Tucson - Early Childhood Education Family Liaison

Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest is a non-profit organization with Corporate Offices in Phoenix and Tucson and additional offices throughout Arizona.

Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest administers programs and services to help build collaborative Community Partnerships and strengthen individuals, families, and communities.

Working for our organization is a positive, challenging and rewarding experience with opportunities for personal and professional development.

Exempt : Non-Exempt

Base Wage : $21.50 per hour

Reports to : Program Supervisor

Department : Refugee and Immigration Services

Program : Refugee and Immigration

Location : Tucson, Arizona

Position Type : Regular

Date Reviewed : March 2024

General Description :

The role of the Early Childhood Education Family Support Liaison is pivotal in ensuring the

successful integration of refugee families into the U.S. education system through the Refugee

School Impact (RSI) Program. Working in close collaboration with early childhood education

programs, school districts, community partners, and program coordinators, the Early Childhood

Education Family Support Liaison focuses on providing essential guidance and support to

refugee families as they navigate the early childhood education system along with providing

parents the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to support their child / children's development

from birth to five. By facilitating language access, cultural orientation, and connection to

available resources, this role plays a vital part in helping families feel welcome and empowered

in their new community. The Early Childhood Education Family Support Liaison acts as a bridge

between families and the early childhood education system, contributing to the enrichment of

lives and the promotion of successful integration for refugees seeking educational opportunities

in the United States. The Early Childhood Education Family Support Liaison will model the

LSS-SW shared values for staff, volunteers, and the community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following :

WEIGHT

DESCRIPTION

Program Coordination :

1. Collaborate with the Education Coordinator and other stakeholders to develop

and implement specialized support initiatives for eligible refugee children and

families, including but not limited to English language training classes, early

childhood education support, child development supports, and cultural

orientation.

2. Act as a primary point of contact for refugee families, providing culturally

sensitive guidance and assistance in navigating school-specific orientations,

language access support, and available community resources.

3. Plan and implement monthly center-based parenting activities and parent

education. Coordinate space with community partners for center-based

activities. Support material management, organization, and distribution of

monthly activity materials from the offsite storage to centers and community

locations. Present and role model a professional attitude, greeting families upon

arrival at the center, respecting cultural and ethnic differences and always

wearing professional attire.

4. Work closely with early childhood support systems to enhance their capacity in

addressing the unique needs of refugee families. Provide education and training

for early childhood education staff to ensure effective communication and

support mechanisms.

5. Work to connect families to the public school system early childhood education

services to provide assessment of children to assure children are school ready.

6. Work with families to learn how to advocate for their children in the education

system as their child's first teachers.

Data Entry :

1. Ensure all services rendered through RSI funding are accurately documented in

the ARRPODS data system or other specified methods. Collect and report

required data to meet federal reporting requirements and program metrics.

2. Collect and maintain secure case files in accordance with documentation

standards and requirements. Duties may include but are not limited to entering

attendance, family intake, family screenings, family referrals and follow up,

action plans and case notes in the ARRPODS.

Outreach / Community Collaboration :

1. Collaborate with Education Coordinator, early childhood education providers,

and community organizations to identify and address the needs of refugee

families, fostering a supportive and inclusive educational environment.

2. Participate in Development and Implementation of Regional Outreach Plan.

Duties may include but are not limited to : Establishing and maintaining

relationships with other community agencies and stakeholders to share

information about the LSS-SW programs.

Extra duties as assigned :

1. Maintain an established work schedule, including a high level of self-direction

and responsibility. May include State and National travel.

2. Follow internal protocol immediately regarding safety, health, and the

environment of the member and employee workspace and workplace

equipment.

3. Maintain status for professional credentials.

4. Present a professional attitude and always wear professional attire.

All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications :

To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty

satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or

ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with

disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Bachelor's degree in early childhood education, social services, behavioral health or a closely

related field and two years relevant work experience is preferred. Four years in family

support, social services or early childhood and / or training; equivalent combination of

education and experience may substitute for a bachelor's degree.

• Experience and comfort working with young children birth to 5
• Knowledge of human service systems and resources.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Provide and maintain a current certification in First Aid and CPR.
• Provide and maintain a current Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card, clear the Department

of Economic Security Central Registry Background Check and a criminal background and

motor vehicle screening; must maintain valid AZ Driver's License, a clear driving record and

reliable transportation for the duration of employment.

• Must have a clear driving record for at least 36 months.
• Must maintain a clear driving record during the time of employment.
• Must have reliable transportation, a valid AZ driver license and current automobile

insurance.

• Ability to work independently with high initiative.
• Ability to travel throughout the state or nationally as requested by supervisor.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

Proficient computer skills and knowledge of Outlook and Microsoft Office Programs (i.e.

Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• Skills in English / Spanish composition, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations.
• Ability to relate well with families of varied lifestyles, backgrounds and ethnicities.
• Experience in cultural diversity.
• Ability to assess family's strengths and weaknesses.
• Ability to recognize signs of abuse / neglect.
• Ability to participate as a member of a team, including collaboration, cross-training, and

mutual assistance.

Participate in ongoing Professional Development Training. Training must be relevant to

position.

• Ability to work independently with high initiative.
• Ability to travel throughout the state and provide own transportation as requested by the

Supervisor.

Language Skills :

Ability to communicate clearly. Ability to listen and perceive need. Ability to work with people

from diverse backgrounds non-judgmentally. Ability to effectively present and represent LSSSW and the program's needs to religious and community groups as well as others in the social

services community. Fluent in English, both spoken and written; bilingual ability in one of the

predominant languages of the local client base is preferred.

Mathematical Skills :

Good ability to calculate figures.

Reasoning Abilities :

Ability to define problems, collect data, evaluate information, draw conclusions, and take

appropriate action based on this information. Ability and confidence to make decisions when

appropriate and when to solicit guidance from the Program Manager.

Physical Demands / Work Environment :

The physical demands and work environment characteristics here are representative of those that

must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the

essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to sit or stand for

long periods of time.

The employee frequently is required to use hands to hold objects and operate office

equipment.

• The employee is required to be able to listen and communicate effectively.
• The employee may be required to occasionally lift and / or move up to 25 pounds.
• The noise level in the work environment varies with the activity level of the facility.
• Maintain valid AZ Driver License, vehicle insurance and reliable transportation.
• Ability to work within the mission of LSS-SW.

All positions at Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest require a background check.

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