October 12, 2022

Volunteer Reviewers Needed for Funding Applications 

The Children's Trust is seeking volunteers to review funding applications. Requirements include: 

• Active and interested in improving the community
• Reside in and familiar with Miami-Dade
• At least 18 years of age
• English language fluency (written and spoken)
• Ability to utilize online application system
• Ability to carefully read applications and write feedback
• Attend training and debriefing meetings
• Commit 20-30 hours total time over four week period

Help us determine the programs that have the highest impact in the community. For details, visit link below: 

Program Management Leadership Academy Application Extended! *

Are you a program manager or supervisor at a Trust-funded program ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? Join Leadership Academy, a 9-month program that includes monthly workshops, peer learning sessions, assignments, and a panel discussion with community leaders.

Criteria to qualify:

• Position in a program funded by The Children's Trust
• Have direct impact on or supervise direct service staff members
• Commit to attend all program sessions

Applications deadline EXTENDED through November 21. More info below.

Updated Child/Youth and Adult Forms 

The child/youth and adult participant forms have been updated. Please use the updated forms moving forward. Updates include:  

• Formatting and logo updates 
• Ordering of the fields to match Trust Central and facilitate data entry 

Additionally, in the Trust Central Participants Module, you will notice the field previously known as “Case” is relabeled to “Family." There are no changes to data entry expectations. If you have any questions, please reach out to your program manager.  

The forms can be found below:

Download New ORF Assessments for This School Year 

Many Youth Development providers have begun K-5 ORF assessments. If you have not already done so, please be sure to download the new ORF assessment probes on the Resources tab on Trust Academy which are updated yearly.

This year, for K-3, there has been a minor change. Instead of using the same text passage for the pre, mid and post testing periods, we have been provided with three new passages. They are labeled Fall, Winter, and Spring. You should plan to use the Fall passage* for the pre-test, the Winter passage for the mid-test and the Spring passage for the post-test and summer camp assessments. For further questions, contact Project RISE or your program manager.

*Good news! If you forgot to download the new assessments, the Fall passage is the same as last year's passage.  

Grant Opportunities for Youth Development Providers 

Funding will soon be available for high-quality after-school programs and summer camps in Miami-Dade County for children and youth from K-12th grade that offer enrichment activities in: 

• Arts & Culture
• Health & Wellness
• Sports
• STEM
• Supports for Post-secondary Success

The solicitation will be released Oct. 26, with a Bidders' Conference & Application Training on Nov. 4. Question submission deadline is Dec. 8. Application deadline is Dec. 14.

For more information click below:

The Trust's Community Parent Survey Update: Help Us Reach All Parents 

We now have more than 2,500 parent responses to our anonymous online community survey about parents' needs and interests that we will use to inform future investments. We are still looking for more parents across the community in these groups to ensure that we have a representative sample of our community:

• Hispanic, African American and Haitian parents
• Parents with high school education level or less
• Parents ages 18-29 years
• Parents who were not born in the US
• Parents with household incomes of less than $25,000/year

The survey is for parents of children prenatal through 18 years old, living in Miami-Dade County and is available in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole. It should take 15 minutes or less to complete. Parents who complete the survey will be able to enter to win a $50 Target gift card. The survey link is below. If you have ways of reaching more parents in the above groups, help The Trust spread the word by sharing out our community survey flyer available in the Survey Toolkit linked below.

New Online UM Team COACH Communities of Practice 

Team COACH Communities of Practice: Join a community where Parenting Providers support one another, share best practices and deepen their knowledge. We want to hear what you want to see within our CoPs! Feel free to attend any of the meetings below or email us with your comments and suggestions! CoPs are currently being offered virtually. 

Practical Strategies and Equipment for Hybrid Delivery of Services 

The next CoP will be held on Thursday, October 13, from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Flexible delivery of services is more important than ever. Within this community of practice, we will discuss practical strategies for engaging caregivers and children during hybrid sessions in which some participants are attending in-person and virtually. Click here to sign up or log in to Trust Academy!

Helping Caregivers Overcome Anxiety in Parenting Programs

Are the caregivers that you work with really anxious or stressed? Are you looking for a plan to help you deal with caregiver anxiety? Then this is the course for you! This course provides step-by-step instructions and resources for parenting program providers to work with anxious parents. This course will teach providers how to ask about caregiver anxiety and how to help caregivers who are anxious. 

This online training course is available on Trust Academy and is appropriate for family service direct program staff and administrators. If you have any questions, please contact teamcoach@miami.edu.

For more information contact teamcoach@miami.edu.

Register Now for Upcoming Virtual Training Opportunities from Project RISE

Structure and Clear Limits

October 19, from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Ever wonder why some children participate in engaging activities while others put their head down on the table? In this training, youth development program staff will learn to recognize and respond to youth needs by creating routines and establishing effective guidelines and consequences that will result in positive youth engagement. 

