Job Type Full-time Description

About our organization

Since 1981, Options for Learning has been at the forefront of helping families break the cycle of poverty and improve their lives by providing tools to create a positive foundation for school, social, and life success.

Our dedicated and passionate employees have helped our organization become one of Southern California's most innovative and progressive child development organizations, serving nearly 9,000 children throughout the San Gabriel Valley.

About this position

This position is responsible for guiding family child care providers in providing trauma-informed care and increasing their awareness of the unique developmental, mental health, and attachment needs of foster children from birth to age 5 within a trauma context.

We are looking for someone with an upbeat, positive attitude who is eager to support the organization’s mission and achieve its strategic goals.

What you’ll be doing

• Assisting providers with incorporating trauma-informed care strategies into the curriculum to support trauma-exposed children in their care;
• Increasing provider knowledge of early preventive strategies to decrease foster child attrition and prevent higher-level behaviors of concern by addressing the trauma and relational needs of children;
• Encouraging providers to increase resource family involvement in the child care setting;
• Providing one-on-one coaching, modeling, and supportive feedback for providers at the child care provider homes / sites;
• Communicating with family child care providers to gain an understanding of mental health and behavioral concerns and developing a support plan;
• Conducting observations of and assisting with newly placed children;
• Coordinating and facilitating collaborative meetings with child care providers;
• Working collaboratively with the Options for Learning Bridge and Resource and Referral teams, in conjunction with program contractors (Child Care Alliance of Los Angeles and Drew Child Development Corporation);
• Participating in collaborative meetings with the Bridge coordinators and navigators, the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) workers, foster family agencies, and other community partners;
• Completing child abuse reports as needed;
• Participating in staff meetings, roundtables, teleconferences, service area processes, and monthly reporting with Bridge coordinators;
• Maintaining proper confidentiality procedures when handling records and information;
• Developing and maintaining well-defined lines of communication and professional boundaries;
• Maintaining provider training and coaching records for the Bridge Program;
• Working collaboratively with colleagues, DCFS, Child Care Alliance of Los Angeles (CCALA), and other agencies to ensure effective program implementation;
• Maintaining records of program activities and tracking provider participation;
• Remaining current with child development, trauma-informed care, mental health literature, research, and trends in the business and politics of early care and education;
• Maintaining and replenishing curriculum materials;
• Preparing oral and written reports;
• Representing the organization and CCALA at community events including sponsored events, community outreaches, Bridge meetings, and special planning area meetings;
• Attending designated community meetings and other meetings;
• Performing other related duties as assigned.

What you bring to the table

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, human services, social work, or psychology;
• Master’s degree in early childhood education, human services, social work, or psychology (preferred);
• Minimum of three years of relevant experience facilitating trainings and working with children and families (specifically children ages birth to 5 years);
• An understanding of the impact of trauma with children and early childhood developmental needs;
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, mental health issues of foster children, developmentally appropriate practices, effective teaching strategies, regulations, licensing, and DCFS policies;
• Experience with or understanding of child care, child care providers, or family child care homes;
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively with diverse populations;
• Ability to be flexible, innovative, and adaptable to the changing needs of the program, department, and organization;
• Previous experience that demonstrates effective problem-solving and decision-making skills and ability to work autonomously with multiple sites;
• Effective time management and organizational skills and the ability to successfully meet position requirements;
• Strong effective written and verbal communication and presentation skills;
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and competing priorities while meeting deadlines;
• Current certification in pediatric CPR (yearly), pediatric first aid (yearly) and preventive health that is acceptable to community care licensing (Health and Safety code 1596.866);
• Proof of immunization for measles and pertussis as required by state law;
• Proof of annual flu vaccination or provide waiver to decline vaccination (ongoing requirement);
• Must successfully pass the Department of Justice (DOJ) criminal background check prior to first day of employment;
• Spanish fluency (contract requirement);
• Command of Cantonese, Mandarin, or Vietnamese (preferred);
• A California driver’s license, daily use of an automobile, and automobile liability insurance.

What we can offer you

• Medical / dental / vision for part- and full-time employees (organization pays up to 90% of employee's premiums; prorated for part-time);
• Organization-paid and matching retirement plan;
• Professional growth opportunities, including free child development courses and college reimbursement;
• Generous and flexible PTO;
• Dedicated, mission-driven colleagues, and much more!

Job specifications

• Reports to the Resource and Referral / Stage 1 coordinator;
• Full-time, 12-month work year;
• Eight-hour workday;
• Four-day work week (beginning July 1, 2024);
• Opportunity for hybrid-work schedule may be available and to be determined by management;
• Limited evening or weekend hours may be required;
• Employment, responsibilities, compensation and other factors may be affected by changes in governmental regulations, the organization’s contracts, or at organization discretion.

Salary

• $31.26 per hour

Last updated : 2024-05-23