care options, including information on child care resources and support programs such as Maryland EXCELS and the Maryland Child Care Scholarship Program.
• Contact families to determine outcomes of their child care searches (follow-ups).
• Documents all work and services utilizing the MCCRN Data System.

Parent Education

• Provide families with educational opportunities, parenting workshops, and community resources by providing information, referrals, and guidance designed to strengthen family engagement, enhance knowledge, skills, and support positive family outcomes.
• Educate and provide families with child care selection checklists, educational materials, and individualized guidance to assist in assessing program quality and making informed decisions regarding child care options.
• Aid in developing materials.
• Attend family focused events to distribute materials and publicize the Family Resource Specialist services.
• Be stationed at offsite locations to be accessible to parents monthly (e.g., Pediatrician Offices, Judy Centers, WIC Offices, Community Action Partnership Centers, etc.).

Navigation Services

• Assist families with completing and submitting the application for the Maryland Child Care Scholarship and provide referrals and resource navigation, for supportive services and early childhood programs, including WIC, SNAP, Pre-K Expansion Seats, Head Start, and Early Head Start.
• Connect families with community-based services using Maryland Essentials for Childhood and findhelp.org databases.
• Work with families by phone, virtually or in-person.
• Establish relationships with staff in local agencies and organizations to do a warm handoff for families.

Education

Associate’s degree in a related field (Early Childhood, Social Work, Human Services etc.) and 2 years’ experience in functions such as Family Navigator, Family Engagement, Child Care Resource and Referral or Human services. Bi-lingual applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

Experience

• Knowledge of Maryland child care regulations and practices, early childhood development and child care.
• Preferred two years child care experience.

Skills

• Strong verbal, writing, and organizational skills.
• Strong database skills and case management skills.
• Knowledge of Maryland child care delivery system.
• Ability to communicate effectively with parents, child care providers, peers and other professionals.
• Ability to represent BCCCRC as appropriate in the community.
• Knowledge of software operation including Microsoft Word, Canva, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Ability to work independently and travel throughout Baltimore City.

Work Environment

While normal business hours are 8:00 a.m./9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m./5:00 p.m. (depending on time of arrival), this position requires some evening and Saturday hours for outreach events and other department events. Work hours will be adjusted to maintain a 35-hour work week.