This position offers some flexibility of office location within the hybrid work model currently being observed, as this role is necessary in several regional offices. This position will be assigned to a particular region, requiring frequent travel throughout the Commonwealth within the region assigned (approximately 50% of the time). Regions are Western, Central, Metro Boston, Southeast and Northeast. The Education Secretariat is committed to equity and valuing the unique and diverse characteristics and experiences of every member of its workforce. We encourage an authentic workplace where colleagues show up as their full selves, where collaboration, innovation, and connections are key to realizing our mission that all children, youth, and families thrive socially, academically, and economically. We seek teammates who are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive work environment, where everyone is valued and engaged. We encourage you to apply and identify your strengths in these areas. The Family Access Specialist will work across EEC units, state partner agencies (including, but not limited to, the Department of Children and Families, Department of Transitional Assistance, Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, Department of Public Health and Department of Mental Health) and other stakeholders in pursuit of outcomes-oriented, family centered services that promote long-term economic stability and mobility. The Family Access Specialist is responsible for the regional cross-system relationship coordination for programmatic navigation and support to agencies and programs contracting with EEC in administering childcare financial assistance and other EEC funded services. This role will work directly with EEC, grantees, Contracted Providers and Child Care Resources and Referral Agencies to ensure coordinated access to timely and dignified services and supports for families within Child Care Financial Assistance programs and across other EEC programs or supports. They also will work to support Commonwealth-wide initiatives supporting families to obtain access to services and supports. The key to this role is the ability to provide regional coordination with state and community partners to identify, mitigate and navigate challenges and opportunities to improve access to childcare financial assistance for families and other needed resources or supports including those families with complex needs. Acting as the connector and coach, the Specialist will use data, reporting, site visits, convenings, and cross-system communication to improve the overall effectiveness of EEC services and programs in supporting family’s basic needs and economic mobility. Key Responsibilities: Act as a liaison and coordinator among EEC Central and Regional Offices and other state agencies including but not limited to DTA, DCF, DPH, OHLC as well as local schools, family resource centers and family shelters to support families with navigating early education care supports and other needed services. Build connections among local and regional service providers assisting families in navigating the provider community and services offered. This includes: • Maintaining active participation in EEC sponsored meetings (e.g., Quarterly Meetings and Stakeholder Meetings) and engagement with EEC funded providers and services • Completing monthly check-ins with appropriate regional/local office staff (i.e., Regional EEC Offices, DCF Area Offices, DTA Offices and others) • Helping programs to support families in navigating and breaking down barriers to meeting basic needs as well as accessing critical early education and care services • Working closely with Family and Community Support Specialists and Head Start State Collaboration Office staff • Working at the community level with Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) grantees, Early Childhood Mental Health grantees and, where applicable, Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative (CPPI) grantees to coordinate and maximize services • Connecting and partnering with state and community organizations to meet the holistic needs of families Provide technical assistance and coaching to the Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies and contracted providers participating in EEC Child Care Financial Assistance Programs (Family Access Administrators or FAAs) within the assigned region. Meet with FAAs regularly, establish strong relationships with providers, and maintain a good understanding of programs in order to support best access for families and to promote provider success in achieving outcomes for the Child Care Financial Assistance Programs. This includes: • Engaging with FAAs regularly on ways to improve recruitment and referral pipeline of new providers • Completing quarterly check-ins with FAAs to identify and address barriers for families and providers • Maintaining strong understanding of EEC policy changes that impact the system and work to ensure FAAs understand and can implement policy changes • Maintaining active engagement in FAA provider trainings and provision of additional support to providers on an as-needed basis • Partnering with contract management staff to ensure continuous quality improvement across contracted providers and Child Care Resource and Referral agencies • Interviewing, surveying, or conducting focus groups with families to contextualize quantitative outcome data with qualitative data • Working with local workforce development initiatives and MassHire Career Centers to ensure strong connections among FAAs, families and employment or education and training programs or opportunities “Make meaning of” and share data in partnership with EEC, FAAs, and partner agencies. Family Access Specialists are expected to actively use EEC data to assess the status and trends over time of waitlist, referrals, enrollments, terminations, and outcomes achievement. Family Access Specialists can use these trends to identify opportunities for technical assistance and facilitate data-driven provider coaching. This includes: • Running and analyzing monthly reports • Completing and analyzing quarterly performance reports • Sharing and discussing trends with Child Care Financial Assistance Director to inform system-level improvements and supports that promote improved outcomes achievement and family access • Providing coaching to FAAs on how to use EEC reports • Developing resources to support best practices in supporting family access and family economic mobility • Working with the EEC fiscal team to process timely contract renewals, amendments and participate as members of RFR procurement teams Other duties as assigned. Preferred Qualifications: ● A commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and proven record of embedding equity in their work ● Knowledge of family engagement strategies ● Understanding of the family engagement framework ● Experience working with community engagement initiatives across multiple systems ● Ability to understand, explain and apply the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, etc., governing assigned unit activities ● Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of data to draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations ● Ability to write concisely and clearly and develop ideas in logical sequence ● Ability to communicate with various audience types and to follow and provide written and oral instructions in a precise, understandable manner ● Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others ● Ability to adjust to varying situations to meet emergency or changing program requirements ● Ability to exercise sound judgement and discretion in handling confidential information ● Ability to work independently as well as in a team setting ● Excellent oral and written communication skills ● Ability to gather information and anticipate and analyze difficult situations ● Ability to exercise sound judgment, deal tactfully with others, and to adjust to changing situations to meet changing program need ● Ability to work flexibly and to adjust to delays and changes in schedules Travel is required for this position. Please include a cover letter with your resume, indicating regional location preference. Questions regarding this position, or the application process should be directed to [email protected] First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days. MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional, administrative or managerial experience in business administration, business management or public administration the major duties of which involved program management, program administration, program coordination, program planning and/or program analysis, and (B) of which at least one year must have been in a supervisory capacity, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below. Substitutions: I. A Bachelor's degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required (A) experience.* II. A Graduate degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of three years of the required (A) experience.* III. A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major other than in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience. Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed. NOTE: No substitutions will be permitted for the required (B) experience. _Comprehensive Benefits_ When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future. Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards! *An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role. Job: Administrative Services* *Organization: Department of Early Education and Care *Title: *Regional Family Access Specialist Location: Massachusetts-Boston - 50 Milk St Requisition ID: 24000019