EHS Family Educator

POSITION SUMMARY:

Plans and implements comprehensive child development services to children and families enrolled in Early Head Start program.  Provides a range of family support and advocacy services.  Conducts child development screening and assessments; develops individualized school readiness plans for children. Conducts weekly 90-minute home visits, and assists with facilitation of socialization groups.  Develops Family Partnership Goal, assists in planning and implementation of parent education activities (occasional evening/weekend work required). Participates in team meetings to implement goal-oriented family plans. Assists families with community resources; refers families to community services as needed.  Completes weekly documentation of services to meet Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) and Akin requirements. Provides support and mentoring to other team members. Has access to protected healthcare information (PHI) or confidential identifiable information (CII), both paper and electronic, as necessary, to perform related job duties and responsibilities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Home Visiting:

• Develops a regular schedule of home visits and home-based activities to meet Head Start Program Performance Standards. Prepares and implements home visit plan in collaboration with the family and based on each child’s developmental needs.
• Interacts positively with children and their families to support the child’s individual learning and development by:
  • Conducting weekly 90-minute home visits
  • Developing and maintaining a positive, goal-oriented relationship with children and families, built on equity, inclusiveness, and cultural and linguistic responsiveness.
  • Using the Parents and Teachers curriculum to facilitate positive, developmentally appropriate caregiver-child interaction and to support caregivers in providing developmentally appropriate experiences and opportunities for their children using the Parents as Teachers curriculum to provide prenatal services to pregnant individuals and their families, including presenting information related to pregnancy and prenatal child development, as well as support with maternity/delivery plan
  • Providing services to children with developmental disabilities or medical needs

Developmental Screening and Assessment:

• With family input, conducts screenings and assessments of children in all developmental areas. Coordinates screening with health professionals to evaluate the child’s development to meet program standards.
• Refers to early intervention services and other appropriate community services, as necessary.
• Maintains ongoing written documentation of observations/assessments of individual children. Reviews and updates assessments in accordance with program plan and best practice standards

Individualized School Readiness Plans (ISRP):

• In accordance with program and best practice standards, develops an ISRP for each child based on assessments, screenings, and family input. Together with the family, uses the Parents as Teachers curriculum to promote positive learning environment activities that are culturally and linguistically relevant to the developmental needs of each child and family, including pre-existing plans
• Identifies family strengths, needs, and interests. In collaboration with the family, develops written Family Partnership Goals, assists the family to meet goals, and works with various community agencies and resources to support the family

Family Support and Parent Involvement:

• Identifies family strengths, needs, and interests. In collaboration with the family, develops written Family Partnership Goals, assists the family to meet goals, and works with various community agencies and resources to support the family
• Provides appropriate referrals, emergency assistance, crisis intervention and support through community resources and multidisciplinary team
• Participates in planning and attending family events throughout the year
• Actively assists with the recruitment of Policy Council members and attends Policy Council meetings periodically or as requested

Community Resource and Referral:

• Is actively aware of existing and new community resources providing child and family services. Maintains working relationships with employee at community agencies.  Provides support and appropriate assistance to help families access needed services.  Assists families in finding and accessing medical, dental, and behavioral health homes for children and adult family members.

Transition Services:

• Attends enrollment visit with Enrollment Specialist, family, and child to introduce them to EHS services and to begin development of a positive, goal-oriented relationship.  Coordinates services with additional service providers as needed. Implements strategies and practices to support successful transitions for children and their families transitioning out of Early Head Start.
• Interdisciplinary Planning: Participates in interdisciplinary planning for children and families.

Record Keeping:

• Maintains complete, objective, timely, and confidential records for children and families, in accordance with program and best practice standards.

Employee Training:

• Attends required Akin and Early Learning trainings, as well as community-based trainings as needed
• Provides on the job technical support for new employee members and volunteers

Other:

• Performs other duties as assigned by Supervisor

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to establish positive, goal-oriented relationships with individuals and families that maintain and promote their self-respect and encourage their independence. Ability to demonstrate acceptance of diverse health and parenting beliefs. Ability to observe and to report objectively on family functioning and progress toward achievement of identified goals. Ability to exercise judgment and to handle stressful circumstances
• Competence in planning, organizing, scheduling, record keeping and oral and written communications
• Knowledge and experience in child development, early childhood education and/or social services; adult learning principles; and family dynamics
• Skilled in motivating families, understanding of family support principles, and parenting education. Knowledge of effective communication techniques, conflict resolution skills, and adult education practices.
• Knowledge of community resources and the ability to establish and build collaborative partnerships with community agencies and their employee
• Training and/or experience in teaching parents how to develop consistent, stable, and supportive relationships with infants and toddlers
• Must possess strong human relations skills to communicate and work effectively within a culturally diverse work environment and community
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and push/pull up to 30 pounds
• Proficient in MS Office and data entry. Ability to adapt to new technology.
• Ability to travel and attend 3-day Parents as Teachers training within one month of hire required. Travel and training costs will be covered by Akin
• Ability to embrace and support Akin’s commitment to fostering an inclusive organization

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work is split between clients’ homes, office, and car
• Visits involve environments that may include pets, residual smoke, and other typical household hazards like dirt and other spills (Note: we do not allow smoking during visits)
• Travel for visits occurs daily; work is often done off-site between home visits

WORKING REMOTELY:

Working remotely is a benefit of Akin’s flexible workplace, but remote work cannot be offered for all positions. Some positions require daily presence in the office. Remote work arrangements may be adjusted or rescinded based upon business needs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Ability to sit on the floor, crouch, or kneel regularly during home visits
• Ability to lift children if necessary
• Ability to sit in car frequently

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Home Visitor CDA (Child Development Associate) credential from the Council for Professional Recognition and demonstrate competency to plan and implement home-based learning experiences or Associate or higher degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field with coursework equivalent to the Home Visitor CDA and demonstrate competency to plan and implement home-based learning experiences
• Access to a personal vehicle with insurance coverage and have a valid driver’s license
• Proof of physical exam upon hire (updated every three years), including a one-step Mantoux TB skin test prior to start of employment. For those who have previously tested positive, documented proof of treatment from a doctor or a negative chest x-ray must be provided
• Proof of CPR and Pediatric First Aid certification is required or obtained within 30 days of hire
• HIV/Aids and blood borne pathogen training within 30 days of hire
• Obtain a Food Handler’s permit within 30 days of hire
• Successful completion of a drivers check if position requires driving on a regular basis (at least three times per week) or drives clients. Must not have more than two driving incidents within the last three years
• Completion of Akin and DCYF criminal history background check, including registry with MERIT to include fingerprinting

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bilingual in English and Amharic, Arabic, Dari, Hindi, Oromo, Pashto, Somali, Spanish, Tigrinya, or Urdu is highly preferred
• Current Parents as Teachers certification a plus

SALARY RANGE AND BENEFITS:

The salary range for this position is $23.03 - $31.76. The starting salary range for this position is $23.03 - $25.21 DOE for external candidates.

Employees (and their families) are covered by medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are able to enroll in our company’s 401k plan. Employees will also receive 10 days of vacation leave each year, three Employee Appreciation Day each year, and will accrue one sick day per month (pro-rated for part-time employees). Employees will also enjoy 15 paid holidays throughout the calendar year. We also offer EAP and mental health benefits.