October 5, 2022

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.  

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 is Back!

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 are open through October 14. More info below.

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. 

1. Parent and Provider Stressors & Barriers *

For the month of October, this CoP will be held on Wednesday, October 12 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. In this CoP, we will be identifying key stressors and barriers your families may currently be facing, as well as identifying and practicing strategies to solve these barriers. Topics will vary. Click here to sign up or log in to Trust Academy!

2. Recruitment, Outreach & Creating Support Networks *

This CoP will be held on Thursday, October 6 from 10-11 a.m. In this CoP, we will work collaboratively to create networks of outreach and referrals across parenting providers in the community and discuss program recruitment strategies. You will have the opportunity to get to know other community providers, share information, and support one another. Click here to sign up or log in to Trust Academy!

3. 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 

Differentiated Literacy Instruction 

October 6, from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Attention Certified Teachers! Learn how to use data from the ORF and Maze assessments to identify struggling readers and to develop reading intervention plans unique to each student. Attendees will also learn how to create a plan of action to differentiate reading instruction.

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:

• SCOIR Planning Tool, Oct. 6, 6-7 p.m.

• NACAC Virtual College Fair, Oct. 9, 1-6 p.m.

• Ivy League and Highly Selective Institutions, Oct. 10, 6-7 p.m.

• State University System, Oct. 12, 7-9 p.m.

• 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:

PACE Group Parenting Classes at Institute for Child and Family Health 

PACE group parenting classes for parents of children 0 to 6 years old are kicking off in October. The classes are offered in preschool or child care centers as well as virtually for the parents who are interested. Please contact us at Lgrava@icfhinc.org for more information.

FIU Research Study for Parents and Infants Looking for Participants 

The PANTHERS Project is looking for participants! Families with a child between the ages of 12 to 18 months may be eligible to receive free behavior and development services and compensation of up to $575. English and Spanish families welcome! Questions? Interested? Contact them at 305.520.9713 or email below:

FREE Education and Early Intervention Mental Health Programs 

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.

Available Mental Health Services for Families with Low-Income

The Institute for Child and Family Health (ICFH) provides mental health services including individual/family therapy and psychiatry for children and adolescents in Miami-Dade County. The institute accepts most Medicaid HMO’s and has funding for children of low-income families who do not have insurance. ICFH also provides individual/family therapy and psychiatry services for adults who have Medicaid. For more information call 305.274.3172.

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.

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 Overtown Youth Center 

Data Compliance Officer 

OYC is hiring a full-time data compliance officer who will successfully manage program data tracking systems for youth and family programming and ensure that all contracts are in compliance. This role involves overseeing the quality assurance process and assistance with preparation of reports for funders outlining program performance. Experience with managing data compliance for local, State, and Federal grants is preferred.

Enrichment Instructors 

OYC seeks to have part-time enrichment instructors on staff that specialize in one or more of these areas: STEM, Dance, Music, Spoken Word/Poetry/Creative Writing, Art, Drama, and Photography. The Enrichment Instructor is at liberty to implement and explore their creative freedoms, while ensuring that the appropriate curriculum is being utilized to provide quality instruction that prepares students for showcases, art or science installations, and/or professionally-produced performances.

Teachers 

OYC is hiring part-time teachers to provide homework assistance and differentiated literacy instruction during after-school programming. Site locations are available in Overtown, Little Haiti, and Miami Gardens.

Coordinators 

OYC is hiring a Part-time Coordinator to work with Elementary-age students in order to inspire, empower and enriches the lives of students and families. The Part-time Coordinator will successfully assist in managing program components that lead to positive outcomes for the children and families we serve. Work hours included afternoons between 1 and 7 pm on weekdays and between 9 am and 2 pm on weekends as needed.

Americorp Members 

OYC is hiring Part-Time Americorp Members who will serve as Success Coaches working at after-school program sites. As a Success Coach, members will serve as a mentor for students in order to inspire, motivate, and challenge them. Success Coaches will support college and career readiness, student development and retention services while ensuring high quality learning. Service hours are from 3-7 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. on weekends as needed. Success coaches receive a stipend for their service.

Senior Accountant

The Overtown Youth Center (OYC) is looking for a senior accountant whose responsibilities will include reconciling account balances and bank statements, maintaining general ledger and preparing month-end close procedures. A successful senior accountant combines excellent analytical skills with a thorough knowledge of accounting principles to analyze financial reports and forecasts. Must have experience in Quickbooks. Competitive salary based on experience.