Description

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

Develops a system to ensure social-emotional development of children are addressed through screening, assessment, and implementation of the pyramid model, ongoing classroom observations, training and technical assistance and referrals made to mental health agencies for further evaluation and support.

Main Job Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Train prevention initiative staff on the implementation of the designated screening and assessment tools as identified by the program administrator.
• Conducts training on the developmental screening and assessment instrument to ensure staff are knowledgeable of the instruments for accurate implementation for the collection of data analysis and the tracking of children’s progress.
• Works with staff to track the follow-up on screenings (developmental social and emotional) and assists with obtaining parental consent for possible needed mental health services.
• Use of tracking system received for referrals seeking mental health services performed by licensed mental health professionals.
• Conducts specialized meetings to discuss concerns of children exhibiting concerns with parents to seek authorization of individualized observations to be conducted by licensed mental health professionals.
• Conducts training with staff on the Pyramid Model to support the social and emotional development of young children and helping educators to address challenging behaviors exhibited by children.
• Conduct classroom visits minimally monthly to assess the social-emotional development of children and provide staff with feedback and comments based on the interactions and engagement observed between adults and children.
• Provides training and support for staff who are seeking to obtain the Child Development Associate Infant and Toddler Credential.
• Provide staff with information regarding children’s temperament and best practice strategies to address their needs.
• Ensure the classroom environment addresses the social-emotional development of children by ensuring children are in a nurturing environment, they are being addressed individually by their names, being supported to engage with others and encouraged to move around the classroom freely to explore their environment.
• Ensure children are receiving feedback of acceptance and encouragement to communicate with adults and peers.
• Ensure parents are receiving training to support their engagement and interaction with their children in their home environment.
• Ensures the Prevention Initiative program operates per contractual requirements of five hours per day, five days per week.
• Serves as a member of the core administrative team to address continuous quality improvement and ongoing programmatic operations.
• Attends meeting sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education to obtain knowledge regarding the implementation of the Prevention Initiative Program.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience: Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education/Master’s degree preferred with 3 to 5 years of work experience with young children birth to age three and their families in licensed childcare facilities along with experience working with children and families in home-based settings.

Credential: 

Bachelors or Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to communicate and interpret State of Illinois requirements of the Prevention Initiative program.
• Mathematics and language arts proficiency 
• Bilingual preferred
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Access, etc.), Google Sheets and Google Forms
• Proficient in data entry and management
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Able to work collaboratively with teams
• Demonstrated reliability regarding attendance and work performance
• Ability to be creative, flexible and adaptive in ALL activities and responsibilities 
• Must be a team player