Gina Pena

The Children’s Specialist is responsible for assisting children and their parents in achieving stability and self-reliance through education, community resources and supportive services.

Core responsibilities include:

• Supporting children ages new born-17 years
• Provide supportive services in partnerships with family advocates to give families necessary resources and skills to achieve self-reliance.
• Assist with enrolling children in local school system, help with understanding IEP, attends parent-teacher conferences, CPS meeting and court hearings related to CPS, and provide other school related support as needed.
• Assisting families with applying for WIC, childcare assistance, MFIP, and after school programming.
• Collaborate with family advocates to provide support services for parents to help with services for their children.
• Provide community resources and referrals as well as coordinate services with various community partners to provide a well-rounded approach.
• Assisting with planning community events for residents/program participants.
• Coordinating summer program and events for participants and neighboring families.
• Case note all meetings and interactions with families.

Core Responsibilities Include:

• Helping with homework, school pick up/drop off when needed.
• Preparing healthy snacks and meals for both parents and children
• Music classes for 16 month old
• Assisting with nap time, diaper changes, and feedings.
• Daily walks when the weather permits— going to kid friendly indoor play areas on the colder days.
• Developed and implemented new housekeeping practices to increase productivity and cohesiveness.

• Assisted with light housekeeping duties as well as running errands.
• Bathed, dressed, and helped with teeth brushing as part of bedtime preparation.
• Engaged children in age-appropriate music, games, books, and other activities.
• Supported children in play activities, meals, and snacks, hygiene and socialization.