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Horizons for Homeless Children, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of homeless children and their families by providing a nurturing environment, stimulation and opportunities for early education and play, seeks a Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer to be based in Boston, Massachusetts. This is an exciting opportunity for a highly skilled and experienced public policy advocate to provide leadership to ensure that for young children whose families are caught in the crisis of homelessness, it need not become a way of life.
THE PROBLEM
On any given night, more than 3,000 Massachusetts children under age six are homeless and living in family shelters. Nationally, the figures are staggering: more than 650,000 children under age six are without a home at any given time. Whether they are staying in a shelter, moving from place to place, or doubled-up on the couch of a friend or relative, homeless children are lacking one of the most basic forms of stability in a person's life. Sadly, given the current economic and housing crises, the picture is only getting worse. More and more families are losing their homes, and our already fragile social safety net is being stretched to the limit.
Most services for homeless families focus on the issues of housing, health, employment, and/or education for parents. Given the critical nature of these families' situations, attending to these basic needs makes complete sense. But the unfortunate result is that, during a period of crisis, the early learning and development needs of these families' children are overlooked. Based on what is now known about the importance of early brain development during a child's first five years, neglecting early development needs can be tragic.
Extensive research has documented that early childhood education is even more important when children are from disadvantaged backgrounds. Harvard University's Center on the Developing Child has linked significant early adversity and 'toxic stress' in the lives of young children with greater likelihood of developmental delays, as well as physical and mental health problems. Homeless children, therefore, are in even greater need of quality early learning experiences than most.
What's more, education experts point out that children who are behind developmentally by the time they reach kindergarten tend to stay behind in future years. Indeed, this is not just a short-term problem, but a reality that will follow individuals for the rest of their lives.
THE SEARCH
Horizons for Homeless Children (HHC) was founded in 1988 to serve young homeless children and their families. Today, the organization assists more than 2,000 homeless children in Massachusetts (MA) each week through two direct service programs:
- Community Children's Centers (CCCs), comprehensive, full-time early education and childcare centers specifically for young homeless children. HHC operates three CCCs within Boston; and
- Playspace Programs, which offer educational and recreational spaces in 145 family shelters throughout MA.
In addition to these programs, HHC also supports young homeless children and their families through advocacy efforts, currently primarily within MA, as well as through training and technical assistance offerings for related service providers. Across all programming, HHC has established a track record of success. In its first 20 years, HHC has staked out a unique position at the intersection of early education and homelessness and established itself as a leading voice of on-the-ground experience. Given HHC's successful work to date, as well as the critical needs that still exist for young homeless children, HHC knows it can and is poised to do more. One of the ways it has identified to achieve this goal is to build upon its initial policy achievements in Massachusetts, and to embark upon a broader nationwide advocacy campaign. This effort will be designed to both raise awareness of the issue as well as to educate both Federal and State decision-makers about ways to better support young homeless children and their families.
Horizons for Homeless Children is seeking an experienced, savvy, highly articulate, effective, strategic public policy advocate to lead this effort. Reporting to the CEO and working closely with the HHC Board, as well as The Raben Group, the Washington, DC political strategy and communications firm retained by HHC, the Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer will lead HHC's efforts to shape public policy. S/he will be responsible for designing and implementing an effective advocacy strategy to influence early childhood education and homelessness legislation nationally as well as in Massachusetts.
Horizons for Homeless Children has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in the recruitment of this position. The firm has prepared this document, which will be shared with candidates and sources in the search. This document describes the organization, the opportunities for this position, and the personal and professional characteristics that the ideal candidate should possess.
HHC: LEADERSHIP, GOVERNANCE, AND ORGANIZATION
Sue Heilman has been the CEO of Horizons for Homeless Children for the last eighteen years and is widely regarded as an expert in the area of early childhood education for disadvantaged families. Starting with a budget of $30,000, and a staff of one, she and the Board have built an organization that now employs over 100 people with a budget of more than $8 million, serving over 2,000 homeless children each week.
