Family Enrichment Program Assistant

Position: Family Enrichment Assistant

Supervisor: Family Enrichment Coordinator and Program Director

Overview: The Ingersoll Family Enrichment Programs offer an array of supportive services to families with young children living in Ingersoll and Whitman Houses and the surrounding community in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. Services include The Parent-Child Home Program, a parent support, attachment-enhancing, and early literacy program serving families with 2-4 year olds, and innovative and holistic approaches to well-being and community building, which may include Play With Me!, dyadic parent-child play and music groups, yoga, infant massage, music, nutrition, and other family group activities. Our emphasis is on supporting parents in their role as their child's first and most important teachers and role models, partnering with families in playful activities that will improve child development outcomes and school readiness while enhancing parental well-being, and building a mutually supportive community of parents in the neighborhood. The Family Enrichment Assistant is responsible for maintaining regular and sustainable supportive relationships with families via home based services and family group activities, trips, and special events. Preference will be given to residents of Ingersoll and/or Whitman Houses.

Responsibilities: •Visit assigned families twice weekly for at least 30 minutes •Collaborate with others in developing and facilitating family and community-building activities, including an array of center-based classes and groups, parties, trips, etc. • Use books, toys and activities to model verbal interaction and non-verbal communication with young children • Partner with parents in play with their young children, both at their homes and in the center • Attend weekly staff meetings and/or group supervision • Participate in ongoing supervision, training, and professional development both on and off-site • Work collaboratively with community resources and advocate for families when necessary • Create an atmosphere in which parents feels comfortable participating • Respect the role of parents as their children's first and most important teacher • Understand and appreciate the centrality of relationships in child development and service to families • Actively engage in thoughtful, reflective supervision on a weekly basis to increase awareness of self and families, and to enhance and improve service delivery • Respect the privacy of all family participants, and adhere to program and agency policies regarding confidentiality • Model appropriate behavioral expectations of young children at various ages • Assist in community outreach • Keep paperwork up-to-date and organized, and submits reports and timesheets on time • Complete other duties as assigned by Program Coordinator or Program Director

Qualifications: • High School diploma or GED required • Some experience with and strong commitment to young children and their families required (this may include one's own children) • Commitment to community and strengths-based work, and commitment to ongoing professional development • Sensitivity to the needs of culturally diverse communities and families; ability to maintain a non-judgmental attitude • Capacity to foster a supportive environment for families, and function effectively during stressful situations • Ability to work independently and responsibly • Capacity to function as a member of an interdisciplinary team, showing support to other program staff • Must be willing to travel within the city via public transportation, and to conduct home visits

Hours: 35 hrs per week with at least 2 evenings required

Salary: Mid to high 20s, plus generous benefits package

University Settlement is an Equal Opportunity Employer

MORE / LESSHOW TO APPLY
Contact: Please email or send cover letter and resume to: Emily Mann, Program Director Family Enrichment Programs University Settlement Society of New York 184 Eldridge Street New York, NY 10002 FESjobs@universitysettlement.org (No telephone inquiries please)