Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the third-largest school district in the United States, serving over 340,000 students in 600+ schools and employing nearly 36,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

The mission of the Office of Diverse Learner Supports and Services (ODLSS) is to provide high-quality and specially designed instructional supports and services for all diverse learners within their least restrictive environment. We work collaboratively with several units, specifically schools and Networks with the goal of improving the academic achievement of all diverse learners by ensuring diverse learners receive meaningful and relevant access to grade-level core instruction within their neighborhood school, school of choice, or the school closest to their residence.

Illinois Starnet Region V is responsible for providing training and technical assistance to early childhood special education staff and families of young children. Workshop and training activities are planned to increase awareness, knowledge, and skills of families and early childhood education and care providers in supporting the education and development of young children with diverse needs. The long-term outcome of training is to improve the abilities of families and early childhood education and care providers to access and/or provide services that are research-based and support recommended practices. Technical assistance is provided to increase the knowledge and skills of families and early childhood education and care providers in practice in order to support the development of young children with disabilities.

The Family Resource Specialist will provide training, consultation, educational opportunities, and technical assistance, resources, and support to families of children ages 3-8 who have special needs and those working with those families. Modeling and nurturing family-centered practices and collaborative relationships between parents and staff are expected, as well as developing and maintaining relationships with local agencies, family advocacy groups, and others that serve families of children with special needs. Travel throughout Illinois (primarily Chicago) to facilitate or present workshops and training events, attending project and statewide meetings and conferences, and providing consultations with families is also required. The Family Resource Specialist will also coordinate with regional team members to assess needs and encourage family involvement and participation in regional activities.

The Family Resource Specialist will be held accountable for the below.

Typical Duties/Responsibilities:

• Implement, in conjunction with team members, the goals, objectives, and activities of the grant
• Identify and meet the staff development needs of persons working with children in early intervention and early childhood special education, and their families
• Utilizing needs assessments, Focus Group input, evaluations, and other formal and informal means to meet identified needs through workshops, trainings, technical assistance, including consultation fellowships, material dissemination, and resource referral
• Assist in the collection and analysis of needs assessment and evaluation data for workshop development for the early childhood community, particularly families.
• Review/monitor regional STARNET materials and resources, family activities ensuring that all such activities are family-focused and encourage family participation. Assess and identify concerns and interests of families with young children with diverse learning needs
• Develop, facilitate and provide innovative and relevant professional and personal development, technical assistance, consultation, and parent education opportunities for and about families of children with diverse learning needs
• Research, compile, and summarize information and materials specifically relevant to family needs and services and assist in keeping the Region IV Lending Library and resource file current with this information
• Collaborate with other STARNET regions, ISBE, Illinois Resource Center, city and state agencies, CPS, DFSS, Head Start, Early Head Start, CCR & Rs, Project CHOICES, LICs, etc. to provide training and technical assistance for families of children with special needs and to disseminate information about STARNET, CPS, ISBE, and other relevant resources and the services that are provided to children and families
• Serve on regional and statewide planning committees, task forces, advisory boards, etc. related to children with disabilities, ages 3-5. Maintain family involvement in local early childhood initiatives and communicate issues, concerns, and successful strategies with community leadership
• Plan and facilitate at least one regional conference for parents and family members regarding children with disabilities each year
• Facilitate webinars, workshops, and events
• Assess and identify concerns and interests of families with children with special needs
• Maintain family involvement in local early childhood initiatives so that families can communicate issues, concerns, and successful strategies with community leadership
• Develop resources on new topics and presenters related to families of children with disabilities, including the development of trainings based on needs assessments, ISBE directives, and other factors
• Participate in regular regional team meetings for direction and information sharing.
• Collaborate with other STAR NET regions in the development of statewide trainings/events such as the statewide STAR NET Professional Development Networking Opportunity, Sharing A Vision Conference, IRC conferences, and other conferences as determined by the ISBE liaison for the STARNET project
• Other duties that may be assigned by ODLSS Chief Officer, ISBE or the Project Director

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Family Resource Specialist must possess the below qualifications.

Type of Education Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in education or humans services related field
• Master’s Degree Preferred
• Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.

Type of Experience Required:

• Experience in training adult learners
• Experience with early intervention and or/early childhood special education
• Familiarity with family advocacy groups and processes
• Experience working consultatively and collaboratively with a team of professionals.
• Experience managing multiple tasks at once in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience working with families of culturally diverse backgrounds.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of federal and state requirements regarding the provision of special education and related services, including timelines and procedures.
• Ability to meet deadlines, multi-task, and respond to requests based on priority and complexity.
• Ability to have shared ownership of work and expected outcomes.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with administrators, team members, parents, community members, and advocates.
• Ability to promote and encourage parental involvement and participation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Applications.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with multiple stakeholders.
• Working knowledge of terminology and processes for early intervention and early childhood special education
• Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively in a team environment, maintaining communication with team members, STARNET constituents, vendors, and both internal and external partners
• Superior communication skills (written, verbal, and listening) that support positive interpersonal and organizational skills
• Ability to problem-solve, work on a team, use data to guide work, and communicate clearly to a diverse variety of multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to travel throughout the city and state (reliable vehicle and driver’s license required)

Residency Requirement:

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and must maintain residency throughout their employment with the district.