Job Opening at AOK!
Family Support Navigator:
AOK Resource & Support Hub
All Our Kids, Inc. is seeking a seasoned foster/adoptive parent who is passionate about supporting other foster/adoptive families in navigating the child welfare system.
AOK is a Western MA-based, grassroots, nonprofit organization committed to empowering foster and adoptive families to thrive by enriching community connectedness, providing education and resources, and helping the public understand and support our families’ experiences. Although AOK provides a range of supports and programming, the Resource and Support Hub is a new initiative with a focus on community partnerships, collaboration, and networking. The goal is to ensure families are able to access needed resources and supports in an effort to strengthen their capacity and efficacy as foster parents.
Position Overview
Reporting to the AOK Executive Director, the Family Support Navigator (FSN) is a 5-10 hr/week position for the AOK Resource & Support Hub. The FSN will take a lead role in collaborating with Coalition Partners, helping families navigate the Hub, and facilitate access to resources. As this is the first year of this new initiative, the FSN will help AOK build the online resource Hub by providing expertise via lived experience as a foster parent and advising the project. Once the Hub is up and running, the FSN will work largely independently, with supervision, to identify and make contact with target families, and manage the day-to-day operations of the Resource and Support Hub.
Responsibilities
- Manage the day-to-day operations of the Resource and Support Hub (RSH), including identifying and making contact with families in need of support and guidance.
- Communicate regularly with over a dozen representatives of partner agencies to collaborate in ensuring families are able to access needed resources and supports.
- Facilitate Welcome Sessions for recently-licensed foster parents.
- Meet regularly with members of the project team to review initiative progress and make adjustments to project workplans.
- Collect data from involved families to inform program evaluation efforts.
- Represent All Our Kids faithfully and professionally in all relevant interactions.
- Fulfill other program responsibilities as assigned by the AOK Executive Director.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have a minimum of three years’ experience as a foster parent (or previous foster parent) with the MA Department of Children and Families, a working understanding of navigating complex systems of care (child welfare, behavioral health, education, etc.), and familiarity with All Our Kids, Inc. Success in the position relies on a positive attitude, excellent communication skills, the ability to problem solve, an empathic demeanor, and healthy dose of humor.
The FSN must be able to work independently, triage families’ needs, and know when to elevate situations to a supervisor. Working knowledge of computer programs such as Word, Excel, and Zoom Video Conferencing is required.
Professional experience in Social Work or related field preferred, as is direct service experience with adults or families in need of support.
Compensation & Employment Conditions
This is a one-year, grant-funded position, with the possibility to renew dependent on subsequent funding. The employee will be paid a monthly stipend as an independent contractor, equivalent to approximately $30/hr. This monthly stipend is constrained by the program budget. The position comes with a flexible schedule and working environment, and no fringe benefits.
To apply: Email a cover letter and resume (in .docx or .pdf format) to AOK Executive Director, Marianna Litovich, at MLitovich@FosteringAOK.org. In your cover letter, please provide a synopsis of any relevant experience and your qualifications for the position.