Register on Trust Academy below:

'Inclusion Reimagined' Course from Advocacy Network on Disabilities

These 3 Online Courses are always available through Trust Academy.

Inclusion Reimagined - This updated training reflects new and changing ways of thinking about disabilities, people with disabilities, and inclusion. Many of the ideas that until recently, were considered best practice and acceptable, no longer are. Inclusion Reimagined becomes the new core course in the Advocacy Network’s portfolio and is recommended for all levels of staff in any initiative. You can access it through Trust Central.

Understanding The Children’s Trust Guidelines for Including Children with Disabilities - Did you know that to address the needs of children and youth with disabilities, there are options for modifying outcome measures? Discover what is meant by accommodation, modification, alternate assessment, and alternate outcomes. Learn when they are appropriate for program participants, and how to request permission to use them.

Successful Inclusion of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Part 1

You hear a lot about it, but do you really know what Autism Spectrum Disorder is, and the different ways it appears in different children and youth? Learn the facts, and how to recognize and accommodate those with sensory sensitivities, foster social competence, address bullying, and ensure a safe environment.

This online course is a pre-requisite for Successful Inclusion of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Part 2.

To register for any of these trainings visit https://collabornation.net/login

or go to https://trustcentral.org and click on the Trust Academy link

Also available: Coaching, Technical Assistance, and help working with an individual child or youth. Contact your Inclusion Specialist or Pat Donovan (pdonovan@advocacynetwork.org). 

Say Yes to Becoming a Refugee Minor Foster Parent 

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami, Inc. Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Program serves vulnerable minors entering the United States without their families. Because they are far from home, they need the special care of foster families to assist in their self-sufficiency journey. We need families to foster minors from Afghanistan, Central America and Haiti.

For more information on how to become a foster parent, please call or text Monica Farias at 786.280.1072 or email her below: 

October is College Month; Get Students Ready with Virtual Workshops 

Help your students and families get a jump start on how to pay and apply for college or technical school by joining one of these October virtual workshops. Miami-Dade County Public Schools is offering virtual College Fairs and College Preparation Workshops for parents and students. Workshops titles and links below:

• M-DCPS Technical College Fair (in-person), Oct. 14, noon to 6 p.m.; Oct.15, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; Miami-Dade County Fair & Expo Center, 10901 Coral Way, Miami, 33165.

• HBCU Fair (Florida), Oct.17, 6-8 p.m.

• Transitioning to College for Students with Disabilities, Oct. 19, 6-7 p.m.

• Getting the Most Money to Pay for College, Oct. 20, 6-7 p.m.

• Ask Me Anything (AMA): CAP Program Edition, Oct. 25, 6-7 p.m.

• Postsecondary Planning for Underclassmen, Oct. 26, 6-7 p.m.

• HBCU Fair (Out-of-State), Oct. 27, 6-8 p.m.

For more information, click below for flyer.

FREE Community Event for Youth from Youth Career Institute 

The Mentoring Hour for high school students is live Mondays at 3:30 p.m. for career prep, mentoring and guest speakers. Earn service hours, internships and scholarships. Space is limited. Call Youth Career Institute 786.565.7227. Enroll today at link below:

Join community service providers at these free, upcoming online trainings:

• Children with Problematic Sexual Behavior: Oct. 18
• Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children 101: Oct. 20

Email below for more information on how to register.

Research & Evaluation Analyst at The Children's Trust

The Research and Evaluation Analyst is a critical member of both cross- and inter-departmental teams at The Children’s Trust who engages in proactive problem-solving and critical thinking/analysis related to the design and effectiveness of various child, youth and family services. Primary responsibilities include: contributing to effective program and systems designs for The Children’s Trust’s priority investments in child, youth and family services; designing and maintaining sound data collection tools and systems to capture meaningful program, operational and community data in a user-friendly, accessible manner; and analyzing and making meaning from available data to tell our stories using compelling visualizations and reports, with an intentional focus on the specific audience and purpose of the message.

Available Positions at Family Resource Center of South Florida * 

Family Resource Center of South Florida (FRC) is hiring! They are looking for full-time employees to support their team in the following available positions: transportation specialist (driver), certified full case managers, full case manager specialist and parenting facilitator. FRC offers a rich benefit packet, including 13 paid holidays, zero out of pocket for dental and vision, paid PTO, sick days, personal days, may qualify for PSLF and more! Interested candidates can apply at website below:

Step Above Academy Seeking Infant and Toddler Teachers *

The Step Above Academy is looking for passionate teachers qualified in the child care field, who are willing to have patience during all interactions with all children, while creating a positive environment. For more information email below:

Child and Family Specialist Needed at the Advocate Program 

The Advocate Program is seeking a full-time Child & Family Specialist to provide home-based services to families with exposure to family conflict (high conflict and/or domestic violence). Position must have strong clinical assessment skills with a minimum of two years working with children and families. Bi-lingual: English/Spanish, English/Creole. Master’s degrees in social work, psychology, or related field. Send emais to link below: 

Available Positions at Miami Lighthouse for the Blind 

Teacher Assistant 

The Teacher Assistant position provides essential support to the Miami Lighthouse Academy Program. This includes assisting assigned classroom teachers with daily routines and transitions between activities. In addition, assists with instructing students and facilitating their learning. To see a full job description, required qualifications and application link visit link below.

