Family Engagement/Maternal Wellness Coordinat

SUMMARY:

Educare Lincoln is a collaborative partnership between the Lincoln Public Schools (LPS), University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL), Early Head Start (EHS), and the Buffett Early Childhood Fund. The mission of Educare Lincoln is to help young children thrive socially, emotionally, and academically through high-quality early childhood education, and in partnership with their families and the community.  The EHS program (ages 6 weeks to 3 years) and the preschool program (ages 3 years to 5 years) promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of evidence-based education, health, nutritional, social, and other services to enrolled children and their families.

The Family Engagement/Maternal Wellness Coordinator assists in the recruitment and application of newly pregnant people. The Family Engagement/Maternal Wellness Coordinator assists families as needed to identify barriers that may impact a healthy pregnancy; they collaborate with teaching and administrative staff to reduce those barriers to ensure healthy maternal and birthing outcomes for each family.  They also develop and implement family engagement opportunities to enhance family well-being; educate on the risks of alcohol, drugs, smoking, and the benefits of substance use treatment; promote positive parent-child relationships; support family members as lifelong educators; and inform families during the transition of their children from one developmental program to another.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND KEY TASKS:

Maternal Wellness Services

• Assist in the recruitment of pregnant people within the first trimester of pregnancy.
• Create a family partnership agreement with each participant.
• Within the first 30 days of enrollment in the program, work with families to access appropriate health care if needed.
• Provide families with resources related to prenatal and newborn care.
• Track and record services an enrolled pregnant person receives, both from the program and through referrals, to help identify specific prenatal care services and resources the enrolled pregnant person needs to support a healthy pregnancy.
• Establish and lead weekly prenatal support group meetings.
• Conduct a minimum of 2 home visits per prenatal participant.
• Develop a safety checklist appropriate for each family. 
• Work with families to plan for transitioning their infants into Educare Lincoln’s EHS programs or another high-quality infant care program.

Family Engagement Services

• Recognize parents as their children’s primary teachers and nurturers and implement intentional strategies to engage parents in their children’s learning and development and support parent-child relationships, including specific strategies for father engagement.
• Develop relationships with parents and structure services to encourage trust and respectful, ongoing two-way communication between staff and parents to create welcoming program environments that incorporate the unique cultural, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds of families in the program and community.
• Engage with fellow staff, family members, and children in a manner sensitive to the experiences, needs, and strengths of low-income and diverse populations as well as individuals with disabilities.
• Complete a Family Needs Assessment and develop family goals.
• Support families of children with disabilities and/or behavioral concerns and make referrals as needed.
• Plan and facilitate regularly scheduled family activities and family involvement events.
• Use a research-based parenting curriculum that builds on parents’ knowledge and offers parents the opportunity to practice parenting skills to promote children’s learning and development.
• Collaborate with the Family Engagement Outreach Coordinator and ERSEA coordinator to recruit and enroll children and families eligible for comprehensive services, while maintaining full enrollment, and serve families most in need of services, all according to federal guidelines. 

Other

• Plan and facilitate a regular informational/activity meeting for families.
• Represent Educare at community events in a positive and professional manner.
• Participate in monthly multidisciplinary team meetings.
• Maintain manual and electronic files and records.

•  Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Social Work, Child Development or related field required.
• Two or more years of experience working with prenatal and postpartum parents and infants required.
• Two or more years of experience working with families in a community-based, culturally, and/or socioeconomically diverse or family-centered program required.
• Previous Head Start or early childhood experience preferred.
• Valid driver’s license and automobile insurance required.
• Must be able to pass a background check that meets compliance standards.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS / ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Ability to establish supportive relationships and form an alliance with staff and families from diverse backgrounds.
• Knowledge of community culture, resources, and services.
• Knowledge of state TANF and/or childcare block grant regulations.
• Knowledge of principles and best practices of family engagement.
• Basic knowledge of child development.
• Ability to effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing.
• Public speaking skills with the ability to facilitate small groups.
• Ability to provide effective assistance in crisis situations.
• Ability to work cooperatively with an interdisciplinary team of professionals.
• Organization skills with the ability to manage time and multiple priorities.
• Ability to maintain boundaries and perform all duties in an ethical and professional manner.
• Compliance with all confidentiality regulations as required.
• Ability to operate a computer and office equipment including, but not limited to, a telephone, fax machine, and copier.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability and willingness to travel to community agencies and make home visits.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including mornings, evenings, and/or weekends.
• Ability to kneel or sit on floor, lift, carry, and move center/classroom equipment, supplies, bulky objects and/or children weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to walk or run quickly, kneel or sit on floor, bend, lift, and walk over rough or uneven ground in and outside of the facility.

Ability to obtain First Aid and CPR certification.