POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Department of Early Childhood (DEC) is the lead education agency for Boston Universal Pre-K and partners with Community Based Organizations (CBOs) across the City. The goal of Boston Universal Pre-K is to ensure every three and four-year-old in Boston has access to high quality early education experiences that lay the foundation for their future learning and educational success. The city of Boston is committed to providing high quality, inclusive, culturally responsive early education to all children whether their families choose to send them to classrooms in Boston Public Schools or community-based organizations. Approximately 1500 UPK eligible three and four-year old children will be served through this mixed delivery system governed under the Mayor's Office and Boston Public Schools. There are 21 organizations spread across the Boston neighborhoods in 32 sites .

Goal of UPK Family Partners:
The goal of the family partner positions is to systematically provide families with the support of a person who shares their lived experience and can help families navigate the mental health and education systems. The UPK philosophy is that parents and caregivers are our students' first teacher. Therefore, UPK aims to support students by supporting their families.

Vision of UPK Family Partners:
This is an exciting opportunity for individuals who desire to serve where their efforts matter and use their own life experience to help other families. In BPS/UPK, the staff are committed to the vision of high expectations for achievement, equal access to high levels of instruction, the achievement of academic proficiency for all students, and the closing of the achievement gap among subgroups within the schools. BPS/UPK is a great place for those who seek to work in an environment that supports their creativity and innovation, and respects their skills and abilities as a family partner.

Day-to-Day Details:
The UPK family partners will travel and work in Boston Universal Pre-K community sites. Services may be provided remotely if access to community sites or homes is limited.
UPK is currently seeking applications for Family Partners that will:

1. Rapidly engage children, youth and families in need of treatment and services;
2. Work closely with the family members and other involved treatment and service providers to optimize care;
3. Utilize care coordination strategies and novel technologies to help identify, engage and match youth to mental health treatment and services; and
4. Work with children, youth and families over an extended period of time to ensure that therapeutic gains are maintained.
5. Partner with Early Learning Centers
6. Offer support to multi-stressed families including
   • Families with older children in the juvenile justice system
   • Families experiencing trauma
   • Families experiencing untreated adult mental health concerns
   • Families experiencing substance use disorders
   • Families with immigration concerns
7. Fit the model in the context of existing behavioral health, family engagement, and community based services at BPS
8. Prioritize an approach with sustainability in mind
9. Pilot the use of technology to connect families to the family partner (ie-apps)

Terms: Managerial, [B31].

The Boston Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, does not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, age, criminal record (inquiries only), disability, homelessness, sex/gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetics or military status, and does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals' dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.