The Community Support Coordinator will work with the local Safe Babies Court Team in Hudson, Passaic and Essex Counties to improve outcomes for infants and toddlers entering the foster care system. This is a leadership-level position.

This position requires office time based in Wayne, NJ and community/client facing time throughout the three counties served by the program.

The Community Support Coordinator facilitates coordination and collaboration among community stakeholders on the Safe Babies Court Team (SBCT), schedules meetings, keeps and disseminates minutes, and conducts follow-up activities related to SBCT goals. The Community Support Coordinator will act as a source of support for the family as they navigate this process. They will act as a bridge or navigator, assisting the parent in self-advocacy and connecting the child and parent with services in the community and members of the SBCT. Successful candidates for this position will have lived experience with the child welfare system, related systems and parenting supports.

Responsibilities

• Works with the judicial leadership to implement recommendations of SBCT.
• Provide emotional and logistical support for parents involved in the SBCT.
• Engage the parents and the parents’ supports in order to facilitate communication and support self-advocacy.
• Ensure the parents involved with the program are well-connected to community supports and services, locating a parent mentor with lived experience if needed.
• Maintain regular contact (both in person and remote) with both biological and resource (foster) families in each case.
• Coordinate and lead monthly Family Team Meetings for each family’s stakeholder team.
• Assesses community’s needs for training/technical assistance to meet goals of SBCT.
• Handle logistical arrangements for local training and work collaboratively with other organizations, including the in-state Court Team, to provide training and technical assistance regionally or statewide.
• Build a strong collaborative relationship with other Community Coordinators to ensure consistency in implementing the SBCT™ approach.
• Build a strong relationship with other stakeholders to facilitate the referral process and address individual case issues.
• Works with the judge and larger stakeholder group to implement the SBCT Core Components.
• Implements the Infant Toddler Court Team evaluation plan – collects data on SBCT cases and enters it into SBCT database or site/state-level database system
• Prepares any progress reports as required. Contributes to other reports as requested.
• Participates in monthly SBCT Site Leadership Team calls and other regular project conference calls.

Skills & Experience to be a Successful Candidate

• Deep knowledge of issues related to child abuse and neglect.
• Knowledge of local community resources, including early childcare and education, health, mental health, child welfare, early intervention, substance abuse, MICA, and behavioral health.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary group and lead a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Experience successfully serving as a neutral mediator/facilitator of high-conflict situations.
• Working knowledge of juvenile and family court functioning.
• Knowledge of intellectual disabilities and their impact on family functioning.
• Experience or education in infant/toddler social-emotional development or related field (psychology, social work).
• Facility working with people of diverse educational, professional, socioeconomic, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Ability to work effectively across agencies and disciplines.
• Experience working in and with the community and resources in the Northern NJ area.
• Minimum 5-years relevant work experience.

Additional Preferred Skills and Experience

• Knowledge of the impact of abuse and neglect on infant/toddler development.
• Professional or lived experience with foster care and the child welfare system.
• Professional or lived experience working with community resources and the local judicial system.
• Experience working with juvenile and family court judges.
• Prior experience implementing parent education or support programs for adults with mental health challenges or developmental disabilities.

Essential Qualities

• Encourages and practices critical thinking.
• Is self-reflective and empathic.
• Recognizes the influence of workplace relationships on outcomes and results.
• Maintains a respectful, collaborative, and accepting approach towards others.
• Awareness of the influence of society, childhood experiences and trauma on individual behavior.
• Collaboratively and creatively supports the work efforts of colleagues at all levels and in all areas of the organization.

Education

• Minimum undergraduate degree in child development, social work, or related field. Master’s degree preferred.

Extensive lived experience with local community resources and other aspects of the job, including lived experience with foster care, can substitute for educational experience.

Compensation

$55,000-$60,000/year starting salary full-time position based on experience and education. QSEHRA health care plan-$500/mo reimbursement, Matching 3% SIMPLE IRA, phone/internet use stipend, 10 paid sick days, generous paid vacation, and paid week off between Christmas and New Year. Paid maternity/paternity/adoption/foster care time, paid 1-month sabbatical after ten years of service.

Flexibility is required to participate in some evening and weekend activities.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $55,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• On call
• Weekends as needed

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Child welfare: 3 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Newark, NJ: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person