Volunteer and Career Opportunities

Family Connection relies on its many volunteers to help us leverage the public, grant and private funds we receive to best serve families of children with disabilities and special needs throughout South Carolina.

There are a variety of ways to get involved, from helping at events and conferences to office tasks such as stuffing envelopes and conference packets. Assisting with children’s activities at family events and parent support groups is another option. Virtual opportunities are available during the pandemic. Please complete form below to get started!

Volunteering with Family Connection helps us continue to provide resources and services to more families!

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Volunteer Leadership

We are looking for volunteer leaders to help plan our annual LOOK! Photography Exhibit and Buddy Walk events. Specific areas of leadership we are looking for include:

• Logistics Chair

• Sponsorship Chairperson

• Communications Chairperson

Click the button below to view position descriptions!

Internships

Marketing and Events Intern

We are seeking an intern to assist with marketing communications activities to raise awareness and participation in our programs, events, and fundraising campaigns.

Volunteer Job Title: Marketing and Events Intern

Reports to: Marketing and Events Manager

Location:  Family Connection office located at 1800 St. Julian Place in Columbia. Some hours will be remote.

Hours: 6 – 10 hours per week. (2-3 shifts per week)

Position opens May 9th–flexible end date of August or later.
Click Apply Now for full description!

Career Opportunities

Bilingual Family Education Specialist – located in Lowcountry, SC

Overall Responsibility:

Under the supervision of the Director of Education and Family Support, the Family Education Specialist assists parents, caregivers, families, youth/individuals with disabilities in supporting and navigating systems of care, to include but not limited to, educational, healthcare, and training opportunities.

Major Tasks and Responsibilities:

 –Increase parents/families/providers/educators knowledge and skills to help parents/families improve their child’s early learning, school-aged, and post-secondary outcomes

  • -Provide one-on-one support and problem solving telephonically or in person concerning IFSP, IEP and/or disability issues
  • -Provide culturally appropriate information and resource referrals assistance and screen cases to identify those which may need more intensive individual support
  • -Must have the capability to learn and understand legal regulations of the IDEA, and be able to explain to parents, families, and professionals
  • Attend school meetings, at the request of the family, with the goal of empowering the family.
  • -Remain current on all SC and Federal Special Education laws.
  • -Maintain knowledge of state and national policy impacting education.
  • -Receive inquiries from parents of children with a disability or special healthcare needs and educate them on IDEA: Part C and Part B, ADA 504 Plans, and assist in referring to appropriate community resources, provide necessary internal referrals to specialty programs within the organization
  • -Serve as support and an advocate when there are identified problems in the system of care
  • -Assist in the development of training materials to help ensure that they are culturally and linguistically appropriate, family friendly, and written at a level most can understand
  • -Refer families for parent-to-parent support when appropriate
  • -Maintain up-to-date documentation into Salesforce, database
  • -Provide monthly reports as requested
  • -Maintain cooperative relationships and actions with other staff toward achieving the mission of the organization.
  • -Attend all staff meetings, including weekly case meetings.
  • -Provide staffing of the Family Information Center and take call as requested.
  • -Other duties as may be assigned

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Education, Early Childhood, Social Work, Masters preferred
  • Must be Bilingual in Spanish
  • The ability to be creative as well as a self-starter and self-motivated
  • Knowledge and experience in special education, Part C and/or Part B
  • Knowledge of community resources.
  • Demonstrated administrative, leadership, written and oral communication as well as public speaking skills.
  • Ability to work independently, prioritize work, maintain attention to detail.
  • Ability to maintain strict confidentiality
  • Demonstrated ability to keep timely, accurate records and maintain required data.
  • Demonstrated strong computer skills, including significant experience with Microsoft office suite (especially able to develop or modify trainings & create handouts using PowerPoint), internet-based programs, email, and database programs.
  • Light lifting required.
  • Knowledge of Microsoft
  • Personal vehicle for travel
  • This is a remote position in the Lowcountry area.

·       Parents of a child with a disability are encouraged to apply.