Home Visitor-Early Head Start Program

Position:
Early Head Start Home Visitor
Reports to:
EHS Family Services Coordinator

SUMMARY: To provide comprehensive and culturally sensitive support services to families participating in the Early Head Start program with the purpose of support and education. Maintain consistent on-going contact with families and work with all other program components (mental health, health and nutrition, disabilities, family services) to integrate educational goals and developmentally appropriate practices into the family setting. Conduct monthly socialization activities for children and families.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Drive to family home and deliver developmental, social and nutritional information and parents via weekly 90- minute meetings for each family on roster. (up to 12)
• Assist parents in establishing and implementing long and short-range goals for their children, facilitate home interactive educational activities and model effective parenting skills in order to help strengthen and increase family’s knowledge of child development and understanding of how children grow and learn.
• Plan and develop with families Partnership Agreements and provide information and referrals as needed.
• Provide information to families relative to Early Head Start health and nutrition requirements in order to increase their knowledge of health and nutrition.
• Arrange for complete physical and dental screenings and vaccinations; provide nutritional guidance; maintain records on dental and health visits as required.
• Provide families with resource referrals and client advocacy while strengthening their knowledge of community resources.
• Model positive communication, child development techniques and foster relationship skills.
• Meet the needs of all children; including those at risk, those with special needs, those who are gifted, and those who are culturally diverse.
• Develop and utilize planning and individualized planning forms which reflect both mandated elements and parental and cultural influences, and which promote the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of Early Head Start children.
• Provide individualized curriculum for each child.
• Encourage experimentation, exploration, problem solving, cooperation, socialization, and individuality.
• Provide an atmosphere that promotes and reinforces parental involvement in the classroom.
• Work with appropriate agencies and other resources to develop Individual Family Service Plans.
• Coordinate with special needs providers and participate in the development of a collaborative approach that benefits all children and meets the needs specified in the IFSP.
• Promote best practices through interaction, observation and modeling.

Planning and Preparation

• Review each child’s goals and write comprehensive individual plans to promote current learning and attend to nutritional, health, and social issues.
• Develop and utilize teaching methods and materials for use in the classroom socializations and home.
• Parent Meetings
• Plan and facilitate group meetings, which provide education and information on current Early Head Start Policy and curriculum development.
• Coordinate parent volunteer schedule, assuring adequate involvement and an appropriate adult/child ratio.
• Documentation
• Maintain accurate written records including: assessments IFSP documentation, screening instruments, anecdotal observations, and other required forms.
• Trainings/Meetings
• Attend meetings, trainings, multi-disciplinary meetings and professional development activities as appropriate.
• Perform other duties as requested.
• Coordination
• Communicate frequently with other staff and parents; serve as a liaison among medical and social services in the community; act as an advocate for Early Head Start families.
• Communications
• With site staff for scheduling and problem solving.
• With parents, one-on-one and by telephone, to promote and encourage participation, goal setting, and plan implementation for both the child and the family.
• With the service community, in person and by telephone, to act as a liaison, coordinate services, and act as an advocate for family.
• With supervisor.

Knowledge/Skills/Experience Required

Strong professional experience in Early Childhood Education, Human Services or related field;

• CDA credential or equivalent coursework in child development or early childhood education as part of an Associate’s degree.
• Bilingual candidates in Spanish/English encouraged to apply.
• Experience in counseling and case management preferred.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to deal objectively with sensitive family issues; prior home visiting experience preferred.
• Good organizational and records keeping skills.
• Ability to work as a team member.
• Valid California Driver’s License and First Aid/CPR certified.
• Open until filled.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk, use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel object, tools, or controls; and to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel and crouch. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. The employee frequently lifts and/or moves up to 20 pounds and occasionally lifts and/or moves up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may work in outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually mild to moderate.

BENEFITS: Benefits for full time employees include:

Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance/403b Retirement

2 weeks of paid time off plus 13 paid holidays

12 days of sick leave accrual

Lake Family Resource Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer