Parent Fellow - Felton Institute
San Francisco, CA 94110
About the Job
Parent Fellow
Felton’s Developmental Playgroups
Agency Overview
Felton Institute responds to the needs of our community by providing innovative, evidence-informed social services that transform lives. Our organization offers 50+ programs that address mental health, the unhoused, early care and education, those impacted by the justice system, transitional age youth, as well as aging adults. Our programs combine the latest scientific research with cultural sensitivity and a deep commitment to supporting and reflecting the communities we serve. Felton offers a dynamic, challenging, and supportive work environment where we encourage the use of professional development, that staff can utilize throughout their career.
Program Description
Felton Developmental Playgroups are designed for children from birth to 5 years who are exhibiting mild to moderate developmental delays. These children may not meet the requirements for formal early intervention programs or may be waiting for GGRC services to be approved. The playgroups will focus on building developmental skills in communication, fine motor, adaptive, gross motor, and problem-solving areas. While children are engaged in the playgroups, their caregivers will participate in Parents Connect, a parent support group that that will run alongside the playgroups to connect caregivers who are going through similar experiences. Parents Connect will be facilitated by Parent Fellows with a rotation of guest specialists and other community partners. The goals of these groups are to (1) create a community of support led by parents, for parents and (2) to create a place where parents can receive expert consultation to help with access to and navigation of services.
Job Description
The Parent Fellows play a crucial role in Parents Connect by co-facilitating parent support groups, implementing family support plans, and working collaboratively with the Early Intervention (EI) team, including the EI Coordinator, Early Interventionist, and EI Supervisor, to deliver comprehensive services. Applicants should focus on engaging families in supporting their child's development both during play sessions and at home, and should be prepared to act as advocates for families.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Parent Connect Groups
· Review and implement the Family Support Plans completed during intake by the EI Coordinator for each family
· Co-lead and coordinate “Parents Connect” group sessions for families/caregivers, ensuring alignment with children’s Playgroups.
· Address inquiries from families about the program, and maintain a clean and organized center.
· Actively engage families in weekly activities during Parents Connect to promote their involvement, and participation.
· Provide education to families based on training provided, ensuring they have the necessary knowledge and resources.
· Offer community resources and information as needed to support families.
· Meet regularly with the EI Coordinator to discuss and review each family’s needs and progress.
· Distribute, collect, and maintain all sign-in sheets and program forms to support required data collection for reporting purposes.
· Assist EI staff with set-up, clean-up, and organizing supplies as needed.
· Perform other job-related duties as assigned to support the overall objectives of the program.
Administrative & Outreach
· Community Resources and Support:
· Offer community resources and information as needed and assist families in accessing additional assessments or evaluations to support their children’s development.
· Family Engagement and Relationship Building:
· Build trusting relationships with families, making yourself accessible in person or by phone. Motivate and encourage families to actively engage in the “Parents Connect” group and other program activities.
· Information and Referrals:
· Provide families with information and referrals based on screening results, connecting them with appropriate community resources and interventions.
· Data Collection and Reporting:
· Distribute, collect, and maintain sign-in sheets and program forms, ensuring accurate data collection for reporting purposes.
Parenting Education Support & Engagement
· Foster a welcoming and supportive environment for parents and caregivers attending the playgroups.
· Guide and facilitate the Parents Connect family support group, tailoring the approach to meet the group's specific needs.
· Encourage parent participation and involvement in playgroup activities.
· Regularly communicate and collaborate with Early Interventionists to align goals and activities for each participant group.
· Collaborate with EI staff to offer parents engaging activities they can use to build skills at home.
· Advocate for families’ needs and preferences within the playgroup setting.
· Empower families to advocate for their children’s developmental goals and aspirations.
· Educate families and caregivers about the purpose and process of Ages and Stages developmental screening.
· Engage families and caregivers in the Ages and Stages screening process, encouraging their active participation.
· Bring and share your lived experience as a parent of a child with special needs, offering critical insights and empathy that support and empower other families.
· Identify and coordinate guest speakers for “Parents Connect” sessions based on the group’s specific needs, in collaboration with the EI Supervisor.
· Perform other job-related duties as assigned to support the overall objectives of the program.
QUALIFICATIONS:
· Communicates effectively both on the phone and in person, with strong interpersonal skills to engage with families and colleagues.
· Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while also collaborating effectively as part of a team.
· Responsible and reliable work ethic with a friendly and approachable demeanor.
· Lived experience as a parent of a child with special needs
· Bilingual Spanish fluency-HIGHLY DESIRED
Additional Information:
Reports to: Early Intervention Supervisor
Job Type: Part-Time
Work Schedule: Onsite
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Salary Range: $17-$21 per hour (DOE)
Benefits (subject to election and eligibility): Fully-Paid Medical and Dental Plans; Health Reimbursement Card, Paid Time Off (personal, vacation, and sick time), 403B with company match.
Applying Instruction:
Candidates should apply for the position at our career page “careers.felton.org” OR directly email resumes to “jobs@felton.org”.
IMP NOTE: Job responsibilities are subject to change according to program requirements.