Family Empowerment Coach, United for Families Program

United Way; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

United Way is seeking a Family Empowerment Coach to deliver direct services to families in a school-based setting. You will engage families through assessment, service planning, and ongoing coaching to address housing stability, economic mobility, and children’s educational success.

Utilize a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach to provide wraparound support, document progress, and coordinate with school staff to connect families with essential resources and services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work or related field is required or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 3 years of experience working with families or underserved populations preferred.
• Experience in financial coaching, workforce development, or housing stability services preferred.
• Experience in school-based, family support, or community-based human services setting preferred.
• Experience working with diverse communities required.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, screen, and enroll eligible families into the United for Families Program.
• Build trusting relationships using a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach.
• Conduct intake assessments to identify family strengths, needs, and goals.
• Co-develop service plans with measurable outcomes.
• Provide ongoing coaching and support to help families achieve stability and self-sufficiency.
• Support families in developing problem-solving, decision-making, and self-advocacy skills.
• Connect families to school-based and community resources (housing, employment, education, childcare, healthcare, transportation, basic needs).
• Assist families with accessing financial supports and hardship funding.
• Provide basic financial coaching including budgeting and goal-setting.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Counseling, or related field

Job description

Job Summary:

The Family Empowerment Coach is responsible for delivering direct services to families through engagement, assessment, service planning, and ongoing coaching. This role partners with families to identify strengths, address barriers, and achieve goals related to housing stability, economic mobility, and children's educational success.

Using a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach, the Family Empowerment Coach provides individualized, wraparound support and connects families to critical resources. The position also ensures accurate documentation, data tracking, and timely reporting to support program outcomes and continuous quality improvement.

This position is based in a school setting and requires regular collaboration with school administrators, teachers, counselors, social workers, and other school-based staff to identify and support eligible families.

General Responsibilities

• Recruit, screen, and enroll eligible families into the United for Families Program
• Build trusting, respectful relationships using a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach
• Conduct comprehensive intake assessments to identify family strengths, needs, and goals
• Co-develop individualized service plans with measurable outcomes
• Provide ongoing coaching and support to help families achieve stability and self-sufficiency
• Support families in developing problem-solving, decision-making, and self-advocacy skills

Service Coordination & Resource Navigation

• Connect families to appropriate school-based and community resources, including housing, employment, education, childcare, healthcare, transportation, and basic needs supports
• Assist families with accessing financial supports, such as security deposits, moving costs, emergency assistance, and hardship funding
• Provide basic financial coaching, including budgeting, goal-setting, and support with building financial stability
• Partner with school administrators, teachers, counselors, social workers, and other school staff to identify eligible families, coordinate supports, and promote student attendance, stability, and family engagement
• Support children's educational stability by helping families address barriers related to transportation, school continuity, supplies, and access to school-based services
• Facilitate enrollment in partner programs, including ASSET, and monitor family participation and progress

Documentation, Data & Reporting

• Maintain complete, accurate, and timely case records in designated data systems
• Ensure all required eligibility documentation and forms are properly collected and recorded
• Track family progress and update service plans regularly
• Contribute to monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting requirements
• Support data collection and outcomes tracking to meet program performance standards

Collaboration & Continuous Quality Improvement

• Participate in team meetings, case reviews, and supervision
• Collaborate with internal staff, volunteers, and community partners
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders and funders as needed
• Identify opportunities to improve service delivery and contribute to Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) efforts

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Counseling, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience required
• Minimum of 3 years of experience working with families or underserved populations preferred
• Experience in financial coaching, workforce development, or housing stability services preferred
• Experience working in a school-based, family support, or community-based human services setting preferred.
• Experience working with diverse communities required