Friends of the Children

Basic Function / Position Objective

The Family Engagement Manager (FEM) plays a central role in the implementation and advancement of Friends LA’s 2Gen model. Reporting to the Family Engagement Director (FED), the FEM manages caregiver engagement efforts, co-leads community-based events, and collaborates with Family Engagement Assistants (FEAs). This role blends relational practice with data-driven strategy, ensuring effective caregiver communication, resource coordination, and cross-departmental collaboration.

As a leader in family engagement, the FEM models trauma-informed, culturally responsive approaches that empower families, promote self-advocacy, and build protective factors to support child and caregiver success.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Family Engagement & Support

• Maintains regular contact with assigned caregiver caseload (weekly/monthly) based on family need and case plan.
• Completes caregiver engagements, follows up timely and consistently, and documents interactions.
• Supports the re-engagement of older or less active caregivers in collaboration with the Family Engagement Assistant (FEA).
• Coaches mentors in effective caregiver communication techniques and relational strategies.
• Applies a relational lens to event design, prioritizing inclusion and shared power, and assists in identifying relevant topics based on caregiver feedback and current needs.
• Co-facilitates parent support groups and  events alongside the FED.
• Takes the lead in event planning and facilitation when the FED is unavailable or as assigned.

Administrative

• Accurately documents family contacts and case management notes in the internal data system.
• Supports data gathering, as well as tracking other grant-required metrics.
• Manages a small working budget and maintains detailed logs
• Serves as a trained backup for the FED during caregiver intake and enrollment processes.

Team Collaboration & Training

• Participates actively in team meetings, staff development and family engagement trainings, occasionally leading in the absence of the FED.
• Brings relational insights and updates from the field to inform team strategy.
• Takes lead in joint and group supervision meetings for assigned supervisees in partnership with Program Directors or Managers.
•  Elevates systemic family concerns to the FED.
• Maintains and deepens relationships with local service providers and agencies and attends community resource meetings as needed- Collaborates closely with all program staff to support family referrals and wraparound care.

Education, Experience & Skills Required

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Education, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 4–5 years of experience in family support, youth development, or community engagement.
• At least 2 years of supervisory experience, preferably within a nonprofit or educational setting.
• Strong understanding of the Strengthening Families Framework and 2Gen approaches.
• Experience managing community partnerships and coordinating events.
• Proven track record in using relational, trauma-informed practices with diverse families.
• Ability to work evenings/weekends as needed and manage flexible scheduling.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and data tracking systems.

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 of the Children – Los Angeles is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to addressing discriminatory practices, and to working toward racial equity. The equal employment opportunity policy of Friends of the Children 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.