Inclusion & Community Care Manager Full Time NEW

Company Description

J Los Angeles has been a vibrant part of the Los Angeles community for over 70 years, originally established in 1954 as the Westside Jewish Community Center. With a mission to enrich lives through impactful programming, education, and meaningful connections, J Los Angeles represents a cornerstone of cultural and communal engagement in the city. In 2023, the organization embraced a rebrand to J Los Angeles, signaling a commitment to a modernized identity and its role in shaping the Jewish future in Los Angeles. Based in a diverse and dynamic city, the organization remains dedicated to fostering community and inclusion.

Department: Programs / Community Care

Classification: Full-Time, Exempt (37.5 hours/week)

Reports To: Senior Program Director

Salary Range: $70,304 – $80,000

Position Summary

The Inclusion & Community Care Manager advances The J Los Angeles’ commitment to inclusive, supportive, and community-centered programming by providing neurodiversity- and mental health-informed guidance, resources, and direct support to participants, families, and staff across early childhood, youth, teen, and family programs. This role operates as both a strategic leader and hands-on practitioner, developing and implementing individualized care plans, strengthening staff capacity through coaching and training, and partnering with external providers to ensure continuity of care. Grounded in organizational values, the position integrates social-emotional learning, mental health best practices, and community care frameworks into program delivery to ensure all participants are meaningfully included and supported to thrive.

In practice, the role conducts participant intakes and assessments, develops and documents individualized support plans, and provides direct behavioral and social-emotional support across programs. The Manager partners closely with families to navigate resources, coordinate with external service providers, and maintain alignment between home, school, and care systems. The position collaborates cross-functionally with all program staff to embed inclusive practices, offers real-time consultation and coaching, and contributes to program planning and evaluation. Additionally, the role supports seasonal programming as a Camper Care Specialist, providing onsite support and implementing strategies to enhance participant success and staff effectiveness.

Essential Functions

Supporting Day Camp Programs with the following (35%):

Training, Education & Capacity Building

• Design and facilitate training workshops for staff, families, and participants on mental health, social-emotional development, and inclusive practices.
• Develop tools, resources, and guides to strengthen staff capacity in supporting diverse participant needs.
• Provide ongoing coaching and follow-up support to reinforce training outcomes.

Program Development & Community Programming

• Design and implement community-based programs aligned with inclusion and mental health needs (e.g., Baby & Me programming).
• Support and contribute to family and community engagement initiatives, including JCelebrates events and holiday programming.
• Contribute to curriculum development and instruction within JExplorers and other youth leadership programs.

Partnerships & External Resource Coordination

• Build and maintain relationships with external service providers, agencies, and community partners.
• Coordinate referrals and ensure continuity of care across internal and external services.
• Collaborate with partner organizations to expand access to resources and support services.

Grant Compliance & Program Administration

• Ensure compliance with grant requirements, including documentation, reporting, and program deliverables.
• Track and report on program outcomes related to inclusion and community care initiatives.
• Maintain organized records and ensure confidentiality of participant information in alignment with applicable laws and best practices.

Supporting the Early Childhood Center (ECC) with the following (65%):

Social-Emotional Learning & Mindfulness Instruction

·      Design and lead weekly, developmentally appropriate social-emotional learning (SEL) and mindfulness lessons for children (infant through age 5).

·      Utilize evidence-based practices to support emotional regulation, self-awareness, peer interaction, and early coping skills, while adapting content to meet diverse developmental and neurodiverse needs.

·      Collaborate with teaching staff to reinforce SEL concepts within daily classroom routines and transitions.

Family Partnership & Care Coordination

·      Partner proactively with families of preschool-aged children with identified developmental, behavioral, or social-emotional needs, including those receiving external therapies (e.g., speech, occupational, behavioral services).

·      Coordinate scheduling and communication between families, therapists, and teachers, and program staff to ensure continuity of care.

·      Provide guidance, resources, and progress updates to families, supporting alignment between home, school, and external service providers.

Classroom Consultation & Behavioral Support

·      Provide real-time and ongoing support to classroom teachers in managing challenging behaviors and implementing inclusive practices.

·      Offer coaching on behavior management strategies, co-regulation techniques, and developmentally appropriate interventions.

·      Model effective approaches in the classroom as needed and assist in developing individualized strategies or support plans. Participate in parent-teacher conferences upon request to provide professional insight, reinforce strategies, and support collaborative problem-solving.

Parent Education & Community Engagement

·      Plan, facilitate, and evaluate bi-monthly “Schmooze with the Social Worker” sessions for families, focusing on relevant topics such as child development, behavior, emotional regulation, parenting strategies, and mental health.

·      Create a welcoming, accessible environment that encourages parent engagement, peer connection, and community building.

·      Adapt topics based on emerging community needs and provide practical tools and resources for families to implement at home.

Required Qualifications

• Graduate-level degree in a mental health-related field (e.g., Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Marriage & Family Therapy, or related discipline).
• Post-graduate professional experience in a related field.
• Minimum of 4 years’ experience working with children, youth, and families in a clinical, educational, or community-based setting.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with diverse populations.
• Demonstrated ability to provide coaching, guidance, and support to staff.
• Knowledge of community resources, referral systems, and care coordination practices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in nonprofit, educational, or community-based organizations.
• Familiarity with early childhood development and youth programming.
• Experience designing and facilitating trainings or workshops.
• Understanding of Jewish values, traditions, and community-based programming.
• Bilingual or multilingual capabilities (preferred but not required).

Core Competencies

• Empathy & Compassion
• Cultural Humility & Inclusion
• Communication & Collaboration
• Strategic Thinking & Problem-Solving
• Adaptability & Emotional Intelligence
• Program Development & Facilitation