Family Champion in Durham

Durham County Community Schools Partnerships: Family Champion Position, George L. Carrington Middle School

What is a Family Champion?

The Family Champion will foster a supportive and inclusive family environment by gathering feedback, providing resource access, and enhancing parent/guardian engagement and communication.

Key Responsibilities: Carrington Middle School

This role focuses on supporting the Community Schools team at Carrington through family communication and fostering relationships between family and school.

NOTE: Bilingual applicants are STRONGLY preferred for this position

Primary Responsibilities

1. Lead 2-way communication with families to increase caregiver involvement in school
   • Conduct regular phone calls and in-person one-on-one conversations with families to understand their experiences and needs related to the community school model, including potential visits to bus stops and key attendance centers/neighborhoods for the school
   • Support the Community Schools Coordinator with making contact, and documenting that contact with more than 90% of families during the 26-27 school year
   • Support the Community Schools Coordinator with interpretation and translation where possible
   • Support turnout for key family events, including social media contact
2. Build relationships with families to encourage continued participation in knowledge development opportunities
   • Increase caregiver involvement in the school by working closely with all school, caregiver, and community organizations.

Secondary Responsibilities

1. Provide Coverage and Support for the Family Resource Center (FRC)

2. • Serve as a welcoming and knowledgeable point of contact for students and families accessing the FRC

   • Support the maintenance, stocking, and data reporting for the FRC

   • Assist visitors with navigating available resources, including financial education tools, benefit applications, and other services.

Requirements

• Must be a parent or guardian of a current Carrington Middle School student

• Must pass all DPS-required background checks for volunteers in DPS schools

• Available to work for 2-6 hours weekly from September 2026 to June 2027

An ideal Family Champion has the following characteristics:

• Ability to think strategically, and to work independently

• Ability to work collaboratively and build relationships across racial and class lines

• Knowledge of public schools is preferred

• Experience convening groups of people is preferred

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suites

• Ability to communicate effectively, with a priority for an ability to communicate effectively in both English and Spanish

Position Benefits

• Opportunity to create a more equitable and supportive family environment

• Drive continuous improvement in services and resources available to students and families

• 1 part-time position, paid $25/hr for 2-6 hours of work a week

• • Position is paid monthly

Accountability and Management:

The Family Champion will function within a joint accountability structure, developing work plans and collaborating closely with Carrington’s Community School Coordinator, School administrators, and Student U staff. This position is housed within Student U, an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works with DPS school communities, public- and private-sector resources, and community leaders around strategies to implement the Full Service Community School model across North Carolina. The Family Champion will report directly to Carrington’s Community School Coordinator. Decisions related to hiring, evaluation, and management will be made collaboratively by Student U and in consultation with project partners.