Families First Overview

Families First is a nonprofit organization that partners with parents to amplify their power so they can positively impact the lives of children and communities through our groundbreaking programs. Our vision is that: **

Every parent** is strong and supported.
Every community benefits from the power of parents. **
Every child** is thriving and resilient.

Families First programs consist of:

The Power of Parenting Program: Provides parenting workshops and support for parents of children between birth and age eight. This program consists of 12 interactive sessions that bring parents' life experiences to the center.

The Ripple Program: Brings parents’ lived experiences raising children in the community to advise the institutions and policies that are most important in children’s lives. The program includes the Parent Leadership Series, six training sessions that help parents strengthen their leadership and advocacy skills.

Position Overview

Families First is seeking per-diem facilitators to run our Power of Parenting and Parent Leadership Series throughout Western MA, including Springfield, Holyoke, and Chicopee area (in-person and virtual) and statewide (virtual). Families First Program Facilitators have previous experience working with adult learners from a wide range of backgrounds and are skilled at leading interactive workshops.

Program Facilitators focusing on the Power of Parenting typically have knowledge of Family Studies, Child Development, Psychology, and Social Work. Each Power of Parenting program consists of twelve sessions, either virtual or in-person. Virtual sessions are 75 minutes, and in-person sessions are 90 minutes.

Program Facilitators focusing on the Parent Leadership Series typically have knowledge of Family Engagement, Leadership, Advocacy, and Project Management. The Parent Leadership Series consists of six virtual 2-hour sessions.

Sessions for both programs are held weekly during the daytime, evening, or weekend hours.

Curriculum guides, handouts, and slide shows are prepared, developed, and regularly updated by Families First’s support staff. Additional opportunities for Program Facilitators may arise, such as facilitating alumni workshops and Ripple Staff Training series, participating in the organization’s Diversity Equity Inclusion & Belonging Committee, and/or participating in other organizational opportunities or initiatives.

This position reports to the Associate Director of Curriculum & Training.

Essential Job Functions

• Lead interactive Power of Parenting sessions with a diverse group of parents on a variety of topics, including but not limited to early childhood development, early literacy, self-care, and stress management, positive discipline, parenting styles etc.
• Lead interactive Parent Leadership Series sessions with topics such as mentoring, leadership, community engagement and project management.
• For in-person programs, deliver programs on-site in a variety of settings, including schools, early learning centers, community centers, and housing developments.
• For virtual programs, deliver programs virtually, which includes: Navigating virtual meeting platforms such as Zoom; and hosting virtual meetings (admitting participants, creating breakout rooms, muting/unmuting participants, sharing presentations, interacting with the chat, creating polls, etc.).
• Attend four annual team meetings/trainings run by Families First, held on Saturday mornings (all training time is paid).
• Connect with assigned partner sites prior to the start of the program, manage attendance, administer evaluation forms, and maintain contact with Families First throughout program.

Qualifications

Knowledge of child development for Power of Parenting programs and knowledge of project management, advocacy and family engagement for the Ripple program.

• 2+ years’ experience facilitating interactive and engaging workshops for adult learners.
• 2+ years’ experience working with parents/caregivers or families
• Ability to travel in and around the Western MA area
• Strong facilitation skills
• Cultural competence and experience working in culturally diverse environments
• Comfort with using the technology and software required to facilitate virtual and in-person sessions
• Required to be fluent in English as well as one or more of the following: Spanish, Haitian Creole, Simplified Chinese or Portuguese

Pay Rate & Benefits

• $51.50/hour rate for program session facilitation, prep time, meetings, and trainings with growth over time (other opportunities may be offered at a different hourly rate)
• Guidance, support, participation in a community of peers, and materials from Families First staff
• Opportunities to participate in other Families First projects or initiatives

Families First has a strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We aim to attract candidates who hold these same values. Families First is an equal opportunity employer for all regardless of race, color, citizenship, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran or reservist status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.