Assistant Director, Family Support Program

Infant Welfare Society of Evanston, Inc.

Job Description

JOB TITLE: Assistant Director, Family Support Program

Reports To: FSP Program Director

Category: Exempt, Salaried

AGENCY MISSION

To deliver exceptional care and education for infants and young children and support families’ efforts to be effective parents and advocates in their child’s learning and development.

SUMMARY

The Assistant Director is responsible supporting program operation needs of home visiting. The Assistant Director coordinates enrollment, oversees programming, supervises staff and provides leadership assistance to Program Director within the agency.

ESSSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

· Commit to the mission of the agency and ensure implementation of the program philosophy, with respect to the program model, care of children and relationships with families.

· Oversee Personal encounter implementation and provide child development/early childhood education guidance to Home Visiting Team

· Work closely with Program Specialist to ensure that parent groups are planned, and data is entered correctly into database

· Assist with program reviews by Baby Talk and ISBE as well as any other monitoring agencies.

· Ensure that all reporting deadlines are met, and that the agency is prepared to comply with the requirements.

· Serve as Interim Home Visitor in the case of short term or long-term vacancy

· Strictly follow agency guidelines for confidentiality of information.

· Track and analyze family data not limited to IFGP(Individual Family Goal Plans) and Social service referrals to provide accurate program results to Program Director

· Take the lead in interviewing and hiring staff as needed.

· Serve as a mentor and coach to staff, guiding them to improve their practice.

· Provide reflective supervision to Home Visiting Staff

· Conduct as needed weekly meetings with Home Visitors to follow-up on referrals made

· Follow agency guidelines for progressive discipline as needed.

· Take leadership for development of Family Support Program Manual

· Participate in the development and maintenance of the IWSE policies and procedures, in collaboration with the Leadership Team.

Parent Relations

· Work with families interested in enrolling or joining the waiting list;

· Foster positive relationships with parents by addressing questions and concerns related to their experiences at the program.

· Complete and submit timely and accurate monthly reports and other documentation to appropriate persons.

· Be knowledgeable of Baby Talk Quality Confirmation and ISBE Compliance measures and reporting requirements. Complete and submit documentation within the required timeframes.

· Maintain and monitor children’s files on NewOrg and paper version, ensuring that complete and accurate information is available for each child.

· Lead regularly scheduled FSP Team meetings

· Attend community meetings and workshops

· Perform and fulfill other responsibilities as requested by IWSE’s Program Director.

· Maintain regular and predictable attendance and timeliness.

· Act as a team member in group efforts and on general projects and organizational needs

· Promote positive, congenial and professional relationships with staff.

· Commit to on-going professional development including enrolling in coursework, etc

· Create an annual professional development plan.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

Master’s degree from an accredited university or college in Early Childhood Education, child development or human development preferred; or a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college in Early Childhood Education or a closely related field, plus 2 years working with children 0-5 and their families; and 1 year of child care management and administrative experience.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• One year of site management and supervisory experience
• Knowledge of current developmental and educational theories in the field of infant and toddler education
• Ability to work in a diverse environment
• Ability to maintain a high level of professionalism and work cooperatively with others
• Ability to work independently as well as to follow directions
• Excellent oral and written skills as well as organizational and coordinating skills
• Willingness to act as a representative of Infant Welfare Society of Evanston as needed
• Good computer skills
• Ability to work with and relate to families and children from diverse cultural, and economic backgrounds
• A working knowledge of DCFS licensing, ISBE Compliance Standards, Baby Talk Critical Concepts

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of programs and systems that serve children, families, low-income communities, and culturally diverse families
• Knowledge of clinical and trauma informed practices.
• Knowledge of and ability to assess, analyze, and interpret ISBE Prevention Initiative Standards, State and Local licensing requirements and the Illinois Early Learning Guidelines.
• Knowledge of child development and parenting education strategies.
• Knowledge of child abuse risk and protective factors.
• Proven ability to establish professional working relationships with a wide variety of staff and families representing a range of cultural and economic differences.
• Knowledge of rights and procedures for children with disabilities.
• Ability to engage with diverse staff and families in large and small trainings.
• Ability to effectively organize and prioritize work as well as concentrate on multiple tasks simultaneously with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials.
• Advance computer literacy including database management, spreadsheet, word processing, internet, email, google calendars

Reporting and Documentation

· Maintain complete and accurate records in program database and in individual files.

· Coordinate the closing, storing and inventory of files for children who leave the program.

· Ensure case notes are written accurately and inputted in a timely manner using current data system.

· Track referrals made to outside agencies and from outside agencies to IWSE

· Report any changes of participant status to Program Director

Professional Development

· Promote positive, pleasant and professional relationships with staff.

· Identify and participate in professional development activities (including regular independent reading, webinars, meeting and conferences) to attain and maintain expertise in area of responsibility.

· Maintain records of professional development certificates, trainings, schedules

CERTFICATES AND LICENSES

· Certification in Infant and Child Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Pediatric First Aid (within six months of employment).

· A physical exam by a licensed health provider, certifying good health and freedom from communicable diseases, along with a negative result for a tuberculosis test, with six months prior to the date of hire.

· Freedom from conviction or pending charges of criminal activities as described in the State of Illinois Licensing Standards for Day Care Centers.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standards exist.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to, handle, touch, carry and otherwise perform the duties described herein. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; carry; sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The employees must be able to communicate verbally as well as hear children and adults communicating even when not directly speaking to the employee.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, toxic or caustic chemicals, and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $55,000.00 - $62,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $55,000 - $62,000