Family Services & Behavioral Support Specialist (Lawrence, MA)

Clarendon Early Education Services, Inc. is a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to helping children and families access high-quality, culturally responsive, and affordable early education and care. We also support Family Child Care educators with the resources, professional development, and services they need to create nurturing environments where children can learn and grow.

We are seeking a compassionate and resourceful Family Services & Behavioral Support Specialist to help families navigate challenges, access critical resources, and support the behavioral and social-emotional needs of children. This role will also manage and provide leadership to a Family-Focused Team of 2–3 Specialists. We welcome candidates with backgrounds in social work, family services, behavioral health, counseling, human services, early childhood education, case management, or other child- and family-serving fields. Clinical or social work licensure is welcomed but not required.

What You’ll Do

In this role, you will build manage the Family Focused Team to build trusted relationships with families and educators while helping connect them with the services, resources, and support they need. Responsibilities include:

• Provide individualized support and resource coordination for children, families, and Family Child Care educators.
• Partner with families experiencing challenging circumstances such as housing instability, domestic violence, behavioral or mental health concerns, substance use, financial hardship, or other family stressors.
• Provide case management, family support, resource navigation, referrals, and follow-up.
• Help families access Early Intervention, behavioral health, early learning, Family Child Care, school-age, and other community-based services.
• Support educators and families in addressing children's social-emotional development and behavioral needs.
• Provide consultation to Family Child Care educators and staff regarding family circumstances, behavioral concerns, and strategies for supporting children in care.
• Build and maintain relationships with community agencies, behavioral health providers, family-serving organizations, and other partners.
• Participate in case management and multidisciplinary meetings involving individual children and families as appropriate.
• Develop or facilitate support groups, reflective communities of practice, trainings, or other learning opportunities for educators, families, and staff.
• Respond effectively to urgent family situations and help coordinate appropriate services and resources.
• Maintain accurate and timely case notes, contact logs, referrals, follow-up documentation, and required reports.
• Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries when working with children, families, educators, and staff.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Who We’re Looking For

We are looking for someone who combines compassion with strong judgment, communication, and problem-solving skills. You should be comfortable working independently while also collaborating closely with families, educators, colleagues, and community partners.

Ideal candidates will have:

• A Bachelor's or Master's degree in social work, human services, counseling, psychology, behavioral health, child development, early childhood education, family studies, or a related field preferred. Relevant professional experience will also be considered.
• Minimum of 2–3 years of experience in a management, supervisory, or team leadership role, with demonstrated ability to support, guide, and develop staff.
• Experience working with children and families in family services, behavioral health, social services, early childhood education, community-based programs, education, or a related setting.
• Experience with case management, family support, behavioral support, crisis intervention, community outreach, or resource navigation.
• Knowledge of community resources and systems serving children and families.
• The ability to approach families with empathy, respect, cultural responsiveness, and a strengths-based perspective.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trusting relationships with families and professionals.
• Excellent organizational, oral, and written communication skills.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, community-based environment.
• Strong documentation and basic computer/data management skills.
• The ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain confidentiality.
• A valid driver's license and ability to travel as needed.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills are strongly preferred.

Why Join Clarendon?

If you are a compassionate professional who believes in meeting families where they are, connecting people with meaningful support, and helping children succeed, we would love to hear from you.

We Offer:

• 2 weeks of Paid Time Off
• 8 Sick/Personal Days
• 17 Paid Holidays
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) and Roth Retirement Options
• Company-Paid Life Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Career Advancement and Professional Development Opportunities
• A Family-Focused Workplace That Supports Work-Life Balance

Apply today and bring your experience, perspective, and commitment to children and families to the Clarendon team.