HEA Family Engagement Specialist

Position Overview

The Family Engagement Specialist (FES) plays a vital role in coordinating efforts to gather family and community voices to inform systemic change. Working closely with the AOK Network Coordinator, the FES strengthens connections between families, community partners, and early childhood networks to address gaps, elevate lived experiences, and promote collaboration. By bridging families to comprehensive supports, the FES plays a vital role in enhancing outcomes for children and families while advancing equity and meaningful community involvement.

The FES will collaborate with families and community partners to improve and create policies, practices, and programs in the Adams County early childhood system.

• Assist the AOK Network Coordinator in developing and maintaining a community collaboration network.
• Support the facilitation of meetings, events, and initiatives to gather input from families and community stakeholders.
• Build relationships and serve as a bridge between families, community partners, and community networks to enhance communication, understanding, and collaboration
• Recruit, onboard, train and monitor Parent Ambassadors to support family engagement initiatives.
• Provide ongoing coaching, professional development opportunities, and other activities, such as community outreach, workshops, and resource sharing to Parent Ambassadors.
• Design and implement strategies to authentically engage families, ensuring their input informs program development and system change.
• Support families in understanding available resources and navigating services when needed.
• Assist the AOK Network Coordinator in building relationships and mobilizing partnerships to increase use of and community accessibility to a Centralized Referral System using IRIS, a web-based referral application
• Contribute to the planning and implementation of community assessments to identify gaps in services and resources.
• Work with the Network Coordinator to develop strategies that reflect the needs and priorities of families and the community.
• Attend statewide and regional meetings, as well as professional development opportunities, to stay updated on best practices in family and community engagement.

• Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Development, Family Support, Public Health, or related field preferred.
• Familiarity with early childhood development and the various sectors of the 0-5 service community (i.e., maternal and child health, early intervention, early care and education, mental health, prevention services)
• Exemplify empathy, compassion, understanding, and sensitivity
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations
• Ability to embrace organizational goals and work in a team‑oriented environment
• Ability to adhere to professional boundaries and confidentiality requirements
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Motivated self‑starter with ability to work autonomously
• Strong customer service, time management, and organizational skills

• Ability to travel locally, as needed.
• Flexibility to work evenings or weekends for community events as needed.