CCATER Family Engagement Training & Technical Assistance Specialist

Summary: In partnership with DPH, Family TIES Family Engagement Training & Technical Assistance Specialists will provide training and technical assistance on family engagement to pediatric care coordination teams to expand the health care system’s capacity to promote high quality, family engaged, racially equitable, culturally and linguistically accessible services to families of children with medical complexity.

Drawing from their previous experience and expertise as Family TIES parent coordinators who have provided information and referral to parents of CYSHN facing a variety of challenges and support emerging parent leaders and parent trainers, Family Engagement Training & Technical Assistance Specialists are key members of the MDPH Care Coordination Assistance, Training, Education and Resource (CCATER) Center in the Division for Children and Youth with Special Health Needs (DCYSHN). They will participate as members of CCATER T/TA teams working most closely with MassHealth CARES for Kids family support specialists in participating pediatric practices to provide mentorship and peer support. This is a part-time position (20 hours) based statewide via tele-work at least two days per week. There may be occasional on-site requirements on an as-needed basis.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide technical assistance activities to pediatric care coordination teams, particularly family support specialists, to include but not be limited to individual 1:1 coaching calls, peer-to-peer family support specialist groups, learning collaboratives and communities-of-practice, in-person site visits, as well as resources and tools that can be adapted by providers for their respective programs/sites.
• Have knowledge, experience and expertise in the following Family TIES parent coordinator activities. The Family Engagement Training & Technical Assistance Specialist provides training and technical assistance to pediatric family support specialists and care coordination teams to teach them how to:
  • Provide inform about early intervention, state and regional resources, and supports to parents, caregivers, and providers
  • Identify, build relationships and share information with families from diverse cultural, linguistic and ethnic backgrounds
  • Identify and facilitate supports and collaboration activities with community organizations and agencies within the regions
  • Offer information and resource materials at community-based public meetings, conferences, and health fairs
  • Identify parents to participate in the statewide Parent-to-Parent program and Family Advisor Program
  • Connect parents to a variety of training activities offered by Family TIES, other Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN) programs, DPH programs offered by Early Intervention (EI) and Division for Children & Youth with Special Health Needs (DCYSHN), and statewide organizations and agencies
  • Provide training and technical assistance that is accessible to all parents, including those who are non-English speakers or who have limited English proficiency and disabilities

• Conduct provider and family support specialist intakes and tailor activities to providers’ interests and needs
• Prior to the launch on January 15, 2024, offer 1:1 consulting as requested by the CCATER Center on a case-by-case basis
• Provide specialized consultation and technical assistance services following formal CCATER T/TA services launch starting January 30, 2024.
• Provide co-led training during and technical assistance following the CCATER curriculum/training sessions
• Refer pediatric care coordination teams to other CCATER specialists as appropriate such as the care coordination T/TA specialists and clinical specialists
• Coordinate with Family TIES Supervisor and CC T/TA team on assigned provider accounts
• Collect and record data related to provider T/TA given.
• Report on family support needs and experiences to the Curriculum Development team and to the Data/Quality Improvement Specialist
• Share information on upcoming trainings
• Create other learning community opportunities TBD
• Other duties, as requested by the Family TIES Project Director contingent upon DPH program needs.

Qualifications for the Position

• Parent of a child with special health needs, disabilities, and/or chronic illness; having experience with a child with medical complexity is strongly preferred
• Prior experience as a Family TIES Parent Coordinator strongly preferred
• Bachelor’s degree (experience may be substituted for education)
• Two years of paid and/or volunteer experience providing support and information to parents
• Strong communication, interpersonal skills, and public speaking skills
• Ability to work both independently and in collaboration with others
• Strong computer skills and knowledge of Zoom, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, and PowerPoint) or ability to learn
• Knowledge of community resources
• Ability to work occasional weekends and evening
• Valid Massachusetts driver’s license and access to a car
• Bilingual skills a plus

The Family Engagement Training & Technical Assistance Specialist reports to the Family TIES of MA Project Director. This position is 20 hours per week, with excellent benefits.

Please send letter of interest and resume to: Pat Cameron, Project Director, pcameron@fcsn.org. The Federation for Children with Special Needs |The Schrafft Center | 529 Main Street, Suite 1M3 | Boston, MA | 02129

The Federation is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other legally protected status or designation.