FRAMINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Early Childhood Alliance of Framingham

TITLE:

ECAF Program Support Associate

2021-2022 School Year

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Early Childhood Alliance of Framingham (ECAF) receives funding through the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) grant and is administrated by the Framingham Public Schools.  The primary goal of the program is to provide family education and early literacy opportunities to increase the likelihood of school readiness upon entering Kindergarten.

The ParentChild Plus is a part of the menu of services offered through the Early Childhood Alliance.  The ParentChild Plus is a prescribed home-based family literacy, school readiness, and parent education program that prepares young children for school success by increasing language and literacy skills, enhancing social-emotional development, strengthening the parent-child relationship early on, and most importantly, honoring the parent(s) role as the child’s first teacher.  This early literacy program serves eligible families with children ages 18 months to 36 months for a period of two years. 

The Program Support Associate position is intended to support ECAF/ParentChild Plus activities and CFCE grant requirements. The Program Support Associate will assist the Early Childhood Alliance Program Coordinator with the data collection, analysis, entry of CFCE impact evaluation activities, and design of Visual Interactive Stimulus Material (VISM) guide sheets, as well as conducting family/community interviews as appropriate.

OUR MISSION:

Framingham Public Schools is committed to excellence for all students. Our mission statement guides our work: Through a comprehensive education, we aim to create and empower free-thinking, responsible citizens who can participate equally in our rich and diverse community. FPS and the community stand united in our core values: Providing a safe, inclusive, culturally responsive teaching and learning environment; Engaging antiracist and responsible civic advocates; Respecting diversity of thought, learners, cultures, and community; Fostering learning and healthy growth of all students and staff; Ensuring every school will be an active, participatory, equitable community.

Diversity among teachers undoubtedly advances the academic achievement of students. Compliance obligations establish a baseline which we seek to exceed. As a district, Framingham Public Schools is committed to achieving, developing, and maintaining a workforce reflective of the rich racial, linguistic, and cultural diversity of our students. Framingham Public Schools aims to teach our children, and ourselves, to be culturally proficient and inclusive in order to live, learn, and work together in a vibrant and diverse world.  

Indeed, Framingham Public Schools is committed to inspiring our school community to be accepting and willing to learn from individuals with differing backgrounds. Our goal is to reflect the diverse community we serve and create a great place to work for everyone by embracing the individual skills, perspectives, and experiences our people bring to the workplace and harnessing these for high performance and improved service delivery. We want our employees to feel included, valued, and respected and have access to equal opportunity, which supports full participation at work. Framingham Public Schools seeks to retain the diverse talent in our workforce and support our people to maintain a long and productive working career.

Framingham Public Schools is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from persons with disabilities and who identify as members of historically underrepresented groups.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Early childhood, social work, family education, and outreach experience preferred.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

Background in early education, sociology, psychology, health care, or community service preferred.  Experience in coaching, group facilitation, family education, and support, working with families of young children (in-home or group setting). Must have a valid Driver's License and access to a car. Paid training will be provided.

Framingham Public Schools seeks candidates whose background, teaching, or service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of education. Also, we are interested in candidates who will bring to their professional practice the perspective that comes from a non-traditional educational background or an understanding of the experiences of those underrepresented in the educational field.

SKILLS AND ABILITY:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Administrative and computer literacy skills essential
• Knowledge of home visitation, early literacy practices, and early education
• Ability to work as a team member 
• Experience working with families with young children in their home and in a group setting
• A strong understanding of families experiencing stress and present with many high needs
• Background in “Strengthening Families’ philosophy and a commitment to family support
• Strong understanding of diverse communities 
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively 
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (both oral and written) 
• Positive attitude
• Sound organizational skills   
• Computer proficient and comfortable with data collection/entry and evaluation tools
• Willingness to work flexible hours in order to accommodate families schedules   
• Ability to speak Spanish/Portuguese beneficial but not required 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as an illustration of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer, as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change.

• Maintain and monitor inventory of materials (toys and books)
• Review and write curriculum guide sheets, as needed
• Visit and interview program families for the purpose of collecting evaluation data
• Collect and preserve data through the “DAISY” web-based Data Management Information System
• Review  timelines for completion of  required assessments such as Ages and Stages (ASQ) & ASQ-SE Parent Questionnaire, PACT, CBT, and surveys  with families
• Conduct family interviews/family surveys
• Gather, analyze, and summarize data 

PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to move about to provide services and may be required to occasionally traverse throughout the school building. The other time is primarily sedentary, performed in an office setting. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, talk, and hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands; fingers; to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and to stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl.  The employee is occasionally required to sit and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include peripheral vision and close vision such as reading the typewritten material. 

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer, as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change.

REPORTS TO:  

Early Childhood Alliance Program Coordinator 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

None.

FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT (FLSA) CLASSIFICATION:

This position is classified as Non-Exempt (Hourly). Days and hours are flexible and the program follows the school calendar year.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Covered under Framingham Framingham School Committee. 

This position offers a flexible schedule of working approximately 5 hours per week for 32 weeks at a rate of $20 per hour.  This position is contingent on annual grant funding.   

HELPFUL LINKS: 

Framingham Policies & Procedures Handbook 

Only online applications will be accepted. Click here to apply!   

Framingham Public Schools provides equal employment. opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Framingham Public Schools complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the District has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Framingham Public Schools expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.