Role: Community Coordinator for First4ME-LA
Across Lewiston-Auburn, individuals and organizations have come together to transform the early childhood ecosystem (birth to age 5) by working together as the First4ME - LA coalition. The coalition’s vision is: All children and families in Lewiston-Auburn have equitable access and participate in supportive and high quality early education.
First4ME Early Care and Education is a two-generation framework for a comprehensive and coordinated birth to kindergarten-entry program which provides quality early care to support a child’s school readiness. With families as partners, childcare providers and public PreK educators will work together with children using a holistic approach that supports all areas of the child’s development.
The Coalition is hiring two positions: A Community Coordinator and a Family Advocate (see separate job posting).
First4ME-LA Community Coordinator:
This person will work for the F4ME-LA Coalition, along with a Family Advocate and Childcare Coaches to improve children’s social, emotional, educational, and health outcomes. To support these efforts, the First4ME Community Coordinator will focus on intensive support to child care providers (CCPs) in goal setting and data collection to ensure high-quality programming. Also, this person will communicate the goals of F4ME which will help to develop partnerships between families, CCPs, and SAU PreK staff, while creating important community connections.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Support F4ME Child Care providers (CCPs) in achieving their goals and collecting that data, along with helping to coordinate the scheduling and meeting of CCPs with Coaches and SAU staff.
- Work with the Family Advocate to ensure consistency between a child’s home and their provider location, with open communication established to assist family in taking part in decision making, including involvement with screenings, assessments, and their child’s learning environment.
- Promote protective factors to prevent child abuse and neglect; as a mandated reporter, identifies and refers families to the Department of Health and Human Services Child Protection Services as needed.
- Plan agendas, share data and actively participate in the F4ME Coalition with the varied membership that represents the local community and head-up the committees needed to support the F4ME work.
- Collaborate with Community Contractor as needed to support community and community-at-large communication and data sharing.
- Support meaningful and intentional transitions for children and families into, within and outside of provider locations, including intentional outreach to public schools to coordinate successful transitions to preschool and/or kindergarten, and the development of a Kindergarten Entry Assessment (KEA).
- Work closely with the state’s Program Specialist and Program Manager as they monitor and oversee compliance toward First4ME goals, objectives and outcomes.
- Work with the F4ME evaluator to coordinate schedules with providers for on-site observations, and support usage of data gathered to inform provider, child or family goal setting and practices.
- Work with local service providers to coordinate needed services to providers, families, and children.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
- Must have a minimum of a CDA or training in Early Childhood Education or a related field with coursework and experience in early childhood development, preferably with cross training and /or experience in Human/Family/Social Services, as well as experience in grant management.
- Must demonstrate strong skills in: interpersonal work across cultures, written and verbal communication, data collection appropriate to the language spoken, documentation, critical thinking, and computer proficiency
- Must possess a valid driver’s license and have use of a vehicle insured to State of Maine requirements, have the ability to travel within multiple counties, and adjust to flexible schedule
- Must be able to meet requirements of agency & State Child Care Licensing regulations for background checks and physical exams
GENERAL EXPECTATIONS
- Be committed to the First4ME mission and goals.
- Adhere to all program policies and procedures, including maintaining strict confidentiality
of internal and external participant information.
- Exhibit a positive, professional, collaborative approach in all internal and external
connections, including maintaining a professional appearance and communication, both
written and verbal.
- Be punctual for scheduled work and use time appropriately.
- Follow accepted safety practices when performing all tasks and never work in a way that
compromises his/her safety or that of clients or co-workers.
- Perform other reasonably related job duties as assigned, including physical demands.
SPECIFICS
This is a 3 year, grant funded, full time, exempt position. The salary is $67,500 with benefits. Travel within the community is required. Attendance at monthly F4ME Coalition meetings and committee meetings is mandatory. Background check and fingerprinting is required before position commences. Ideal start date is early December, 2023.
TO APPLY
Include cover letter, resume, contact info for 3 references. For questions, please contact Karen White - kwhite@cmcc.edu
***Applications close Nov 10.***