SOCIAL WORK SUPERVISOR (Early Childhood Zone) PROJECT POSITION

In 2013, Dane County Department of Human Services and United Way of Dane County launched the first Early Childhood Zone (ECZ) in the Leopold School enrollment area. In 2014, two new ECZs were added, one in Sun Prairie and another in Verona Sugar Creek area. The Northside Early Childhood Zone will open in January 2017. The vision of the Early Childhood Zones is that young children grow to their potential from birth with families that are stable in employment and in the community, ensuring that children are ready for kindergarten at age 4. The new Northside Early Childhood Zone (NECZ) will be a public/private partnership among the city of Madison, Dane County, United Way and the Oscar Rennebohm Foundation. It will encompass the geographic area of the Blackhawk Middle School elementary schools. The Northside Early Childhood Zone will follow the same vision established for prior Zones and provide the core components of : 1) home visitation services for families with children birth to age four; 2.) housing case management; 3. employment and training support.

In addition, the NECZ will be an enhanced zone and will extend home visiting program opportunities for eligible women who are pregnant or give birth starting January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017 or fathers who are primary caretakers of newborns and who are living in the NECZ. The enhancements will also address the need for providing adequate childcare opportunities and support for mental health needs. New positions in this Zone will include: a Zone Coordinator, Neighborhood Early Childhood Navigators and a Program Evaluator to ensure long term learning and change to better our community.

DEFINITION of Role

Under the supervision of a Children Youth and Families (CYF) Human Services Manager, this supervisor is responsible for the administrative coordination of the Northside Early Childhood Zone (NECZ). Ensures continuity and effectiveness of the NECZ agency services in conformance with internal Department policies and the directives of the NECZ Oversight and Operations Committees. Serves as site facilitator of the NECZ office and single point of contact focusing on connection of the initiative with the community and referrals to NECZ programming. Coordinates services to target families specific to NECZ services and resources. Collects data, monitors NECZ functions, and reports on NECZ outcomes. Facilitates NECZ team. Manages multiple projects. Participates in grant writing and resource development activities. Maintains professional standards of health and human services practice and performs related work as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Community Connection and Referral - Manages zone referrals; Tracks openings within each home visitation (HV) program; Tracks referrals between programs to enhance continuity for families; Conducts outreach to schools, faith based organizations, and other groups working within the area about the NECZ; Represents the NECZ and HV programming at community meetings, fairs and other venues; Performs neighborhood and community outreach; Coordinates and supports Neighborhood Navigators; Works closely with Mendota Elementary Community School and cultivates working relationships within Lindberg, Gompers and Lakeview Elementary Schools. Coordinates NECZ with the City of Madison’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention’s Youth Opportunities Initiative.

Coordination of Services to Families - Ensures and track connections between: housing supports, education and employment services, community-based mental health services, childcare and other resources as deemed appropriate; Collects short term and long term outcomes; Performs sight management and team facilitation responsibilities.

NECZ Initiative Monitoring and Analysis - Monitors the 3 goals of NECZ: 1) Families stable in housing, workforce ready and employed, 2) Children ready to learn at Kindergarten entry and families enroll their children in 4K with consistent attendance for the year; 3) Greater continuity of services to families with young children (seamless integration to 4K); Provides updated information at NECZ Oversight and Operation Committee meetings; Connects with providers in a timely manner if family advocacy is needed; Facilitates weekly NECZ team meetings; Responsible for working with each program on data collection and reporting on target NECZ metrics; Responsible for working closely with NECZ Evaluator.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Education and Experience: At least five years experience in team facilitation, human services, teaching or another related profession. A Master’s degree in social work or related field may substitute for up to two years of the social work experience requirement. Experience working within a multi- disciplinary team context preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Must possess excellent communication and organizational skills. Capacity to thrive in a community-based office and value the diversity of those within the programs and larger neighborhood. Extensive knowledge of health and human services principles and practices including assessment, case planning, case management and facilitating multi- disciplinary teams; knowledge of community resources relevant to children, youth and families; ability to facilitate collaboration among team members ; ability to work effectively with persons from a variety of socioeconomic, ethnic, or racial groups; excellent organization skills; ability to lead and motivate others; skill in providing effective case consultation; ability to maintain perspective and balance in the face of competing priorities; ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; ability to facilitate a team of varying skills, abilities and experiences. Experience in project management, data analysis, grant writing and funder cultivation.