What Does a Parent Coordinator Do?

Parent coordinators are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day lives of children in foster care or adoption. They act as a liaison between these children and their parents, providing support and guidance to both parties.

Parent coordinators may also be tasked with ensuring that all relevant paperwork is properly filed and maintained. This includes things like medical records, court documents, etc.

Parent Coordinator Job Duties

Parent coordinators have a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Working with teachers and other school staff to ensure that the child is comfortable in their classroom environment
• Helping parents develop parenting skills and offering support when needed
• Providing information about the legal process, including what steps are involved in a custody case, how long it will take, and what the costs will be
• Assisting parents in developing parenting plans that include schedules for time-sharing with the children, including holidays and birthdays
• Coordinating activities, including school events and parent meetings or conferences with teachers or administrators
• Helping parents work through custody and visitation disputes by helping them develop parenting plans or mediation agreements
• Monitoring the child’s progress at school to ensure that he or she is receiving a quality education
• Helping parents understand the importance of keeping up with their child’s educational needs, including homework, reading, and studying for tests
• Providing information about community resources that can help parents overcome challenges in their lives—such as mental health services for adults or tutoring for children

Parent Coordinator Salary & Outlook

The salary of a parent coordinator can vary depending on their level of education, years of experience, and the size and location of the school district.

• Median Annual Salary: $40,908 ($19.67/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $75,000 ($36.06/hour)

The employment of parent coordinators is expected to grow faster than average over the next decade.

Parent coordinators will be needed to help parents navigate the complexities of raising children in a digital world. As more families have access to mobile devices and social media, parent coordinators will be needed to teach parents how to use these technologies safely and responsibly.

Related: Parent Coordinator Interview Questions and Answers

Parent Coordinator Job Requirements

Parent coordinators are typically required to have the following qualifications:

Education: Most parent coordinators have at least a bachelor’s degree. Some of the most common majors for parent coordinators are psychology, social work, education and human services. Some parent coordinators also have a master’s degree in social work or human services.

Training & Experience: Many employers will provide on-the-job training for newly hired child care coordinators. This training will help the child care coordinator learn the specific procedures and policies of the center. The training may also include shadowing current child care coordinators to learn how to perform their duties.

Certifications & Licenses: Some employers may require team members to pass an industry-specific certification to show their general understanding of the field.

Parent Coordinator Skills

Parents need the following skills in order to be successful:

Communication: Communication is another important skill for an on-campus resident assistant. As a resident assistant, you might be in charge of communicating with a large group of students, such as a floor of a residence hall. You might also be in charge of communicating with a smaller group of students, such as a small group of students in a study lounge. In both situations, you can use your communication skills to relay messages to students in a way that they understand.

Organization: Organization is another skill that can be useful for a person in a position as a parent coordinator. You may be responsible for planning and organizing events for parents and children, such as field trips or social gatherings. Being able to plan and organize these events can help you be successful in your role.

Time management: Time management is another skill that can be useful for a person in a position as a camp parent coordinator. This is because you may have many responsibilities to attend to throughout the day, including checking in with different groups of campers, attending meetings and observing the campers’ activities. Having good time management skills can help you prioritize your tasks and ensure you complete all of your responsibilities.

Problem-solving: As a parent coordinator, you may be responsible for resolving conflicts between parents and children. You can use your problem-solving skills to help parents find solutions to their issues. You can also use this skill to help parents develop positive relationships with their children.

Collaboration: Collaboration is the ability to work with others to achieve a common goal. As a camp parent coordinator, you may work with other parent representatives to plan activities for the campers. You may also work with the camp director to plan activities for the camp staff.

Parent Coordinator Work Environment

Parent coordinators work in schools with students, parents, and teachers to improve communication and resolve conflicts. They also develop and implement programs to engage parents in their children’s education. Parent coordinators typically work during school hours, although they may also work evenings and weekends to attend meetings and events. They may have to travel to different schools or districts. The work can be stressful, as coordinators must be able to handle difficult situations and people.

Parent Coordinator Trends

Here are three trends influencing how parent coordinators work. Parent coordinators will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

More Attention to the Role of the Parent Coordinator

The role of the parent coordinator is becoming increasingly important in schools across the country. This is because parents are becoming more involved in their children’s education and want to be sure that they are being well-supported by the school.

As the role of the parent coordinator becomes more important, parents will need to find professionals who can provide them with the support they need. This includes everything from helping to organize events to providing guidance on how to best communicate with the school staff.

More Collaboration Between Teachers and Parents

The trend of increased collaboration between teachers and parents is a result of the increasing emphasis on parental involvement in education.

Parent coordinators can take advantage of this trend by developing strong relationships with teachers and other members of the school community. By doing so, they can help to create a positive environment for students and ensure that they are getting the support they need to succeed.

Greater Emphasis on Social and Emotional Learning

The trend of social and emotional learning (SEL) is becoming increasingly popular in schools across the country. This is due to the fact that research has shown that SEL skills can have a significant impact on student achievement.

As the importance of SEL becomes more apparent, parent coordinators will need to develop expertise in this area. They will need to be able to help parents understand the value of SEL and how to support their child’s development. In addition, they will need to be able to work with teachers to create a supportive learning environment for all students.

How to Become a Parent Coordinator

A career as an parent coordinator can be rewarding and fulfilling. It’s important to consider the different aspects of this job before you start down the path of becoming a parent coordinator.

One of the most important things to think about is the type of organization you want to work for. Do you want to work for a nonprofit or for a government agency? Or do you want to work for a private company? Each type of organization has its own unique culture, so it’s important to find one that fits your personality and style.

You should also think about what types of services you want to provide. Do you want to focus on providing support to parents with young children, or do you want to offer services to all parents regardless of their age or stage in life?

It’s also important to consider the size of the organization you want to work for. A small organization may not have the resources to offer many services, but a large organization may have more opportunities for growth.

Advancement Prospects

Parent coordinators can advance their career by becoming involved in policymaking at the state or national level. They can also become involved in research projects or start their own consulting business. Some parent coordinators may also choose to go back to school to earn a degree in education or a related field.

Parent Coordinator Job Description Example

At [CompanyX], we understand that parents are a child’s first and most important teachers. We also know that when parents are involved in their child’s education, the child is more likely to succeed. That’s why we’re looking for a Parent Coordinator to join our team. The Parent Coordinator will be responsible for developing and implementing programs and activities to engage parents in their child’s education. He or she will also work to build relationships with parents and the community, and to develop a network of resources to support parents. The ideal candidate will have experience working with parents and families, and will be passionate about education and child development.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact and liaison between parents, guardians, and the school
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with parents, guardians, and the community
• Attend all parent-teacher conferences and open houses
• Plan and execute monthly parent meetings, workshops, and events
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of school policies and procedures
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Handle confidential information with discretion
• Be organized and detail oriented
• Be able to work independently and take initiative
• Be flexible and adaptable
• Be able to multitask and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Have strong computer skills

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, education, or related field
• 3-5 years professional experience working with parents, children, and families
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Flexibility and adaptability

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work, psychology, education, or related field
• Experience working in a school or educational setting
• Bilingual (English/Spanish)
• Cultural competence and understanding of diverse family dynamics
• Knowledge of community resources and services