STARS Connector

Starting Salary Range: $40,000 - $43,500

As a poverty-reduction initiative, Agape, through its place-based strategy, Powerlines Community Network (PCN), implements a Two-Generation paradigm designed to strengthen student, family, and community flourishing. The STARS Connector works within an identified school, managing a caseload of students while serving as a trusted bridge between students, families, schools, and community resources. Through the integration of the Science of Hope framework and Human Flourishing principles, the STARS Connector helps students and families build agency, identify pathways toward goals, and strengthen resilience and overall well-being.

The STARS Connector provides individualized, trauma-informed, resilience-building, and hope-centered interventions that address referral concerns while supporting student and family goals. The Connector builds strong relationships with students, caregivers, school staff, and community partners to foster belonging, engagement, and positive outcomes.

Responsibilities include assessing student and family needs; coordinating supports related to health, mental wellness, housing, education, employment, and other wraparound services; documenting case notes and data in CaseWorthy; and ensuring program quality, transparency, and accurate reporting.

The STARS Connector must demonstrate strong interpersonal, organizational, and time-management skills, with the ability to work independently, collaboratively, and in partnership with schools and community stakeholders to advance Agape’s mission of hope, stability, and flourishing.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Conduct and update individual/family needs assessment with each family’s participation to develop an individualized service plan for youth and family involved, noting needed, desired, and requested services and resources.

• Provide two-generational, family-driven, and strength-based services to youth and families grounded in the Science of Hope and Human Flourishing frameworks, helping students and families identify meaningful goals, develop clear pathways toward those goals, and strengthen the agency and willpower needed to sustain long-term well-being, stability, and flourishing.

• Focus on specific programmatic obligations, goals, and objectives, align with voice and choice of families (social and economic goals).

• Facilitate the connection and engagement of two-generational families to services needed, i.e. educational, mental health, substance abuse, workforce development, parenting/relational health (mentoring, gang resistance), homelessness, exposure to violence services, and other services provided through community agencies and resources.

• Arrange, coordinate, and monitor services related to meeting the needs of program participants to ensure stability and individual/family goal attainment as related to:
  • Improving attendance.
  • Improving behavior.
  • Improving parental engagement in school and students’ academic pursuits.

• Dealing with family crises as they arise.

• Coordinate events and activities onsite for program participants to encourage stability and individual/family goal attainment.

• Work in partnership with all departments and other agencies involved and through the Powerlines Community Network, led by Agape Child & Family Services.

• Maintain current and accurate documentation of services provided to youth and families based on various requirements and provide necessary data to Agape and partnering agencies, if agreed upon, for input into the appropriate data systems.

• Agape is a data-informed agency. The Stars Connector must accurately record data based on program standards and use data for continuous quality improvement for both school-based and site-based programs.

• Must be able to work with a flexible schedule, which would allow for needed interaction and involvement for the tasks of this position i.e. weekend and evening hours, etc.

• During the summer, when school is not in session, the Stars Connector will work to support Agape’s summer camp initiatives as well as maintain contact with their caseload students and their families.

• Complete internal reports and provide information concerning stability.

• Attend and represent Agape in appropriate meetings and training with other agencies.

• Attend Multidisciplinary Team Meetings and other in-service trainings provided by the agency.

• Attend regular supervisory and team meetings.

• Will perform all other duties, within the general scope of this position, as requested by the Connector Supervisor, Site Coordinator, the PCN Operations Director, or other members of Agape Leadership.

RECORD KEEPING:

• Maintain accurate and timely reports for case records according to Agape procedures and grant standards through data entry into Agape’s preferred data collection system and documentation in all required areas.
• Be prompt in initiating and replying to all correspondence and inquiries.
• Submit timely reports of all referrals and services to the Supervisor.
• Provide and use all the necessary required data for evaluation purposes.

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain positive and productive relationships with the teachers, staff, and administration in the assigned school.
• Participate in staff meetings, in-service training, and approved and planned relevant workshops, seminars, and training events.
• Participate in other Agency functions, i.e. community awareness events, advocacy activities, fundraising events, etc.
• Participate in agency planning and development, especially specific to programmatic related areas.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working at a computer.
• Prolonged walking and standing, and climbing stairs within schools and community sites. 
• Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds at a time.

Benefits & Perks:
We care about our team’s well-being and growth. Here are just a few of the benefits & perks that you can look forward to as part of our team:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Supplemental Insurance 
• 3 weeks of Paid Vacation 
• Paid Holidays, including your birthday
• 403B Retirement plan with an employer match
• Paid Parental Leave
• Tuition Reimbursement

And more! We’re committed to creating a workplace where you feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Bachelor’s degree in education, Social Work, or related field from an accredited college or university, with at least 2 years of relevant experience. The ideal candidate must have a demonstrated ability to work with a wide range of people, including children, and provide culturally competent service delivery. Demonstrated case management experience is preferred. Knowledge about community development and a passion for helping others. Must have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, demonstrated computer proficiency, including the use of Microsoft Office Suite and other software applications essential to this position. Should possess outstanding organizational and management skills and have proven ability as a problem solver and self-starter. Understanding data collection procedures and the aptitude for using data to inform decisions and processes. Must have an automobile available for business use and maintain a current driver’s license and current auto insurance with acceptable levels of coverage. Will be required to work a flexible schedule to include evenings and weekends as needed. Candidate must be willing to engage in Agape’s Performance Quality and Improvement (also known as Continuous Quality Improvement) standards of quality & excellence.