Parent Educator, Parents as Teachers

Title:  Parent Educator                                                                                                    Department/Program: Parents as Teachers                                                                                  Classification:  Regular Non-exempt, full-time - Schedules M-F & Tu - SA

Position Summary:  

This is a professional parent educator position that helps parents and caregivers gain the knowledge and skills required to raise emotionally, psychologically and physically healthy children through the delivery of evidence-based home visiting and parent engagement tools. A certified parent educator implements the Parents as Teachers (PAT) model, emphasizing parent-child interaction, development- centered parenting and family well-being in their work with families. Utilizing the PAT Foundational Curriculum in culturally sensitive ways, the parent educator partners, facilitates and reflects with families. This position reports to the Lead Parent Educator and Program Director.  Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Essential Functions: 

• Maintain a caseload size based on Parents as Teachers National requirements.   
• Use the PAT Foundational I and II curriculum to share research based information with families.   
• Provide home based services focused on parent-child interaction, development-centered parenting and family well-being (including planning, delivering and documenting the visit).  
• Provide group connections to give families an opportunity to build social connections with each other, engage in parent-child interaction activities, and increase their knowledge of ways to support children's development.   
• Engage in recruitment activities (as applicable).   
• Complete annual family-centered assessment with each family.  
• Develop, monitor and review goals with each family.   
• Complete developmental screening and health review for each enrolled child.  
• Connect families to resources that help them reach their goals and address their needs.   
• Help parents and children transition to other services as needed, to preschool, or to kindergarten.   
• Maintain and submit in a timely manner accurate records of home visits, contacts, screenings, per program procedures. Includes timely case notes, data input of progress, required reports, and calendar appointments.   
• Organize and inventory supplies/materials, etc.   
• Participate in at least 2 hours of reflective supervision monthly and at least 2 hours of staff meetings monthly.   
• Obtain competency-based professional development and renew parent educator certification annually.   
• Participate in continuous quality improvement for program and agency by adhering to procedures and participating in the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) process.   
• Cultivate and manage ongoing collaborative relationships with a network of community partners. This may include community presentations and participation with community events and special projects.  
• Performs other duties as assigned.  

Qualifications: 

• Must have Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Early Childhood Education, Child Development or related education with at least three years of relevant experience or related education; or have current/verified certification in the Parents as Teachers Foundational and Model Implementation Curriculum with at least 5 years’ experience working with the curriculum.   
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills (e.g., nonjudgmental, objective, reflective, empathic, patient, tactful)  
• Ability to establish rapport with families and empower them by building on their strengths  
• Strong time management, organizational and record keeping skills   
• Ability to write reports, correspondence and maintain accurate records.
• Ability to work independently and be self-motivated (often in the field)  
• Proficiency in MS Outlook and MS Word, data input, and internet research.
• Ability to read, write, and speak fluently in English is required
• Certification as a Parents as Teachers parent educator (training will be provided if not currently certified).  
• Ability to walk, stand, climb stairs, kneel, bend, reach, and manipulate objects; drive a vehicle, move materials up to 10 pounds on a regular basis; infrequently require moving materials weighing up to 20 pounds.   
• Must be flexible with working hours. (evenings and weekends required)  
• Must be sensitive to the socioeconomically and culturally diverse population Champions for Children serves.  
• Must have a reliable vehicle, active auto insurance, and valid Florida driver’s license.