Director of Family and Community Engagement

About the Role

As the Director of Family & Community Engagement, you will oversee and coordinate programs that provide vital resources, supervision, and guidance to families and educators. You’ll play a leadership role in strengthening family engagement initiatives, ensuring staff and families have access to high-quality mental health and social service support. This position fosters strong community relationships, supervises key personnel, and implements best practices that create lasting impact.

• Lead the development and implementation of family and educator support programs in alignment with the YMCA’s mission and community needs.
• Establish and maintain strong community partnerships with organizations such as MSPCC, ARC, DMH, DPH, DCF, and other agencies to provide holistic support services.
• Oversee processes for identifying family needs, developing Individualized Family Plans, and coordinating family meetings with Supportive Case Managers.

• Supervise and provide clinical guidance to Supportive Case Managers and Family Engagement Specialists.
• Support YMCA staff in building strength-based relationships with families and accessing resources.

• Develop affiliations with mental health clinics and social service agencies to provide onsite, virtual, and home-based therapeutic support.
• Collaborate with local homeless shelters, EOHLC, DTA, and DCF to provide comprehensive family support services.
• Coordinate home visits, peer support groups, and parent/caregiver workshops through community partnerships.

• Ensure compliance with program regulations and industry best practices in family engagement and support.
• Work with the education department to ensure staff understand social-emotional development and trauma-informed care.

• Advocate for family needs by securing funding opportunities and developing key support resources.
• Strengthen inclusivity and cultural competency within YMCA programs.

• Professional Growth:
  Paid training, leadership development, and advancement opportunities across seven YMCA locations.
• Health Benefits:
  
  Comprehensive medical, dental, and employer-funded life insurance for full-time staff.
• Generous Time Off:
  Two weeks paid vacation, plus sick and personal time for full-time employees.
• Retirement Plan: 12% company contribution to your retirement fund (vested, no match required).
• Free Y Membership:
  Access to swim classes, fitness programs, and discounts on childcare, camp, and more!

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or a related field (LICSW, LMHC, or equivalent preferred).
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in family support services, social work, or mental health counseling.
• Experience in clinical supervision, program development, and community resource coordination.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, and crisis management skills.
• Fluency in Spanish is preferred.
• Excellent written and oral communication with the ability to relate effectively to and advocate for diverse groups of people from all social and economic backgrounds.

• Ability to travel between locations for community engagement and supervision.
• Occasional lifting of materials up to 20 lbs.
• Must be able to work flexible hours to meet program and family needs.
• Ability to stand or sit while maintaining alertness for several hours at a time.
• Position may require bending, leaning, kneeling, and walking.
• Ability to speak concisely and effectively communicate.

The YMCA is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religious creed, protected genetic information, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran's status.