Smart Start – Child Development & Family Support Manager

General Information Organization Overview Smart Start of Mecklenburg County (Smart Start or SSMC) is a Charlotte-based non-profit that funds local programs for children ages birth to five and their families. The organization is a catalyst for improving the lives of the 85,000+ young children in our community, with a focus on health, family, early education, and literacy. We mobilize resources and forge partnerships to support evidence-based policies, practices, and programs to ensure all children enter kindergarten healthy and ready to succeed. Smart Start has a budget of over $35 million comprised of funding from the state of North Carolina, Mecklenburg County, and private donations and grants. SSMC funds approximately 25 programs annually serving over 25,000 young children and their families and administers Mecklenburg County’s MECK Pre-K program, which provides free Pre-K to children in the community. SSMC also operates programs and campaigns internally, including Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Guiding Parents to Services, and The Basics Mecklenburg. The organization is also the leader in research, data, convening and collaborating on issues related to children 0-5 in the Greater Charlotte area. Position Summary The Child Development & Family Support Manager leads the design and implementation of the Smart Start strategy needed to meet the social, emotional and developmental needs of children ages 0-5, with a particular focus on age 4 or preschool/prekindergarten age. This role demonstrates a mastery of proactive and responsive early intervention as well as experience designing a framework to support positive behaviors in early childhood settings, and the parent engagement strategies that maintain and grow those behaviors. This position collaborates with various stakeholders from the infant and early childhood mental health community, specialized service providers, the broader Mecklenburg County early childhood community, and connects the MECK Pre-K program to SSMC internally and externally funded programs. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Develop Social Emotional & Behavioral Needs Strategies Develops and implements comprehensive strategies that enable parents and teachers/staff working with young children to identify and understand young children’s social and emotional needs and to be supportive of the development of those children Assists in the coordination and implementation of the screening of all children enrolled in MECK Pre-K to identify those that require additional support Develops and maintains collaborative and effective relationships with partnering agencies/resources to promote and advocate for children and their families Develops, monitors, and oversees systems to ensure staff or parents who have concerns about a child’s development, mental health or social-emotional development can make a referral for appropriate evaluations. Provides supplementary behavior support and remedial services through consultation with other professionals inside and outside the organization. Provide Referrals & Support for Programs Coordinates the referral and evaluation for, and the development and implementation of IEPs (Individualized Education Plans) for children enrolled in MECK Pre-K and other early childhood partner programs. Designs and supports programs and activities with the MECK Pre-K Curriculum & Teacher Support Manager to ensure that the needs of children are met. Maintains an up-to-date list of services and community resources available for children with exceptional needs who are willing to collaborate and have capacity to serve children in MECK Pre-K and other early childhood partner programs and receive a timely response. Explores comprehensive approach to address early childhood mental health including recommendations action steps to implement EB/EI model. Staff Leadership & Supervision Provides leadership and direction for the Family Support team. Supports in developing and updating policies and procedures as it relates to MECK Pre-K Family Support and supporting children with exceptional needs. Ensures that systems are in place to monitor Family Support Services. Serves as an integral member of the MECK Pre-K Leadership Team along with the Chief Early Education Officer, the MECK Pre-K Assistant Director, the Quality Assurance and Compliance Manager, the Curriculum and Teacher Support Manager, and the Finance Director. Internal & External Communication Participates in appropriate professional groups, committees, and meetings and advocates for children, families and high-quality early childhood education. Stays up to date on the latest evidence and research related to SEL and ECE. Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing, with all stakeholders including site administrators and teachers, program staff, community members, parents and teachers. Education and Experience Required for Position Master’s degree with at least five years of work experience in child/youth behavioral health, social work, or public health required, as well as experience implementing evidence based behavioral treatment models with children and families required. Successful direct experience with children exhibiting social, emotional and behavioral challenges. Understanding of critical practices and systems of behavior support. Evidence of successful engagement with families. Knowledge of state and federal special education eligibility criteria. Expertise in identifying children that need evaluation and support for non-typical developmental behaviors. Working knowledge of available community resources related to children with exceptional needs. Experience in creating and maintaining collaborative relationships with community resources related to children with exceptional needs. Experience in securing and individualizing services for children with exceptional needs. Experience in supporting, coaching and guiding parents of children with exceptional needs. Ability to provide training, coaching, and consultation on supporting children with exceptional needs to individuals and groups. Reputation for contributing as a collaborator on a cohesive team Capable of working collegially with staff and administration. Knowledge of Individualized Education Programs. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Valid driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance. Must have access to reliable transportation. Availability to work a flexible schedule as needed for meetings and events (which may include nights and weekends). Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Position Type/Expected Hours of Work This is a full-time exempt position, with a high degree of flexibility, including remote work opportunities. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. Location & Travel This position is based in Charlotte, NC with a minor amount of travel. Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-the-area and overnight travel may be expected. Other Duties Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. No calls, emails, or visits please . For immediate consideration, please formally apply online and provide a resume and cover letter. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned this job classification. They are not to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all duties, skills, and responsibilities of people so assigned. Smart Start will engage in an interactive process with employees requesting medical or religious accommodations. The Agency’s policy is to provide equal opportunity in all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment for all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability or veteran status.