Early Childhood Home Visitor (Parent Educator) Montgomery County

JOB TITLE: Parent Educator

CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt Employee

REPORTS TO: HB Services Specialist

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plans and implements home-based learning experiences that ensure effective implementation of the home visiting curriculum(s) and promoting children’s progress across the Head Start Program Performance Standards described in the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five, including for children with disabilities and dual language learners as appropriate.
• Implements the delivery of social services to ensure that the Head Start Performance Standards and goals and objectives are met in cooperation and coordination with goals of other components of the Head Start Program.
• Initiates social service referrals and follow-up services for families.
• Builds respectful, culturally responsive, and trusting relationships with families.
• Knowledgeable of community resources and possesses the skills to link families with appropriate agencies and services.
• Establishes and maintains an efficient and effective record-keeping system.

DUTIES:

1. Implement the Parents as Teachers (PAT) research-based educational curriculum for children age 0-3 during weekly home visits with enrolled families.

2. Create individualized lesson plans based on the child’s age, developmental level, etc.

3. Record weekly child observations on personal visit records.

4. Provide ongoing and school readiness assessments on enrolled children.

5. Screen children for developmental, behavioral, motor, language, social, cognitive, perceptual and emotional skills.

6. Integrate educational aspects of the health, nutrition, and mental health services into home visits.

7. Implement the Partners for a Healthy Baby curriculum for enrolled pregnant women and provide support throughout pregnancy including providing travel to prenatal and post-natal health appointments, making referrals, etc.

8. Ensure special needs services are being received for children as applicable.

9. Begin and facilitate the transition process for enrolled children at 30-36 months of age into the Head Start Program.

10. Establish partnerships with other community agencies to provide comprehensive services to families.

11. Maintain children’s health records and assist families with health and immunization requirements.

12. Communicate with parents of children with identified health and dental needs to facilitate the implementation of the follow-up plan for treatment. Provide assistance to parents as needed, to enable them to learn how to obtain any prescribed medications, aids or equipment for medical and dental conditions.

13. Provide individualized Family Engagement Updates throughout the year to support school readiness of the enrolled child(ren).

14. Provide assistance and education in emergency or crisis situations, mental health issues, continuing education, housing, employment training and other community resources.

15. Responsible for collecting and analyzing data on families in the program through home visits.

16. Provide ongoing communication efforts with parents to support parent involvement, provide opportunities to increase observation skills, plan and promote participation in parent committee meetings, socializations/playgroups, and field trips.

17. Responsible for submitting a monthly report on services provided to families.

18. Participate in scheduled IFSP/IEP team meetings to plan for and deliver collaborative services across all components; when requested by the family.

19. Implement the recruitment process by recruiting door-to-door in targeted areas to enroll low-income pregnant women and children age birth through age five including children with disabilities, placing fliers and recruitment signs in prominent areas frequented by parents of eligible children, etc.

20. Other tasks as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have or be willing to obtain a home-based CDA credential or equivalent coursework as required by the Home Visitor CDA and be ready to submit the Home Visitor CDA within 90-120 days of employment and renew/maintain the credential every three years.
• Experience working with disadvantaged individuals and/or families and the ability to work with individuals in a non-judgmental manner.
• Possess effective case management skills.
• Must meet the agency and IL Department of Child and Family Services applicable requirements for position.

1. Complete and pass pre-employment physical, obtain current (within past 6 months), TB test results, provide immunizations records that reflect 2 doses of MMR (mumps, rubella, and measles) and one Tdap (within last 7 years), and continue to complete on-going health testing as required by program.

2. Furnish written information regarding any criminal convictions, submit to fingerprinting, and comply to and pass a background check before initial hire and every five years thereafter.

3. Obtain and maintain current CPR and first aid certification within 90 days of hire.

4. Must be at least 21 years of age.

• Person and clothing must be fragrance-free and odor-free including soap, perfume, tobacco, nail polish, hair spray, etc. when working directly with infants and toddlers.
• Exhibit excellent interpersonal and communication skills in which to communicate with and to motivate people and the ability to get along with children, parents, and other co-workers.
• Organization, administrative, and problem solving skills required.
• Must perform all duties in a timely and professional manner.
• Must be punctual and maintain good work attendance.
• Must have the ability to work as a team player and maintain a positive work environment.
• Must be knowledgeable of modern office methods and procedures, filing, office equipment, as well as English usage, spelling, grammar, punctuation.
• Must have the ability to operate a personal computer and software to access electric mail, and word processing programs.
• Must demonstrate maturity and self-motivation.
• Must possess a positive and professional image.
• Must have reliable transportation to travel to/from work, meetings, and other work activities.
• Continues professional growth by participating in training programs and workshops/conferences as budget allows and as applicable to position.
• Must support the mission, goals and objectives of Head Start and C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Object Manipulation

• Use of writing tools, computer and technological equipment, age-appropriate educational toys for children being served

Sensory and Cognitive Abilities

• Analyzing and interpreting data including reading written directions, documents and forms, etc., giving instructions, presenting information in a clear, concise manner, communicating effectively to assure effective delivery

Physical Demands

• Bending, forward reaching, twisting, squatting and sit on floor and get back up while working with children, lift 30 lbs. floor to waist, lift 30 lbs. waist to shoulder, lift 30 lbs floor to shoulder, lift overhead 30 lbs., carry 30 lbs. 100 feet, push/pull 30 lbs. 50 feet, stand 10 minutes with table activity, walk up and down steps, driving personal car and/or program vehicle

Training and Certifications

• Attend conferences/workshops (in and out of state as applicable) as required by position; obtain and maintain certifications required of position

Environmental Demands

• Indoor office work 5-10% of the time; off site travel 90-95% of the time for home visits, playgroups, training/staff meetings, recruitment activities, etc.

Work Remotely

• No

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $20.31 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• With assistance from the program, are you willing to obtain a Home Visitor CDA?

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $1 - $20