State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG) Division of Elementary and Secondary Education
Office of Special Education
Location: Based in Little Rock Travel: Moderate travel required Travel Expenses: Reimbursed within specified guidelines Posting Deadline: Open until position filled The Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) - Office of Special Education (OSE) is seeking a highly qualified Family Engagement Specialist to support the implementation of the Arkansas State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG), funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).
The Family Engagement Specialist will oversee the development and implementation of strategies to strengthen school-family partnerships, with a focus on trust-building, shared understanding, and collaboration to support student learning. This role plays a critical role in advancing statewide priorities, including the Meaningful Access and Participation (MAP) project, by helping schools intentionally engage families as collaborative partners in continuous improvement efforts.
This position involves capacity-building, training, and coaching of administrators, educators, and families to create accessible environments and co-develop practices that elevate family voice and strengthen student outcomes.
Key Responsibilities: Provide on-site and virtual coaching, professional development, and technical assistance to administrators, educators, and family liaisons to support the implementation of evidence-based and high-leverage practices. Collaborate with grant partners to develop, adapt, and disseminate family-friendly tools, communication resources, and training materials to increase family engagement and support student learning. Support the implementation of statewide family engagement strategies and participate in workgroups aligned with grant priorities and the State Improvement Plan. Co-create protocols and processes for collaborative discussions with district and school leadership teams, grade-level teams, and special education teams to promote shared understanding and alignment of supports. Assist schools and districts in developing and refining systems that promote family engagement and align with tiered systems of support (MTSS) and the Meaningful Access and Participation Project. Collaborate with the grant personnel to monitor implementation fidelity, document activities, and report outcomes.