Starting Salary Range: $38,000 - $43,500

Agape has a current opening for a STARS Connector. As a poverty-reduction initiative, Agape, through its place-based strategy, Powerlines Community Network (PCN), implements a Two-Generation paradigm. The Stars Connector works within an identified school, following a caseload of students. The Stars Connector provides meaningful interventions for caseload students that address their reasons for referral as well as their defined goals. The Stars Connector will build relationships with the students on their caseload, their students' parents or guardians, the school faculty and administration, and the community. The Stars Connector is responsible for assessing the student and their family's needs to design interventions that are both meaningful and appropriate, provide trauma-informed and resilience-building services, and to input relevant data and case notes into Penelope daily. Stars Connectors are responsible for facilitating efforts to address the health and welfare of children and families served, appropriately addressing needs, i.e., medical, health, spiritual, emotional, social, employment, educational/training, etc.

Additionally, the Stars Connector should have excellent interpersonal skills and knowledge of social services systems. The Stars Connector needs to have strong organization and time management skills They must possess the ability to work well independently as well as part of a team; work in partnerships and relationships with key community leaders, supporters, and advocates.

Connectors ensure program quality, transparency, and accurate reporting.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Conduct and update individual/family needs assessment with each family's participation to develop an individualized service plan for youth and family involved, noting needed, desired, and requested services and resources
• Provide two-generational, family-driven, and strength-based services to youth and families who require particular resources and assistance.
• Focus on specific programmatic obligations, goals, and objectives, align with voice and choice of families (social and economic goals).
• Facilitate the connection and engagement of two-generational families to services needed, i.e. educational, mental health, substance abuse, workforce development, parenting/relational health (mentoring, gang resistance), homelessness, exposure to violence services, and other services provided through community agencies and resources.
• Arrange, coordinate, and monitor services related to meeting the needs of program participants to ensure stability and individual/family goal attainment as related to:

• Improving attendance.
• Improving behavior.
• Improving parental engagement in school and students' academic pursuits.
• Dealing with family crises as they arise.

• Coordinate events and activities onsite for program participants to encourage stability and individual/family goal attainment.
• Work in partnership with all departments and other agencies involved and through the Powerlines Community Network, led by Agape Child & Family Services.
• Maintain current and accurate documentation of services provided to youth and families based on various requirements and provide necessary data to Agape and partnering agencies, if agreed upon, for input into the appropriate data systems.
• Agape is a data-informed agency. The Stars Connector must accurately record data based on program standards and use data for continuous quality improvement for both school-based and site-based programs.
• Must be able to work with a flexible schedule, which would allow for needed interaction and involvement for the tasks of this position i.e. weekend and evening hours, etc.
• During the summer, when school is not in session, the Stars Connector will work to support Agapes summer camp initiatives as well as maintain contact with their caseload students and their families.
• Complete internal reports and provide information concerning stability.
• Attend and represent Agape in appropriate meetings and training with other agencies.
• Attend Multidisciplinary Team Meetings and other in-service trainings provided by the agency.
• Attend regular supervisory and team meetings.
• Will perform all other duties, within the general scope of this position, as requested by the Connector Supervisor, Site Coordinator, the PCN Operations Director, or other members of Agape Leadership.

II. Record Keeping:

• Maintain accurate and timely reports for case records according to Agape procedures and grant standards through data entry into Agapes preferred data collection system and documentation in all required areas.
• Be prompt in initiating and replying to all correspondence and inquiries.
• Submit timely reports of all referrals and services to the Supervisor.
• Provide and use all the necessary required data for evaluation purposes.

III. Professional Responsibilities

• Maintain positive and productive relationships with the teachers, staff, and administration in the assigned school.
• Participates in staff meetings, in-service training, and approved and planned relevant workshops, seminars, and training events.
• Participate in other Agency functions, i.e. community awareness events, advocacy activities, fundraising events, etc.
• Participate in agency planning and development, especially specific to programmatic related areas.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working at a computer.
• Prolonged walking and standing, and climbing stairs within schools and community sites.
• Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds at a time.

Bachelors degree in Education, Social Work, or related field from an accredited college or university, with at least 2 years of relevant experience. The ideal candidate must have a demonstrated ability to work with a wide range of people, including children, and provide culturally competent service delivery. Demonstrated case management experience is preferred. Knowledge about community development and a passion for helping others. Must have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, demonstrated computer proficiency, including the use of Microsoft Office Suite and other software applications essential to this position. Should possess outstanding organizational and management skills and have proven ability as a problem solver and self-starter. Understanding of data collection procedures and the aptitude for using data to inform decisions and processes. Must have an automobile available for business use and maintain a current drivers license and current auto insurance with acceptable levels of coverage. Will be required to work a flexible schedule to include evenings and weekends as needed. The candidate must be willing to engage in Agapes Performance Quality and Improvement (also known as Continuous Quality Improvement) standards of quality & excellence.