Children Specialist 

The Children Specialist position provides essential support to Miami Lighthouse Academy. Primary responsibilities include comprehensive rehabilitation/developmental training and family/home intervention services to children (aged birth to 6 years of age) and their families. To see a full job description, required qualifications and application link, visit link below.

Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program Coordinator

This key position supports the Florida Heiken Children’s Vision Program and is responsible for coordinating the day-to-day office and clinical operations. It also carries the major responsibilities for coordinating and scheduling IVP visits as well as serving as a liaison to school personnel and third-party administrators. To view a full job description, required qualifications and link to apply, visit link below.

Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program Customer Service 

This Customer Service position supports the Florida Heiken Children’s Vision Program and is responsible for providing administrative and customer service support to the department. To view a full job description, required qualifications and link to apply, visit link below.

Optometric Technician Driver 

The Optometric Technician Driver provides support to the Florida Heiken Children’s Vision Program. This position is primarily responsible for driving eye care mobile units and assisting Optometric Physicians to administer comprehensive eye exams and eyeglasses to low-income children throughout the state. To see a full job description, required qualifications and application link, visit link below. 

Site Coordinator - Teen Parent Home Visiting Program at FSU Young Parents Project 

FSU Young Parents Project seeks a Site Coordinator to assist the Project Director with a home visiting project for court-involved teen parents and children in Miami-Dade & Broward counties.  Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree in Social Work, counseling or related field with three years’ experience in working with families. Flexible schedule, reliable transportation, and Level 2 background check required. Apply at FSU Careers below:

Available Positions at Breakthrough Miami *

Lead Program Officer *

Advancing the organization’s vision, goals and program models, the Lead Program Officer oversees, coaches, and supports Breakthrough Miami’s site directors, who are embedded on multiple sites across Miami. Working collaboratively with program leadership, the Lead Program Officer helps inform and develop program implementation strategies to support site teams in achieving program goals, outcomes, and impact. They serve in a leadership role to build and nurture organizational culture and learning, maximize the strengths of team members, and create systems for continuous improvement. The Lead Program Officer designs and leads onboarding, professional development, workplans, evaluations, and coaching of site staff. Additionally, in collaboration with program leadership, they support the design, oversight and performance of cross-functional teams advancing major areas of work including recruitment, organizational-wide events, and family services. The Lead Program Officer works with site directors to improve program fidelity, operational efficiencies, leadership and management skills, and the quality of program delivery.

The individual in this role is a natural leader who is detail-oriented, self-directed, has excellent interpersonal communication skills and can handle multiple projects within a dynamic work schedule.

Director of Training *

The Director will have primary operational oversight of Breakthrough Miami’s training experiences and contract activities that align with best practices in the field of youth development, education, social emotional wellness, Diversity Equity and Inclusion, and college readiness. The Director will be responsible for leading and managing external training contracts, including Breakthrough Miami’s work as a Trust Academy Quality Assurance Training Partner. The Director will also support impactful professional development for Breakthrough Teaching Fellows, Volunteers, Success Coaches.

The framework for the body of work as a Trust Academy training partner focuses on High-Quality Program Practices, and Strong Foundations. Within these two areas, key strands will take Providers through a scaffolded professional development experience designed to provide dynamic, relevant, and evolving content, through tiers of courses, live trainings, peer learning communities and coaching. The High-Quality Program Practices area provides direct-service knowledge, techniques, strategies, and reflection time through strands focused on Engaged and Active Learning; Youth Voice, Choice and Leadership; and Community, Culture and Well-being. Strong Foundations focuses on Provider's organizational capacity through strands focused on Outcomes-driven data; Coaching & Management; and Knowledge Behind the Practice. 

The individual in this role has demonstrated success in training, coaching and professional development; has excellent public speaking and writing skills; and takes initiative, identifies needs, and implements solutions.

Assistant Site Director *

The Assistant Site Director (ASD) is responsible for the efficient and effective delivery of programs and services that most directly affect Breakthrough Miami Scholars and families. An ASD oversees campus or site logistics, unpaid student volunteers and some stipended positions, such as Teaching Fellows. As an ambassador of the program, the ASD builds supportive relationships with students, parents, schools, the community and other stakeholders to ensure the academic and socio-enrichment success of all Breakthrough Scholars. 

The individual in this role is organized, self-motivated and collaborative, with strong communication skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

For more detailed information on any of the job listed for Breakthrough Miami, please visit the Breakthrough Miami Careers page.  

How to apply: Please send a cover letter and resume to the attention of Nicole Gray, Business Manager at careers@breakthroughmiami.org.