Metropolitan Family Services empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, since 1857, Metropolitan Family Services (MFS) has been the engine of change that empowers families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities. Metropolitan is Illinois’ first comprehensive human services agency and reaches more than 117,000 individuals and families in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs and DuPage County with services promoting education, economic stability, emotional wellness and empowerment.

Family Connects Chicago (FCC) Region F is defined by these zip codes: 60618, 60630, 60631, 60634, 60641, 60646, 60647, 60656, 60666, & 60707. The is the area the Family Connects Coordinator will focus his efforts in. Illinois Welcoming Center (IWC) to open to all Chicagoland as long as the immigrant prefers our North Center location.

Under general supervision of Program Supervisor.

We are now hiring for a full-time Family Connects & IWC Coordinator to join our North Team!

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

• Compile and gather available community data to inform initial assessment of the current maternal and child health service community landscape.
• In collaboration with the program supervisor and manager, develop stakeholders list for engagement in a regional Community Alignment Board (CAB). 
• In collaboration with the program supervisor and manager, determine CAB members’ roles and commitments. 
• In collaboration with the program supervisor and manager, develop CAB members’ recruitment materials.
• Engage, recruit, and onboard community stakeholders to be part of the regional CAB. 
• Build, expand, or maintain a neighborhood network that represents a broad range of stakeholders that will identify local resource gaps, challenges and opportunities. 
• Coordinate all activities, communication, outreach, and education in relation to the CAB. 
• Coordinate Family Connects activities, including those where MFS is a partner to community activities connecting our community to resources. 
• Support the Family Connects effort with data collection and assist with reporting and data sharing. 
• Coordinate and participate in meetings and support the work of Family Connects with community committees, volunteers, and partners to address resource gaps, and emerging needs of the community. 
• Facilitate communication between CDPH, home visiting team, community specialist and delegate agency staff. 
• Identify and link resources, lead coordination of resources with external partners to improve awareness of resources, improve referral process and resource access for community members. 
• Ensure that the organization meets all IL Welcoming Center outcomes as detailed in the contract with IDHS.
• Monitors that all services and assistance provided by staff is documented accurately in Case Mgmt database (i.e. charity tracker).
• Attends and participates on monthly meetings with other Illinois Welcoming Centers to share best practices and resources and address common challenges.
• Provide services, resources, referrals and support based on the individual needs of the families.
• Ensure all families receive referrals to needed services on a timely basis and follow up on referrals to ensure they are conducted/documented until competed.
• Must provide Domestic Violence services and/or referrals within 72 hours of initiating.
• Perform record keeping and other reporting functions as required by Illinois Department of Human Services.
• Be flexible with work hours and working on weekends, which includes going person-to-person, door-to-door, and collaboration with other partners. 
• Works effectively with diverse staff and service populations. Accountable for providing exceptional customer service.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma or equivalent,Bachelor’s preferred.
• 3-5 years of experience working with parent or family groups in a non-profit setting, 
• Applicants must reside, or have extensive (3 years) work/lived experience, in the Family Connects region F identified by the Chicago Department of Public Health, 
• Vehicle, valid driver’s license, and insurance- preferred
• Bilingual in Spanish or Polish, required
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating volunteers,
• Familiarity and an understanding of the Family Connects Model, and planning and executing community outreach and engagement activities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including written, social media, giving community presentations and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google tools.
• Punctual, reliable and dependable with the ability to work flexible hours (some evenings and weekends).
• Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups.
• Demonstrated experience working in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-starter that is detail-oriented and thinks creatively and strategically.
• Ability to produce high-quality work independently.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice, community empowerment, and advocacy.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

MFS staff are required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or have an approved Medical exemption prior to starting employment. If an approved Medical exemption is obtained, weekly testing is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand for sustained periods of time, frequently talk, hear, use hands and fingers to feel, handle and operate objects or controls, and occasionally stand, bend, stretch, stoop, kneel and crouch.
• The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing and viewing a computer terminal.
• The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

 SALARY:

• Compensation is commensurate with years of related experience, position requirements, and candidate qualifications. The average salary for the position is $46,000.

Metropolitan Family Services offers a very generous benefits packet to our professionals:

• Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medical Coverage: HMO, Traditional PPO, or PPO w/ HSA contributions.
• Dental and Vision Insurance Options
• 12 paid Holidays 
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 401K Plan
• Training and Professional Development Plan with E- Learning
• Wellness Initiative Program
• Employee Assistance Network