Parent Organizer

In 1996, Advocates for Justice and Education, Inc. (AJE) was created to increase parental participation in their children's education. AJE's mission is to empower families, youth, and the community to be effective advocates to ensure that children and youth - particularly those with disabilities and special health care needs - receive access to appropriate education and health services. AJE has designed all its programs and services to increase parents' knowledge and capacity to advocate for their children and build community power to achieve systems change, eliminate barriers, and dismantle educational and health inequities in DC. We utilize a multi-strategy approach to achieve our mission: Direct Services to address a family's immediate issue; Training to increase parents' knowledge and capacity to self-advocate; and Advocacy, in partnership with families and other stakeholder partners, to bring about systemic changes through policy, legislation, and litigation.

JOB SUMMARY: Over the last three years, AJE has implemented a health equity project to address systemic health inequities affecting underserved and marginalized communities, particularly children and youth with disabilities and special health care needs living in targeted DC wards, through parent-led advocacy efforts. The parent organizer’s primary focus will be on organizing grassroots engagement for this project, assisting in carrying out various project activities relating to parent-led advocacy efforts on addressing health disparities, including outreach, recruitment of parents, parent training, and knowledge-building to enable parents to effectively serve on the community health advisory panel as community health ambassadors (CHAs).

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

This description incorporates the core responsibilities of the position. It is recognized that other related duties not specifically mentioned might also be performed and that not all responsibilities may be carried out depending on operational needs. Additionally, this position has flexible hours and a non-traditional work schedule (working some evenings and weekends will be necessary).

The incumbent in this position will:

• Build a base of grassroots activists across targeted DC wards to support AJE’s issues and priorities.
• Organize opportunities for grassroots engagement on healthcare advocacy/policy campaigns and in movement building work.
• Support the identification and coordination of community health ambassadors (CHAs).
• Conduct education and training modules for community leaders that provide them with skills and deepens their understanding of the healthcare system as it relates to the intersectionality of socio-economic status, race, nationality, disability, and culture. Conduct education and training modules on general principles of organizing and advocacy.
• Conduct weekly one-on-ones with parent panel members (CHAs)
• Track and monitor CHAs activities and time for stipend payments.
• Develop a supportive network of CHAs
• Lead a series of wellness activities to create necessary bonding, habit-building exercises through hosting parent cafes and/or wellness circles to strengthen the group’s cohesiveness for effective engagement.
• Support identified community leaders in the planning and hosting of Community/Parent Cafés and Community Health Advisory meetings.
• Build durable relationships with key leaders of allied organizations to ensure alignment around AJE campaign goals and tactics.
• Participate in the development and facilitation of diverse and powerful coalition efforts and other legislative campaigns as identified by the Health Equity Project Director.
• Support the drafting and implementation of campaign plans for specific projects.
• Conduct outreach and develop compelling narratives around our campaigns and ensure all actions and messaging reinforce our brand and values.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least two years of experience in community organizing, that engages the public in healthcare-related policies.
• Experience in developing a grassroots membership base and executing field programs around public health.
• Proven skills in working and communicating with diverse communities, especially with working class and communities of color with low income.
• A commitment to a progressive vision of racial, social, and economic justice and deep understanding of how these intersect, especially around issues of healthcare, education and disability.
• The ability to plan and manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• The ability to communicate and work effectively within a team and in partnership with other organizations.
• The drive to try innovative tactics and experiment with new forms of organizing.
• The ability to be a motivated self-starter.

PREFERRED, BUT NOT REQUIRED:

• Familiarity with the unique challenges facing DC communities.
• Familiarity with early childhood development issues, including early intervention services, either through lived experience or an understanding of policy.
• Familiarity with special education and disability service delivery systems, either through lived experience or an understanding of policy.
• The ability to read, write, and speak Spanish.
• The ability to be comfortable working with the press, as well as with social media and email communications.

Advocates for Justice and Education is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strongly encourage women, persons of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, persons with disabilities, and persons from other underrepresented groups to apply.