24-25 - Kennedy - Family Liaison - .938 FTE (37.5 hpw)

Kennedy Elementary

24.30 - 24.30

Purpose of Position

The Family Liaisons work to meaningfully strengthen the connection between school, home, and community. Family Liaisons at Full Service Community Schools will work collaboratively with the Community Schools Resource Coordinator to ensure that families are represented in decision-making and are aware of the partnerships and opportunities available through the school. Family Liaisons at all sites will increase access and linkages to resources and opportunities found in the community. They prioritize efforts that increase student attendance by working in partnership with families and school staff to provide resources and developing and implementing strategies to increase attendance. Family Liaisons collaborate with the Community School Resource Coordinator and other school staff to recruit and coordinate school volunteer opportunities.

Reporting

Principal

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Work Collaboratively with School Staff

• Work with Student Services staff and Bi-lingual staff to identify and work directly with individual families who may be in need of more support. When appropriate, manage a small caseload of higher-need students/families, not to exceed 5 students per semester.
• Work directly with School Student Support Teams, School Parent Support Teams, MSCR and the School PTO/PTA to promote diverse parent representation and involvement.

Work Directly with Families

• Act as an advocate for parents to ensure parent voices are heard and valued throughout decision making.
• Meet with parents and Principal regarding concerns or complaints and work with school staff and parents toward resolution of the issue.
• Conduct home visits, including but not limited to accompanying the School Social Worker on home visits when needed.
• Attends school based evening events that the FamilyParent Liaison has been directly involved in planning or is needed for effective partnership with families. Attendance at PTO/PTA should be discussed with the Principal.
• Provide transportation for families through allocated funds for bus tickets / taxi cab. Transportation of students/families in personal vehicles may only be done in accordance with school district policy.

Promote communication with families and community

• Write articles for the parent newsletter. Prepare presentations for the staff. Interact with media and community leaders with approval of the Principal.

Family Youth and Community Engagement Responsibilities

• Serve as a co-lead with the IRT, Librarian or other designated staff for Read Your Heart Out. The FamilyParent Liaison will participate in the school committee, identify dates and resources needed to execute the program, solicit volunteer/community speakers, greet families and design appropriate recognition for families and volunteers. Work collaboratively with other FamilyParent Liaisons in the other elementary schools to engage in the development of Read Your Heart Out as a strategic way to address literacy and family engagement across the district.
• Attend professional learning and meetings offered by FYCE and/or Community Schools leaders to promote effective strategies aligned to the FACE standards such as:

• Submit payroll and appropriate expense documentation to the FYCE Clerical Assistant in a timely fashion. Manage FYCE budget funds and share with the Principal any updates on what funds are available for school activities.

• Bring key learnings on effective family engagement practices back to school to share for professional learning opportunities.

• Fosters strong school/community relations by keeping the community aware of and responsive to school programs

They will have four (4) priority workstreams:

• Attendance Support - As their attendance area allows, they will coordinate attendance initiviatives, support the PTO and Neighborhood Associations, area businesses/nonprofits, etc. to promote daily attendance and safe transitions from home to school, and back. They will also support enrollment efforts at the beginning of the school year and summer semester enrollment efforts in the spring by personally contacting families and sharing important deadlines, forms, and relevant events. They will also support intensive attendance initiatives during annual assessment weeks.

• Family Empowerment - They will coordinate Family Empowerment Groups in order to lift caregiver voice and enhance community, especially for families who are less familiar with our district’s and school’s systems. Parent-Teacher Conferences are additional events they will prioritize support. Home visits and contacts should be regular and integral to not only support attendance efforts but ensure families stay informed about resources and opportunities, and for the school to stay informed about family experiences, strengths, and support opportunities. They will also support the annual Read Your Heart Out event at their school, in celebration of National African American Parent Involvement Day. They are encouraged to participate in Neighborhood Resource Team meetings run by the City of Madison, if their attendance areas have one. Collaborate with nearby neighborhood centers or community centers to promote program participation and enhance awareness of other services they provide. Facilitate resourcing of families and caregivers regarding school identity, priorities, opportunities, and its systems.

• Volunteer Recruitment - Parents, caregivers, neighborhood associations, nonprofits, faith communities, and others will be recruited for strategic volunteer opportunities in the school.

• Family Orientations - They will support the Principal or their designee in creating a system and resources to welcome new enrollees/transfers to their school and neighborhood community. They will work with the social worker or other designee to present resources available to families.

In addition to these four priority workstreams, the Family Liaison:

• May participate in school-based leadership teams, or other similar leadership teams or committees that support the school’s SIP goals.

• Will attend all professional learning and meetings offered by the Department of Engagement, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (EDEI) and/or Family, Youth, Community Engagement (FYCE) Coordinator

• Be eligible for the District’s relevant Grow Your Own programs

Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities to perform essential job functions

• High School diploma or equivalent

• Demonstrated successful experience building positive community relationships

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Excellent organizational skills

• Demonstrated interpersonal and problem solving skills to include conflict resolution and mediation

• Proficiency with Google Suite or Microsoft Office applications

• Experience living and working with populations of diverse racial, gender, economic, and linguistic backgrounds

• Willingness to learn District technology tools for reporting and monitoring student progress

Working Conditions

Some regular evening and occasional weekend work is required.

Environmental Adaptability

Ability to work under general safe and comfortable conditions where exposure to environmental factors is minimal and poses little to no risk of injury.

The Madison Metropolitan School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourage both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.