Strategic Initiatives Coordinator - Welcome, Inclusive, Diversity and Equity (WIDE)

Purpose
Cornerstones of Care is a behavioral healthcare organization providing prevention, treatment, and support services to children and their families. The children we serve have all experienced some kind of trauma through no fault of their own, such as abuse, neglect, or violence. Cornerstones of Care helps 15,000 children and families each year in Kansas, Missouri, and beyond, through youth & family support services, foster care & adoption, and education & training.
 
This position, Strategic Initiatives Coordinator – WIDE, will serve as lead in helping implement projects and execute priorities associated with the agency’s WIDE 3.0 Initiative. Welcome, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (WIDE) are paramount to the culture of Cornerstones of Care, in order to best meet the needs of a diverse client population in communities across Kansas, Missouri and beyond. This initiative began in 2019 and now in its third evolution, continues to advance the agency’s way of being by embedding WIDE values and practices in organizational culture.
 
This role will work with leaders associated with five existing task forces (recruitment and retention of human capital, client experience assessment, key community engagement, targeted training and board development) to further advance a series of projects and ideas, resulting from a two-year engagement of an outside consultant. The position will help further embed, execute and operationalize WIDE practices within agency operations, key functions, while ensuring WIDE opportunities and social learning is shared through strategic communication efforts.
 
The Strategic Initiatives Coordinator – WIDE role is a contract position for one-year, with the opportunity for renewal, pending private funding support. The role is currently allocated for up to 40% time (16 hours a week). 
 
SANCTUARY MODEL OF TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE
Cornerstones of Care is committed to the Sanctuary Model, a comprehensive trauma-informed method for creating change and helping individuals heal from traumatic experiences.  It is a whole system approach built around the framework of SELF (Safety, Emotional Management, Loss, and Future).  It is designed to facilitate the development of structures, processes, and behaviors on the part of staff, children, and the community that can counteract the physical and psychological wounds suffered by the children, youth, and families in our care. The ultimate outcome of a trauma informed philosophy is the creation of safe, therapeutic living and working environments for our clients, families, agency members and ancillary providers which espouse the proactive principles of growth, change, and empowerment of the individual for the betterment of the community.  Each team member has the responsibility to demonstrate the tenets of the Sanctuary Model in their work with clients and in their interaction with other team members.  Demonstrating these tenets is considered an essential responsibility for all staff in all positions in our company.
 
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Convene and facilitate the agency’s monthly WIDE Committee meetings for shared learning, progress reporting and problem-solving. In addition to helping recruit and on-board team members to serve on the WIDE Committee or associated task forces.
• Collaborate with task force chairs to schedule and convene internal meetings (monthly or as needed) to help advance priority projects and where necessary provide administrative and follow-up support.
• Communicate WIDE opportunities for education, self-learning, celebration and engagement – both internally and externally, in coordination with the marketing/communications team.
• Assist task forces with key projects – including but not limited to: client survey development and distribution for specific programs; evaluate existing data sets to identify trends/themes; support on-going learning opportunities around WIDE topics and where needed assist with targeted training needs for specific programs or essential personnel (managers, etc.); support agency-wide opportunities to promote the adoption of a WIDE lens in organizational program practices and operations; assist with the engagement of under-represented and diverse communities in the work of the agency through foster home recruitment and volunteer leader engagement in council/board roles; conduct team member survey to evaluate connection and belonging in the work culture; support the creation and launch of team member (employee) relations groups (ERGs) to provide connection for team members;
• Assist with budget monitoring and identify potential sources of funding to support on-going WIDE initiative work. 
• Help monitor legislative action and policy at the local, state and federal level, which may impact agency practices and policies associated with inclusion, access, diversity and equity in program areas and workplace environments.
• Identify and share success stories that advance our mission and support team members and the clients served by the agency.
• Create a system for tracking key performance indicators to gauge progress in achieving organizational outcomes associated with the WIDE task forces.

• Experience with project management, work plan implementation and monitoring plan progress.
• Appreciation for organizational values and commitment to creating a welcoming, inclusive, diverse and equitable culture.
• Prior experience working on projects associated with values of inclusion, diversity, equity and access or in environments that champion these values as part of an organization culture.
• Understanding of basic social services and/or child well-being programs and services.
• Knowledge of local, regional, and national funding sources.
• Proficient with various software programs, including Microsoft Office, Excel and Adobe Acrobat.

• Able to build and sustain trusting relationships with a variety of people. 
• Possess excellent writing and strategic thinking skills and be able to effectively and concisely communicate complex ideas to others.
• Familiar with public policy tracking and monitoring of legislative action. 
• Be highly organized and accountable, and possess a high level of integrity and professionalism.  

• Decisions on daily workflow.

• None

• Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Social Services, Psychology, Education, or similar degree.                

• 5 to 7 years in project management, consulting or programmatic position in the not-for-profit or related sector.

• Complete the agency’s Sanctuary training upon hire and start date in a timely manner.
• Have a valid driver’s license and proof of current vehicle insurance.
• Follow all agency policies.
• Be able to pass State Abuse, Neglect, and criminal background checks.
• Be able to carry out the essential functions of the position with, or without, accommodation.
• Perform all job duties in a manner which demonstrates a commitment to Sanctuary values and practices.
• Demonstrate awareness and understanding of cultural and ethnic diversity of clients, staff, and other community partners; and,
• Fulfill other duties as assigned.

• Ability to perform a range of physical motions including, but not limited to:
  • Lifting and carrying up to 25 lbs.
  • Standing, walking, sitting for long periods of time.
  • Kneeling, squatting, and stooping.

• None