Family Educator (Safford)

Description

Easter Seals Blake Foundation, Children and Family Services is a non-profit foundation that provides support and resources to children and families in various at-risk categories, primarily in southern Arizona. This home-based Early Head Start program is contracted through Child-Parent Centers, Inc. Under this contract staff work directly with families, children and expectant mothers. Services are provided in the homes of the families and, for group experiences, at community venues.

Bilingual candidates preferred, not required.

The Family Educator will mentor families to become their child’s first teachers, work with families with children ages birth- three year old as well as expectant mothers. Provide the program in a home based setting. Complete intakes, evaluations, and track all medical information. Plan and conduct opportunities for Group Socialization Experiences. Ensure compliance with all Office of Head Start (OHS) National Performance Standards. Document required information in files.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Direct Services

• Actively engages in recruitment efforts to maintain enrollment and waiting list.
• Plans, conducts, evaluates and documents with parents weekly home visits (minimum 1.5 hours each) to ten - twelve families.
• In collaboration with family members, assesses strengths, capacities and needs of each family. Through a family goal setting process, assists in identification of family achievements and goals; follows-up on these achievements and goals and encourages further progress. Documents this collaborative process in family partnership agreements.
• Identifies resources and connections family can utilize in achieving progress toward goals, independence and self-sufficiency.
• Assists families to obtain identified services and coaches and collaborates with family to understand referral process.
• Follows up with families on the results of referrals and their satisfaction level.
• Supports families to understand and complete all health, safety and nutrition requirements of the program.
• Collaborates with family to regularly complete developmental screening and assessment of the enrolled child.
• Regularly plans, delivers and evaluates bi-monthly group socialization experiences with parents.
• Shares individual child information with parents on a regular basis.
• Facilitates ongoing meaningful discussions on child and family.
• Plans, participates in and evaluates monthly parent meetings and other parent involvement activities.
• Assists the family to advocate for their child/children.
• Transports family when appropriate to and from community resources or other activities.
• Assists the family to plan for transition from family based program to center based and other educational programs.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Leadership, Supervision, Professional Development and Teamwork:

• Promotes parental involvement and implementation of all aspects with the Early Head Start program (Program Curriculum, Parent Involvement, Governance, Health, Nutrition, Safety, and Family Services).
• Using MOU processes, works collaboratively with support programs: AzEIP, New Visions, etc.
• Participates as an active team member in meeting family needs and in building the parent, home, educator, and community relationships.
• Is responsible for providing intentional, collaborative, safe and high quality group experiences with parents, community volunteers and children.
• Identifies emerging program and family needs, initiates requests for additional assistance and participates in on going improvements to program policies and procedures.
• Is prepared for and participates fully in supervision.
• Regularly attends professional development experiences at a minimum 15 hours per year.
• Develops and implements personal education plan with supervisor.
• Performs other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting and Record Keeping:

• Completes Home Visit Plans weekly and submits to supervisor monthly.
• Documents family and child progress toward identified goals and submits required progress reports.
• Records and submits daily/weekly/monthly information as required.
• Creates and maintains family/child files.
• Completes and submits all required paperwork promptly (i.e. end of month reports, Child Plus data, Accident Reports, assessments, early intervention documentation, etc.).
• Regarding concerns of abuse and/or neglect of children, understands requirements of mandatory reporting and, for any necessary Child Protective Services reports, follows appropriate steps according to agency policy.
• Completes application/enrollment paperwork, as necessary.

ABILITY TO:

• Work as a collaborative member of a team.
• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding family records and information.
• Approach work with families in an empathic, nonjudgmental, respectful, professional manner.
• Effectively communicate in both verbal and written form.
• Manage use of time effectively and efficiently.
• Consistently meet stringent program requirements, including targeted thresholds, on time.
• Communicate in Spanish (read and write) to work efficiently with families (as required).

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Developmentally appropriate early childhood practices for working with young children.
• OHS National Performance Standards.
• Family dynamics and family-centered practices.
• Community resources and networking.
• Reflective communication techniques such as active listening and paraphrasing.
• CPR/First Aid.

Requirements

Education:

• Associates Degree in Early Childhood or related field
• Bachelor’s Degree in Education (Early Childhood, Special Education), Social Work, Family Studies or closely related field

Experience:

• 1-2 years work experience in education field.
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred, not required.

Regulatory:

• Clean criminal background check and the ability to obtain an AZ level one fingerprint clearance card.
• Valid, unrestricted Arizona driver’s license and the willingness to use personal vehicle in the course of employment. Must meet minimum requirements of agency insurance carrier.
• Must obtain and pass a funder required physical exam and have a TB skin test prior to beginning employment
• Possess an automobile in good working order, with required automobile insurance for use as needed in job responsibilities

Physical requirements:

• Must be able to utilize Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as face mask, gown, goggles and gloves, for any amount of time necessary to provide a physical barrier to protect the employee and others.
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position.
• Must be able to operate a computer, phone and other office equipment.
• Must be able to stoop, squat, reach, stretch, ascend and descend stairs.
• May work in an office setting.

Psychological Requirements:

• Must be able to remain calm, non-defensive with a supportive attitude during stressful, potential crisis, and crisis situations.
• Must be able to work in an extremely stressful environment where there are considerable mental and emotional demands. Must be able to manage high volumes and unpredictability of work.
• Must be able to remain lexible and reprioritize according to the changing demands of the day.
• Must be able to manage stress in a fast-paced, unpredictable, intense setting.
• Must be able to adapt to diverse cultural environments and communicate in a culturally inclusive manner.
• Must be able to represent Easterseals Blake Foundation in a professional manner in all situations.

Easterseals Blake Foundation is an EEO/AA/Vet/Disabled Employer