Connecticut Children’s is the only health system in Connecticut that is 100% dedicated to children. Established on a legacy that spans more than 100 years, Connecticut Children’s offers personalized medical care in more than 30 pediatric specialties across Connecticut and in two other states. Our transformational growth establishes us as a destination for specialized medicine and enables us to reach more children in locations that are closer to home. Our breakthrough research, superior education and training, innovative community partnerships, and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion provide a welcoming and inspiring environment for our patients, families and team members.

The Program Specialist manages continuous quality improvement functions related to the Jordan Porco Foundation programs managed by Connecticut Children’s Suicide Prevention Center, with a primary focus on Fresh Check Day. These functions include leveraging research and data to enhance/inform program content and delivery, updating and developing needs responsive resources for campus coordinators, and seeking grants and other funding sources to support equitable access to programs. The Program Specialist is a member of the program team and therefore also assists with shared team functions and internal processes for onboarding and supporting school partners.

• Develop new resources to support Fresh Check Day coordination that are needs-responsive and audience appropriate (webinars, handouts, etc.).
• Evaluate Fresh Check Day funding support requests and secure grants or other funding sources to meet demand.
• Analyze, synthesize, and utilize all Fresh Check Day data collected to assess and improve program fidelity and target outcomes.
• Stay informed on latest trends in the field as they relate to Fresh Check Day program content to inform program improvements.
• Identify new potential grant funders and maintain existing grant funder relationships.
• Collaborate closely with the Program Coordinator to align funding sources with program utilization.
• Share in active program case coordination responsibilities in partnership with other members of the programs team such as responding to inquiries, processing status and reports.
• Lead programs team’s ongoing continuous quality improvement efforts to update, edit, and supplement existing program materials.
• Assist with annual program retention outreach.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Education and/or Experience Required:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in related field
• Experience:
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in the suicide prevention field.
  • Minimum 3 years of project management experience in community programs.

Education and/or Experience Preferred:

• Education: Master’s Degree in Public Health or related field.

License and/or Certification Required:

• Valid Driver’s License.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge:

• Community outreach and what that entails.
• Mental health and injury prevention science and its application.
• CRM software and Canva.

Skills:

• Problem solving and follow-up.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) with ability to easily convey information.
• Attention to detail.
• Project management.
• MS Office software.
• Writing reports.

Abilities:

• Work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Build and maintain relationships within the organization and community.