After the completion of its latest strategic planning process, the Board has decided to recruit a President who will report to the CEO and who will oversee the operations of the organization, including the implementation and measurement of all service delivery programs. This addition is intended to provide Ms. Heilman the opportunity to focus her attention more on HHC's external efforts and initiatives, including policy and advocacy.
HHC's work is overseen by a Board of 35 highly accomplished and deeply committed individuals from the Greater Boston area. The Board and all committees meet quarterly.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE CHIEF POLICY AND ADVOCACY OFFICER
This may be the first time in U.S. history that a sitting president has acknowledged the fact that many of our nation's homeless are in fact children. President Obama's declaration that "it is not acceptable for children and families to be without a roof over their heads in a country as wealthy as ours" is a call to action. While the President noted that we must help homeless families lift themselves out of poverty with jobs, this in itself will not be enough.
The Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer (CPAO) will drive HHC's ability to advocate for the rights of homeless children and their families at the Federal level. From identifying opportunities to place the issue of homeless children in the media and before key opinion leaders, new communications and advocacy efforts will serve to increase awareness of this issue as well as to promote HHC's programmatic expertise and highlight its value. Translating this increased exposure into substantial gains on the policy and funding level will be a priority for the CPAO.
Reporting to and working closely with the CEO and the Board, s/he will be responsible for crafting and guiding the organization's overarching government relations, advocacy and policy communications strategy. The CPAO will be responsible for articulating the organization's mission to Federal as well as Massachusetts elected and government officials and decision makers.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate a passion and commitment to this issue. S/he will also have 10-12 years of experience in a related policy position with management, legislative, and/or Administration experience working with elected officials and their staff members.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The key responsibilities of the Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer include:
- Direct the development and implementation of HHC's Federal and State advocacy and communication efforts to influence early childhood education and homeless legislation at the Federal level and in Massachusetts as well as to increase HHC's own government funding. This will include:
- Work to favorably position HHC among Legislative and Executive branch policy makers;
- Amplify HHC's voice among other stakeholders; leadership at coalition meetings, conferences; strengthen existing and build new partnerships with individuals and organizations working in the fields of education, childcare and homelessness, and others as appropriate;
- Media and public relations strategies: message development; marketing, in conjunction with HHC's development office;
- Evaluate, respond to and ensure that homeless children are prioritized in initiatives such as the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and Head Start;
- Serve on the senior management team, work with and inform the Board and CEO of emerging opportunities for involvement; create policy memos and updates to communicate desired legislative changes;
- Ensure, as the supervisor of the Massachusetts Director of Policy and Advocacy as well as The Raben Group, that they all are working to advance HHC's goals and effectiveness.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
While no one person will possess all of the qualities listed below, the ideal candidate would have the following professional and personal characteristics:
- A commitment to the mission, purpose and values of Horizons for Homeless Children;
- An outgoing, savvy person with excellent political skills, judgment and credibility in Washington, DC as well as the vision and ability to identify political priorities and implement a legislative and policy program;
- A successful track record leading and shaping the political strategy efforts of an advocacy organization or on Capitol Hill;
- Experience working effectively and collaboratively with a strong CEO and a committed and results-oriented Board of Directors, and as a member of a senior management team;
- An ability to both create new relationships and strengthen Horizon for Homeless Children's existing relationships within the homeless/early childhood education coalition, Congress, and executive departments;
- A history as an independent self-starter who can also balance, negotiate, and inspire teamwork within an organization;
- Evidence of strong management skills and a supportive style that inspires trust and motivates staff to work hard and well together with a clear sense of direction;
- A style with colleagues and staff that is at once direct and decisive as well as collegial and approachable; the inclination to solve problems generally in a collaborative mode, coupled with the willingness to act independently and resolutely when necessary;
- Exceptional communication and advocacy skills, both orally and in writing;
- Integrity, entrepreneurial spirit, indomitable energy; grace and a sense of humor;
- Ability to travel, as needed, required.
TO APPLY
Inquiries, applications, and nominations should be emailed in confidence to:
Stephanie Fidel
Managing Associate
Isaacson, Miller
334 Boylston Street
Boston MA 02116
617-262-6509
3976@imsearch.com
Horizons for Homeless Children is an equal opportunity employer, committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in its work and staff.
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