FAMILY SUPPORT COORDINATOR

JOB SUMMARY:

The Family Support Coordinator is responsible for coordinating family support services, facilitating access to community resources, and strengthening family engagement across Hopkins House programs, with particular emphasis on families enrolled in the Hopkins House Preschool Academy.

The Coordinator serves as a primary point of contact for families seeking assistance with childcare subsidies, tuition assistance, healthcare, housing, employment, education, and other essential services. Working collaboratively with Preschool Academy administrators, educators, community organizations, and public agencies, the Coordinator identifies family needs, facilitates referrals, monitors service connections, and helps families navigate available resources.

The position also coordinates Hopkins House scholarship and financial assistance application processes, supports parent engagement activities, and maintains accurate records of family support services and outcomes.

The position emphasizes service coordination, family engagement, resource navigation, and administrative support, rather than clinical counseling or direct therapeutic services.

The Family Support Coordinator does not independently provide clinical counseling, mental health treatment, diagnostic assessments, or specialized therapeutic interventions. Families requiring such services will be referred to appropriately qualified and licensed professionals.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Family Intake and Resource Coordination

1. Coordinates the family intake and orientation process, helping families identify needs, interests, strengths, and available support resources.
2. Serves as a point of contact for families requesting assistance with financial challenges, childcare, housing, food insecurity, employment, healthcare, transportation, and other needs.
3. Maintains current information about public assistance programs, nonprofit organizations, and community resources serving families in Northern Virginia.
4. Facilitates referrals to appropriate government agencies, healthcare providers, social service organizations, and community-based programs.
5. Assists families in understanding eligibility requirements, completing applications, and accessing public benefits and community services.
6. Coordinates transportation assistance and other logistical arrangements when appropriate and authorized.
7. Follows up with families and service providers to monitor referrals, identify barriers, and facilitate access to needed services.
8. Coordinates with qualified social workers, counselors, and other professionals when families require specialized assessments, counseling, or intervention services.

Preschool Academy Family Support

1. Coordinates family support services for Young Scholars enrolled in the Hopkins House Preschool Academy.
2. Assists families to complete the Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) to help identify developmental delays early so families and professionals can plan next steps.
3. Collaborates with Academy Principals, educators, and administrators to identify families who may benefit from additional support.
4. Assists families in navigating childcare subsidy programs, including applications, renewals, eligibility documentation, and communication with administering agencies.
5. Coordinates referrals for developmental, hearing, vision, dental, and other screenings, as appropriate.
6. Helps families connect with early intervention, special education, Child Find, Parent Infant Education (PIE), and other appropriate services.
7. Assists families in understanding and accessing services identified through Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or other professional recommendations, without independently developing clinical or educational treatment plans.
8. Coordinates parent conferences, educational workshops, family engagement events, and other activities designed to strengthen family participation in their children's education.
9. Facilitates communication among families, Academy personnel, and outside service providers, consistent with confidentiality requirements and parental authorizations.
10. Coordinates home visits or family meetings when appropriate, approved by management, and conducted in accordance with organizational procedures.
11. Supports implementation of Hopkins House policies concerning family engagement, child welfare, and behavior guidance.

Scholarship and Financial Assistance Coordination

1. Coordinates the application and administrative review processes for Hopkins House financial assistance and scholarship programs, including:
   • Preschool Academy Family Tuition Assistance Program.
   • Jasper-Johnson STEM College Scholarship.
   • Elward J. Alexander Memorial Gift.
     
2. Provides applicants with information about program eligibility, application requirements, deadlines, and supporting documentation.
3. Reviews applications for completeness and coordinates requests for missing or additional information.
4. Organizes application materials and prepares summaries for consideration by appropriate management personnel and Trustee committees.
5. Coordinates communications with applicants concerning application status and decisions made by authorized individuals or committees.
6. Maintains confidential scholarship and financial assistance records.
7. Compiles data on applications, awards, recipients, and program outcomes for management and Trustee reports.

Family Engagement and Community Partnerships

1. Coordinates parent education programs, workshops, family meetings, and other engagement activities.
2. Assists Academy administrators and Parents' Councils in organizing family activities and promoting parent participation.
3. Develops and maintains working relationships with local government agencies, community service organizations, healthcare providers, and other family support resources.
4. Participates in community meetings and collaborative initiatives related to family services, childcare, and early childhood education, as assigned.
5. Helps develop and distribute informational materials concerning available services, assistance programs, and family engagement opportunities.
6. Supports culturally responsive and inclusive communication with families from diverse backgrounds.

Records, Reporting, and Administrative Coordination

1. Maintains accurate, timely, and confidential records of family contacts, assistance requests, referrals, and follow-up activities.
2. Collects and compiles data concerning family support services, referral outcomes, scholarship applications, and family engagement activities.
3. Prepares periodic activity reports for management, grant reporting, and government program assessments.
4. Coordinates administrative materials and reports for designated Trustee committees, including the Scholarships & Recognitions Committee and Programs & Assessment Committee.
5. Attends designated staff meetings, professional development activities, and relevant community partnership meetings.
6. Complies with applicable laws, regulations, and Hopkins House policies concerning confidentiality, child protection, mandated reporting, and records management.
7. Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT:

High school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate plus some college experience in related field, i.e., counseling or social work, required.

An associate degree, professional certificate, or completed coursework in human services, social work, early childhood education, family studies, community services, or a related field is preferred but not required.

Relevant professional experience, demonstrated knowledge of community resources, and applicable training may substitute for postsecondary education.

YEARS OF RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE:

At least two (2) years of relevant experience in family services, childcare, community outreach, customer service, nonprofit program administration, public benefits assistance, or a related field preferred.

Candidates with substantial relevant experience, demonstrated organizational skills, and knowledge of Northern Virginia community resources may be considered without postsecondary education.

A professional social work or counseling license is not required.

OTHER RELATED REQUIREMENTS:

• Strong organizational, interpersonal, written communication, and customer service skills.
• Ability to coordinate multiple activities, manage deadlines, and maintain accurate records.
• Ability to communicate respectfully and effectively with families from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Basic proficiency with computers, email, word processing, spreadsheets, and electronic recordkeeping.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive family information.
• Familiarity with Northern Virginia public assistance programs, childcare subsidies, and community resources preferred.
• Fluency in English required. Proficiency in Spanish, Arabic, Amharic, Urdu, Twi, Farsi, and/or Dari preferred but not required.
• Ability to travel among Hopkins House campuses and community partner locations, as needed.
• Availability for occasional evening or weekend family engagement activities, with advance notice.
• Ability to satisfy applicable background screening and child protection requirements.

BENEFITS:

Hopkins House offers a wide range of generous employee benefits, including paid time off (i.e., sick, vacation, family leave, etc.), paid holidays, health and dental coverage, and childcare tuition discounts.