Friends of the Children

BASIC FUNCTION/POSITION OBJECTIVE 

The Unlicensed Family Engagement Director will lead the 2Gen Program at our South Bay site. This key leadership role is responsible for assessing family risk and protective factors, providing direct support to parents, and guiding participants toward progress in education, employment, and personal goals. The FED will oversee referrals, facilitate periodic trainings, and provide crisis intervention as needed, all while fostering strong partnerships and collecting outcome data to measure program impact. As an integral part of the South Bay team, this individual will help build a foundation of encouragement, support, and accountability that empowers families to achieve lasting stability and success. 

Primary Responsibilities:                                                                                                  

A. Direct Services

• Develop individualized goal plans with parents using protective factors to encourage self-discovery, personal growth, and goal-oriented action.
• Support parents in achieving self-responsibility and aligning values with actions in areas such as crisis intervention, effective parenting, and navigating public resources.
• Assess family needs and track growth over time, providing consistent follow-up support.
• Guide participants in utilizing external support systems, public agencies, and financial literacy tools to promote long-term self-sufficiency.
• Facilitate parent support groups and engagement activities.
• Maintain accurate, confidential case records and submit timely case notes using the internal data system.
• Administer and record participant self-assessments and other program data for evaluation and grant reporting.
• Collaborate with program staff in regular team meetings and planning sessions.
• Support family goal planning sessions and provide guidance to mentors as needed.
• Maintain budget oversite for 2gen dept needs. 

B. Program Support 

• Partner with the Program Director and South Bay Friends to connect families to services across domains such as mental health, workforce development, housing, and public benefits.
• Conduct monthly check-ins with Friends to assess and respond to evolving family needs.
• Assist the Program Director in identifying and selecting families for program participation.
• Maintain flexibility in work hours and be available to respond to crisis situations.
• Support the development and maintenance of needs and strengths assessments for families.
• Collaborate with the Program Director on family engagement strategies, training, and retention efforts.

C.  Additional Responsibilities: 

• All Friends LA employees are mandated reporters and are legally required to ensure a report is made when abuse is observed or suspected.  
• Participate in Friends of the Children training to maintain a baseline of the content, skills, and language used for participants and staff. 
• Be relentlessly committed to ensuring that youth and families reach their long-term outcomes. 
• Ensure compliance with and accountability to organization’s policies, procedures, and practices as outlined in Employee Manual and Friends Handbook.  
• Collaborate with and benefit from National team resources. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

Education and Experience Required: 

• Master’s degree preferred for external candidates, or internal candidates working toward clinical licensure (MFT, MSW, LPCC).
• Seven to ten years’ experience working with child-related programs.
• Ability to research, analyze data, design/develop, propose, implement, and sustain.
• Knowledge of child development and child issues.
• Awareness of community resources and ability to sustain relationships.
• Enthusiasm and knowledge for developing the growth of Friends L.A. in South Bay.

Benefits

Friends LA cares about our employees as whole people. We offer a generous vacation and sick leave policy, quarterly reset days, 12 paid holidays, summer half days, and an annual winter recess during the last week of December. Employees are eligible for medical benefits (including vision and dental), 401k retirement plan, and ongoing professional development opportunities.

Employees can add optional plans, at employee expense, which include medical coverage for dependents, EAP, Flexible Spending Accounts, supplemental life insurance, pet insurance, and more.

Friends LA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to addressing discriminatory practices, and to working toward racial equity. The equal employment opportunity policy of Friends LA provides fair and equal opportunities for all employees and job applicants regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, disability, or genetic information, in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local law. While we prioritize hiring applicants with lived experience, Friends of the Children – Los Angeles hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled.

Note: Friends LA requires COVID-19 vaccines for all employees. As of March 1, 2022, we will be expanding our in-person vaccination requirement to include booster shots. Accommodations or exceptions can be requested for medical or religious reasons.