Early Head Start (EHS) Home Visitor

Summary:

The EHS Home Visitor is a program-specific position. This is a full-time direct service position within the Chugachmiut Division of Administration. Under the supervision of the Head Start Site Supervisor, the Home Visitor is responsible for providing home-based child and family development support services to enrolled families in accordance with the Head Start Program Performance Standards and other applicable federal and state regulations. When EHS enrollment is under 4 children, or as assigned by the Site Supervisor, functions as a Teacher Aide in the Head Start classroom. The EHS Home Visitor works as a team member to fulfill the following responsibilities:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plans weekly home visits utilizing the approved curriculum. Integrates educational, health, social services, and parent involvement activities in consultation with the individual family, component Coordinators, and other applicable staff. Curriculum content promotes school readiness and family engagement.
• Conducts weekly home visits with each family for one and one-half hours (one and three-fourths hours for families with 2 enrolled children). Schedules make up visits when visits are canceled and inform the Site Supervisor when schedule changes.
• Involve parents in planning, goal setting, and evaluation of each home visit.
• Incorporate all Head Start comprehensive services, including child development, health, nutrition, family services, parent engagement, and services to children with disabilities.
• Provide home visits to families in a culturally responsive and sensitive manner, making necessary accommodations and adaptations.
• Conduct recruitment activities within the community to inform families about the EHS program; contact families individually to enroll eligible children, including children with disabilities, in the program.
• Engage parents in educational activities to enhance their role as the primary teacher of their child(ren).
• Complete developmental, social/emotional, health, hearing, and vision screenings for each child annually.
• Conducts ongoing assessment of enrolled children through the TS GOLD system. Outcomes data is reported as required, and information is used to adjust home visit plans as needed.
• Develop, monitor, and review goals with each family.
• Connect families and facilitate the use of community resources that support them in reaching their goals and addressing their needs.
• Plan and facilitate socialization and parent activities that support families’ strengths, interests & needs.
• In partnership with Head Start staff, ensures health and safety of children at all times to include preparing the Head Start center for use of infants and toddlers, as applicable.
• In partnership with the Head Start Cook, provides meals for socializations in accordance with all applicable rules and regulations.
• In periods of low enrollment (4 EHS enrollees or under), function as a classroom teacher assistant under the direct supervision of the Head Start teacher.
• Participate in weekly staff meetings, regular supervisory meetings, and all required training.
• Maintain and submit all required family and program documentation on time. Prepares and submits weekly home visit reports, socialization documentation, and other forms as required.
• Maintain confidentiality of all information and records for enrolled children and families.
• Reports maintenance needs and requests for program materials to the Site Supervisor.
• Follow all Chugachmiut Policies and Procedures; comply with safety policies and general housekeeping practices.
• Demonstrate a sound work ethic, flexibility, and demonstrate dedication to the position.
• Demonstrate a positive attitude, be respectful, and possess cultural awareness and sensitivity toward clients and co-workers.
• Keep customer service and the mission of the organization in mind when interacting with all clients, co-workers, and others.
• Expected to be prepared to start shift on time, meet attendance standards, and work the hours necessary to perform the essential functions of the job.
• Employees are expected to embrace, support, and promote the core values of respect, integrity, trust, compassion, and quality, which align with Chugachmiut’s Mission and Vision through their actions and interactions with all patients, staff, and others.
• Conform to Chugachmiut policies, strict employee confidentiality, and HIPAA regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned or required.

Qualifications:

• At least 18 years of age
• High School Diploma or GED.
• Must meet the education requirements as prescribed in section 648A(a)(2)(B)(ii) of the Head Start Act: have a minimum of a home-based CDA credential or comparable credential (Alaska SEED Level 6), or equivalent coursework as part of an associate or bachelor’s degree. Suppose the employee does not meet this education requirement. In that case, the employee must complete their Professional Development Plan (PDP) within established timelines to maintain their position, with satisfactory annual progress towards achieving their degree as noted in their PDP.
• Preferred AA or BA in Early Childhood or Social Service-related field
• Ability to build cooperative relationships with tribes, communities, organizations, agencies, and families that support the goals of the Tribal Home Visiting Program.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to address diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated proficient personal computer skills.
• Organizational skills to maintain daily workflow and meet project deadlines.
• Knowledge and experience in the rural Alaskan way of life with strong competence in multi-ethnic environments
• Must have current CPR and First Aid training.

Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills:

• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Ability to maintain accountability for work performance.
• Knowledge or prior experience in child development and early childhood education and the principles of child health, safety and nutrition.
• Knowledge of community resources and the skills to link families with services.
• Ability and willingness to follow and comply with written and verbal directions, assignments, and instructions from appropriate Supervisory staff.
• Effective organizational and time management skills to complete program records, prepare required reports, arrange scheduling of clients, and submit required program materials according to agency timelines.
• Ability to complete evening and/or weekend home visits to accommodate parent needs and maintain enrollment, informing the Anchorage office and adjusting schedules when required.
• Requires visual and auditory ability to ensure the safety of children at all times during home visits and socialization events.
• Ability to work well with young children using developmentally appropriate practices on home visits and during socialization events.
• Ability to use email, the telephone, and other office machines, and to learn and comprehend word processing systems and classroom computer programs.
• Willingness/ability to learn new skills through workshops, conferences, and resources to enhance job development skills.
• Ability to work positively in a team environment, problem-solving, and ensuring conduct is respectful and cooperative.
• To pass criminal background checks, including fingerprinting.
• CPR and First Aid training within 1 month of hire
• Knowledge of providing age-appropriate home-based services to children aged 0-3 and their families.
• Skill in operating standard office equipment and a personal computer utilizing a variety of software applications.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with others.
• Skill in assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects, and demands.
• Skills in organization, problem-solving, priority setting, and deadline accomplishment.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Hours of Work:

Hours of work are Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., adjusting as necessary for home visits, parent meetings, or training events. Chugachmiut maintains a drug and alcohol and/non-smoking work environment.