Child & Family Development Manager

Girls Educational and Mentoring Services (GEMS) serves low-income girls and young women of color who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking. Our programs are survivor-centered and trauma-informed, supporting healing, stability, and long-term independence.

Many of the young women we serve are also parents. Supporting their children’s healthy development—and strengthening parent-child relationships—is an essential part of breaking cycles of trauma and poverty.

GEMS is seeking a Child & Family Development Manager to lead and grow programming that supports young mothers and their children within survivor-centered services for low-income girls and young women of color who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking. This is a relational, program-building role focused on strengthening parent-child relationships, supporting healthy development, and breaking intergenerational cycles of trauma and poverty.

About the Role

As the Child & Family Development Manager, you will lead the development and implementation of a child- and family-centered component within GEMS’ survivor-centered programming. This work includes parenting support, child-focused activities, partnerships, and program design grounded in best practices in child development and trauma-informed care.

This is a highly relational role that combines direct engagement with parents and children, program coordination, and partnership building. It calls for warmth, sound judgment, strong boundaries, a sense of humor, and a deep commitment to trauma-informed and survivor-centered practice. Working with parents and children in complex circumstances requires patience, flexibility, and the ability to stay grounded and responsive.

This is also a program-building role. You won’t be stepping into a fully built structure—instead, you will help shape and grow an expanding area of work. We’re looking for someone who is energized by building thoughtful programs, piloting ideas, and collaborating with members, alumni, and staff to strengthen and evolve our approach.Because this is a program-building role we are open to considering candidates with a range of experience levels. For an exceptional candidate with significant experience leading similar work, the scope or title of the role may be adjusted. We recognize that strong candidates come from a range of professional backgrounds and career stages, and we value depth of experience, thoughtfulness, and commitment to the work as much as formal titles.

A core part of this role is ensuring that programming reflects the voices, experiences, and leadership of the young women we serve. We believe parenting and child development work is strongest when it is informed by lived experience and grounded in real family needs.

We’re especially interested in candidates who are curious and creative, and who enjoy building programs that are both thoughtful and well-structured, using feedback and data to strengthen the work over time. We value staff who are reflective, grounded, and able to approach complex situations with patience, humility, and a willingness to learn.

GEMS is a collaborative, reflective workplace, and we value staff who communicate openly, support one another, and approach this work with care and intention.

What You’ll Do

Program Development & Implementation

• Develop and oversee programming that integrates trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches for children and their families.
• Design parenting supports, educational resources, and engagement activities that foster emotional development, resilience, and early literacy.
• Help build a model that can grow over time and support future expansion.

Parent & Caregiver Support

• Provide direct support, coaching, and resources to parents, helping them strengthen parenting skills and parent-child relationships.
• Facilitate workshops, conversations, and activities that support caregivers navigating trauma, stress, and systemic barriers.
• Ensure programming reflects an understanding of the intersectional challenges faced by survivors and young mothers.

Child-Centered Activities

• Develop and oversee activities aligned with best practices in child development, including play-based and creative learning.
• Create activity plans and calendars for children participating in programming.
• Facilitate or supervise child-friendly activities and support staff in delivering developmentally grounded, trauma-informed engagement.

Partnerships & Advocacy

• Build relationships with organizations specializing in child development, early education, and family support.
• Help families access special education services, therapeutic supports, and neurodivergent-friendly resources.
• Advocate for best practices in supporting children who have experienced trauma or witnessed violence.

Program Learning & Improvement

• Track participation, outcomes, and program data, and use evaluation findings to refine and strengthen programming over time.

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking someone who brings:

• Experience working with children and families impacted by trauma, poverty, or systemic barriers.
• Background in child development, early childhood education, social work, mental health counseling, or a related field.
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), MSW working toward clinical licensure, or comparable experience working therapeutically with families.
• Experience supporting survivors of domestic violence, teen parents, or families navigating complex trauma is strongly valued.
• Understanding of how gender, violence, and systemic inequities affect young mothers and children.
• Strong communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to supervise or mentor staff and support quality programming.

Experience with play therapy, art therapy, or therapeutic modalities for young children is a plus. Knowledge of neurodivergent development and learning differences is also valued. Lived experience relevant to GEMS’ mission is welcomed and valued. We are looking for someone who is thoughtful, collaborative, and genuinely committed to work that supports the well-being and development of both young mothers and their children.

• 403(b)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance