Family Engagement Coordinator

The Family Engagement Coordinator is responsible for developing, coordinating, and implementing meaningful family engagement opportunities that strengthen relationships between Next Door, enrolled families, prospective families, and the broader community. Reporting to the Director of Family Engagement and Enrollment, this position creates experiences that promote family well-being, leadership, school readiness, and long-term engagement with Next Door programs and community partners that can collaboratively support family needs.

This role serves as the primary coordinator for family events, parent leadership opportunities, community outreach activities, and recruitment initiatives that increase enrollment, strengthen retention, and foster strong partnerships with families before, during, and throughout their participation in Next Door programs.

Working collaboratively with Family Advocates, Parent Educators, Enrollment Specialists, teachers, Policy Council, and community organizations, this position ensures families have opportunities to build relationships, connect to resources, strengthen protective factors, and actively participate in their children's education.

The Coordinator advances the goals of the Head Start Parent, Family and Community Engagement (PFCE) Framework by supporting family leadership, promoting positive parent-child relationships, increasing family participation, and cultivating meaningful community partnerships that improve outcomes for children and families.

Responsibilities/Duties/Functions/Tasks

Family Engagement & Experiences

• Design, coordinate and implement a comprehensive annual calendar of family engagement opportunities across all Next Door sites and partner locations.
• Coordinate family events including educational workshops, literacy events, cultural celebrations, volunteer opportunities, parent appreciation events, family nights, and school readiness activities.
• Develop engaging experiences for:
  • currently enrolled families
  • families on the Head Start waiting list
  • prospective families interested in enrolling
• Ensure events support family well-being, child development, school readiness, literacy, health, and family leadership.
• Coordinate logistics, volunteers, vendors, transportation, food, childcare, and supplies necessary for successful events.

Recruitment & Family Retention

• Partner closely with Enrollment, Family Advocates, Parent Educators, and program leadership to develop creative recruitment strategies throughout Milwaukee.
• Coordinate outreach events that introduce families to Next Door services.
• Develop engagement opportunities specifically designed to keep waitlisted families connected until enrollment opportunities become available.
• Support recruitment campaigns through community events, neighborhood outreach, schools, healthcare providers, libraries, and community organizations.
• Assist with enrollment fairs, open houses, and orientation activities.
• Monitor participation and recommend strategies that improve family retention and ongoing engagement.

Parent Leadership & Policy Council

• Coordinate and support Parent Policy Council meetings, leadership development opportunities, and parent governance activities.
• Assist with recruitment of parent leaders.
• Coordinate leadership training for Policy Council representatives.
• Support family participation in:
  • Wisconsin Head Start Association events
  • advocacy activities
  • Day at the Capitol
  • family leadership conferences
  • community initiatives
• Create opportunities for parents to serve as ambassadors for Next Door.

Community Partnerships

• Develop and maintain strong partnerships with community organizations that support children and families.
• Coordinate community resource fairs and collaborative family events.
• Identify organizations that can provide educational workshops, health resources, financial literacy, workforce development, housing supports, literacy initiatives, recreation opportunities, and family enrichment activities.
• Serve as the liaison between Next Door and community partners supporting family engagement efforts.
• Represent Next Door at community meetings and outreach events.

Cross-Department Collaboration

Work collaboratively with the following below to coordinate cohesive family engagement efforts across the organization:

• Director of Family Engagement & Enrollment
• Family Advocates
• Parent Educators
• Enrollment Team
• Education staff
• Site Directors
• Health Services
• Disabilities Services
• Mental Health
• Communications
• Development
• Community partners

Data, Evaluation & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain participation records for family engagement activities within ChildPlus or designated data systems.
• Track attendance, participation, recruitment outcomes, retention efforts, and family satisfaction.
• Analyze participation trends and recommend improvements.
• Prepare reports demonstrating progress toward Head Start family engagement outcomes.
• Participate in self-assessment, continuous quality improvement, and federal monitoring preparation.

Additional Responsibilities

• Promote parent-child relationships through meaningful family experiences.
• Encourage parent involvement in children's education.
• Increase family voice and shared decision-making throughout the organization.
• Support recruitment and enrollment initiatives.
• Assist with orientation and transition activities.
• Participate in interdisciplinary meetings as appropriate.
• Ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and PFCE expectations.
• Maintain positive relationships with families from diverse backgrounds.
• Support the mission, vision, and values of Next Door.