Community Engagement Manager For Foster Care

Job Description

This position will be responsible for building Foster Friendly Communities in 2 regions of Tennessee- Northwest and Southwest DCS Regions.

Through unique and innovative programming around church and business engagement, this role will require you to be a convener, cast vision and walk closely alongside churches and businesses as they begin to support the recruitment and support of foster and adoptive families. While this is a large area to cover, the real momentum is happening in Dickson County and Henry county in the Northwest Region and Madison county in the Southwest Region. This role will be expected to manage current relationships with churches/businesses in these areas and eventually grow to other surrounding counties.

The Community Engagement Manager (CEM) will work closely with a team of other CEM’s across the state to pull together best practices, strategies and regional goals based on the needs of the community being served.

Any given day will look very different and could range from:

• Gathering volunteers to attend an I Belong Project™ video shoot day, capturing the hearts and personalities of children on film who need an adoptive family
• Training a church leader on appropriate language to use when talking about kids in Foster Care, and local stats they can share with their community.
• Host a panel of foster parents to a room full of potential foster families.
• Convening local social workers with a group of faith leaders to talk about the importance of a church being trauma aware.
• Presenting at a chamber of commerce gathering with business leaders talking about the importance of local restaurants giving discounts to foster families.
• Equipping and empowering a leader to form WRAP teams around local foster families to help meet tangible and intangible needs.

Core Competencies

• Passion for helping children in need and dedication to TKB’s mission.
• Leadership skills to inspire others.
• Confidence and ability to make persuasive requests of key local leaders.
• Comfort discussing Foster Care issues in various settings.
• Good judgment on ethical matters.
• Strong networking skills to build and maintain relationships.
• Ability to mobilize and coordinate volunteers.
• Perseverance in the face of challenges.

Skill Sets

• Personal or professional connection to Foster Care / adoption is preferred
• Out-of-the-box thinker who’s adept at finding creative solutions to complex problems
• Self starter- as a remote position with staff all across state, this role requires a large amount of independent work, daily planning
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking experience.
• Proficiency with technology like Google Docs, CRMs, task management software
• Posture of continued growth and learning

About Tennessee Kids Belong

Tennessee Kids Belong (TKB) is a 501c3 launched in 2016 as an affiliate of the national non-profit, America's Kids Belong. TKB provides an innovative, holistic, proven model that dramatically improves the experiences and outcomes for kids in Foster Care, by equipping leaders within multiple sectors of our society. TKB finds ways for EVERYONE to do SOMETHING to make a sustainable impact.

Three focus areas of effective programming:

1. Family Recruiting

A family for every child.

We help recruit and retain foster parents alongside state government and private agencies. Working closely with the state on recruitment efforts through Governor’s Initiatives with both the past two administrations–foster parent certifications far surpassed state goals 4 years in a row.

Our I Belong Project™ is a flagship program that creates videos of kids in Foster Care eligible for adoption to help them find forever families. Since 2016, we have produced over 900 videos and over 450 of those children are now in forever families.

2. Community Engagement

A community for every family.

We equip local businesses, faith communities and civic organizations to become Foster Friendly™ and connect these supportive groups to foster families via our innovative Foster Friendly™ App.

We train churches and faith communities to embrace at least two of our three best practices for Foster Friendly™ faith communities- : trauma awareness training for staff and volunteers, teaching on the intersection between faith and fostering in regards to the needs of their direct community, and building a ministry to Wrap Around and support foster families.

We work closely with businesses of all industries to offer services and discounts that help foster families thrive and continue saying yes to this important work. From car dealerships offering larger rental cars to keep siblings placed together- to coffee shops providing a safe space for Foster parents to recharge together, or have 1:1 Time with the new teen in their home- all businesses have a role to play.

3. Sustainable Change

Hope for the Foster Care community.

We create coalitions for change by working with the Governor and mayors’ offices, child welfare, and other leadership voices across faith, business and civic sectors to raise awareness and collaborate to drive sustainable change in Foster Care. TKB has worked closely with the past 2 Governor administrations to launch successful Foster Care initiatives, surpassing state recruitment and permanency goals 4 years in a row.

Who We Are

Tennessee Kids Belong is a gritty, grassroots band of warriors passionate about fighting for vulnerable kids. Many of us are walking or have walked a journey tied to Foster Care or adoption in our own lives. So in many ways, the battle is personal to ensure that kids in Foster Care are seen, heard, and ultimately able to experience the essential, invaluable sense of belonging… to a family, in a community, and as a member of the human family.

We take a child-centered approach to our work in service of our mission. We prioritize our activity and resources based on mission impact. We believe a heightened EQ and deep character are every bit as important as IQ to our success.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $40,000.00 - $45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Paid time off
• Parental leave

Application Question(s):

• What inspired you to apply for this position?
• Do you have any connection to Foster Care and/or adoption?

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Jackson, TN 38301