Regional Family Engagement Specialist: Southeast/Chattanooga Region

The Arc Tennessee

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Job Summary

STATEMENT OF JOB 

The Regional Family Engagement Specialist is responsible for implementing the Scope of Services of the Family Engagement Project in their region by partnering with local education agencies to support family engagement in special education. This will be a remote position with moderate travel requirements to local schools throughout the region and at a minimum, quarterly meetings and at least one annual conference in the greater Nashville area

Job Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND JOB DUTIES

General 

• Uphold the mission, positions, and values of The Arc Tennessee 
• Possess general knowledge of The Arc as a national, state, and local organization 
• Comply with fiscal, legal, and The Arc Tennessee requirements
• Role model behaviors that reflect trust, competence, vision, and inspiration
• Involve others in planning or problem-solving
• Expand and upgrade knowledge and skills through on-the-job, program-sponsored, or outside educational opportunities 
• Seek out opportunities that expand the scope of relevant projects offered by The Arc Tennessee 

Specific Job Duties 

• Collaborate with the Director of the Family Engagement Project and other employees of The Arc Tennessee to develop, implement, and oversee the continuous improvement of a strategic plan and other activities
• Collaborate with Family Engagement in Special Education team to develop resources and training materials
• Collaborate and partner with LEA Title I coordinators, special education supervisors, and family resource center directors to identify and address family engagement needs related to special education through the provision of training available to both families and LEA staff;
• Each Regional Family Engagement Specialist shall engage with 100% of Access for All Learning Network (MLN) LEAs within their assigned region to determine interest in receiving family engagement support and provide training as requested.
• Each Regional Family Engagement Specialist shall provide any training required by the State based on requests, monitoring results, or administrative complaints
• All training shall be preapproved through the appropriate channels          
• The Regional Family Engagement Specialist shall provide in-person LEA and/or regional training for educators to engage and empower families which incorporate interdisciplinary collaboration and coaching that shall include, but is not limited to:
  • Establishing trusting relationships with families
  • Engaging families in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting (e.g., before, during, after)
  • Increasing communication and reducing conflict
  • Parent and student participation in IEP meetings
• The Regional Family Engagement Specialist shall host a community conversation annually in their region of Tennessee focused on State/grantee-identified topics related to special education. The Regional Family Engagement Specialist shall:
  • Provide location, equipment, materials, and refreshments;
  • Announce community conversations one month prior to the scheduled date;
  • Create an invitation list and recruit participants from each region including students, educators, community members, school board members, and business leaders; and
  • Provide summarized information to the State regarding major themes noted through these conversations.
• Host an annual family engagement conference and establish regional communities of practice in your designated CORE region for educators and practitioners to engage in regular opportunities to increase knowledge and capacity to support the families of students with disabilities in their schools. At a minimum, the regional family engagement specialist shall provide 2-3 times per year, per region and facilitate the following activities:
• Professional learning opportunities (topic-specific training, guest speakers, etc.);
• Problems of practice;
• Creation and sharing of resources and materials; and
• Development of professional networking systems.
• Collect, compile, and analyze survey data for each training presented and provide results to the Family Engagement Communications Specialist within seven days of the training event
• Organize events to increase access to school programs and family engagement in special education for families of children with disabilities as requested by TDOE, Districts, or the Program Director
• The Regional Family Engagement Specialist shall establish regional networks for advocacy and disability groups with similar interests related to special education, hosting events throughout the school year (a minimum of twice a year) to engage in open and informal dialogue related to areas of interest.
• Information gained through these events shall be compiled and provided to the State; and
• The Regional Family Engagement Specialist, via the project director, shall inform the State of scheduled events, locations, dates/times a minimum of one month prior to the event so that State staff may attend when available and disseminate information to LEAs.
• Distribute (The Arc Tennessee) approved special education and disability-related resources and materials
• Contribute to and help distribute an electronic newsletter, website content, and social media content  
• Support families in getting needed resources including making referrals, and sharing resources and information 
• Distribute the Family Engagement Family Survey and promote family participation
• Participate in meetings as required, including quarterly professional development meetings
• Support other activities of The Arc Tennessee such as family meetings, board committees, conferences, resource fairs, community networking opportunities, etc. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

Reporting 

• Complete weekly work plan 
• Complete all reports as required  
• Survey data shall be collected, compiled, analyzed for each training, and provided to the State upon request

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Preference is given to applicants who have a degree in education or experience working with children with disabilities in an educational setting and/or a personal connection with the disability community
• Passion for helping students with disabilities and families succeed
• Comfortable speaking in front of small and large groups including providing professional development to educators
• Excellent presentation skills
• Ability to work independently on a variety of projects
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 
• Team player with flexibility and initiative
• Computer literate using Microsoft Office Suite Software
• Reliable transportation

Additional Information

Benefits

How to Apply

Apply via email including cover letter and resume to Ingrid Moody at imoody@thearctn.org.

Details

• Date Posted: December 7, 2023
• Type: Full-Time
• Job Function: Other
• Service Area: Education
• Salary Range: $45,000-$55,000
• Working Hours: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. with flexibility