Group Facilitator

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PURPOSE: To facilitate Rainbow Families Maybe Baby course in a safe and secure environment, offering support, education, and information exchange for prospective LGBTQ parents. The Maybe Baby course focuses on helping a closed group of LGBTQ couples and/or individuals with family planning and determining a path-to-parenthood that works for them. The course is offered once in the fall and spring and consists of eight two-hour sessions (or five three-hour sessions).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Facilitate the Maybe Baby group for up to 16 participants, one day a week (typically Sunday afternoons from 3-5 PM) for a total of eight sessions using the Maybe Baby curriculum.

• Facilitate discussion and encourage exchanges of suggestions, experiences & support.

• Deliver the Maybe Baby curriculum as specified by the trainer’s guide and in consultation with Rainbow Families staff.

• Keep up-to-date on LGBTQ family planning issues.

• Ensure regular communication with Rainbow Families staff regarding the course's progress.

• Track and report participation and attendance of participants.

• Send regular e-mail communications to participants as needed, including reminders about upcoming sessions; maintain current e-mail list of participants.

• Maintain confidentiality and respect among all participants within the course.

• Collaborate with Rainbow Families staff to promote and raise awareness of the Maybe Baby course, as appropriate.

• Participate in program evaluations with the assistance of Rainbow Families staff at the conclusion of the group .

• Provide feedback to Rainbow Families staff of participant’s needs with the aim of improving the course and the experience of people attending, as appropriate.

• Assists with any administration tasks related to the course, as appropriate.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience and enthusiasm for working with and supporting prospective LGBTQ parents.

• Professional training in counseling, social work or other similar background helpful.

• Strong communication skills.

• Excellent group facilitation skills.

• Excellent organizational skills.

• Strong knowledge of paths-to-parenthood for LGBTQ couples and individuals preferred.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to engage respectfully with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

• An ability to foster and direct group discussions, in a sensitive and responsive manner.

• Respect for diverse perspectives and recognition of the validity of others’ views and experiences.

• Compassion, a non-judgmental attitude and an understanding of the needs and challenges of other families.

• Capacity to learn from their own and others’ experiences through listening and reflection.

• Empathy and an ability to support individual and group reflection.

• Understanding of the need for confidentiality and maintaining group and individual privacy.

• Ability to cope with a variety of emotional responses in the group context.

COMMITMENT:

• Facilitation of one offering of Maybe Baby course (fall or spring) consisting of eight weeks with a two-hour session each week and one additional hour of prep time per session.

• Facilitation of eight sessions typically held on Sunday from 3-5 PM.

LOCATON: Maybe Baby sessions will take place at either the Wisconsin Place Recreation Community Center in Chevy Chase, MD or Whitman-Walker, 1525 14 th Street NW, Washington, DC.

SUPPORT: This is an independent contractor position. The position will work with the Rainbow Families Director of Community Impact & Program Coordination. Rainbow Families staff will provide initial orientation and will be available for ongoing support and information. Rainbow Families staff handle securing and scheduling the class topic guest speakers, room reservations, and registration of Maybe Baby participants.