Family Partner II - Developmental Educator

Description

Job Title: Family Partner II - Developmental Educator 

Department: Early Childhood and Family Services   

FLSA Status: Non-exempt   

Hours/Weeks: Full Year, Full Time  

Bargaining Unit Position: (Y/N): No 

Level: 3 

Hiring Range: $20.00 - $24.83 

NEKCA Mission Statement: 

To empower all generations in the Northeast Kingdom to grow, prosper, and thrive. 

SUMMARY: 

Family Partners at NEKCA support families in goal setting, child development, and wholistic family well-being. Recognizing that families are their child’s first teacher, NEKCA utilizes a strengths-based approach to help families thrive. Family Partners utilize a variety of strategies may include home visiting, coaching, and offering enrichment activities like community playgroups. Family Partners are part of a larger Early Childhood Team at NEKCA that collaborates to provide seamless services that put families at the center. 

This position is for a Family Partner on our Children’s Integrated Services Early Intervention team. The Early Intervention team work with infants and toddlers that are at risk for or may be experiencing delays in the areas of cognitive, physical, communication, social/emotional or adaptive skills and their caregivers. The Developmental Educator is a family partner that provides play-based interventions to children and their caregivers using modeling and coaching. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

•  Home or childcare visiting 

•  Direct service with child utilizing play 

•  Family coaching for child’s caregiver/s 

•  Case management & service coordination 

•  Meeting facilitation 

•  Understanding of Infant & Toddler development 

•  Understanding of Part C Early Intervention regulations 

•  Participate as a member on multi-disciplinary teams 

•  Work toward and maintain Part C Early Intervention State Certification 

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES:  

N/A, this position does not supervise any staff. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

•  Conduct services/visits in child’s most natural environment, typically home or childcare 

•  Provide services to child using play, at their level, sometimes on the floor, at the table or outside. 

•  Coordinate and facilitate initial intake, completing family interview and paperwork 

•  Coordinate and facilitate initial assessment/evaluation  

•  Develop child’s One Plan (IFSP) with caregiver/s 

•  Assist caregiver/s in accessing community supports to address identified needs 

•  Facilitate 6-month and annual reviews of One Plans and other team meetings, providing necessary progress reports and updated assessments. 

•  Facilitate transition planning to EEE (Early Essential Education) services or other community resources. 

•  Maintain a file on each child, ensuring that all documentation, releases, and consents are completed accurately and timely, in accordance with state and federal guidelines. 

•  Communicate regularly with other service providers working with the child to provide continuity of services.  

•  Maintain and submit all billings and documentation requirements weekly. 

•  Maintain confidentiality of family records and other information. 

•  Attend regular staff meetings, and all other multi-disciplinary meetings as needed. 

•  Seek and attend ongoing professional development opportunities determined by Individual Professional Development Plan. 

Requirements

 POSITION REQUIREMENTS:  
Education and Experience:  

•  Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education, Early Education, or Early Childhood Development, Physical or Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Social Work, Nursing, Psychology, or other related Human Services field with a minimum of at least two years of experience providing direct services to children under the age of three with disabilities or special needs and their families, utilizing developmentally appropriate and evidence-based practices. 
•  Early Interventionist responsible for certifying evaluations conducted for the purpose of determining Part C eligibility must hold a current Vermont CIS-EI certification, another State’s equivalent, or Early Childhood Special Education license endorsement. 
•  Valid Vermont driver's license and insurance 

1-2 years relevant experience required 

•  Knowledge of healthy infant, toddler, and child development. 
•  Knowledge and understanding of family-centered philosophy and the ability to translate that philosophy into practice. 
•  Experience working with infants and toddlers 
•  Experience working with families utilizing coaching and modeling 
•  Experience working independently and as a member of a multidisciplinary team. 
•  Experience in home visiting. 
•  Experience with meeting facilitation 

Core Competencies: 

•   Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Must be able to maintain good relations with participants, other staff, and members of the community.  
•   Must have knowledge of basic computer skills and record keeping, including spreadsheet applications.  
•   Proficiency in Microsoft Office products and database management systems. 
•   This position is considered a mandated reporter.  
•  Commitment to the wellbeing of infants, toddlers, and their caregivers during their most formative years of development. 
•  Ability to work well under deadline pressures without sacrificing accuracy or customer service.  
•  Ability to maintain schedule of daily visits, meetings, and paperwork in an organized fashion 
•  Must be responsible, self-motivated, self-initiated, may need to work flexible hours (program dependent)  
•   Demonstrate positive problem-solving skills in stressful situations.  
•   Demonstrate the ability to work effectively as part of a team. 
•   Demonstrate familiarity with, and sensitivity to the challenges faced by low-income individuals, and some knowledge of the community and available resources to address them. 
•   Maintain confidentiality. 
•   Complete all required trainings and professional development. 

Core Values:  

•  Demonstrate competency in all five areas of NEKCA’s Core Values. 
•  Empower individuals to recognize and utilize their potential for growth and positive change. 
•  Build and maintain strong relationships with the local community. 
•  Involve community members in the organization's initiatives and decision-making processes. 
•  Uphold ethical standards in all interactions with participants and the community. 
•  Participate in self-reflection and self-care practices to prevent burnout. 
•  Adhere to ethical guidelines and professional codes of conduct. 
•  Maintain participant confidentiality and ensuring participant safety. 
•  Use clear, respectful, and professional language and behavior when communicating with participants, colleagues, and other service providers. 
•  Demonstrate a genuine understanding of and care for the needs and feelings of participants or service users.  
•  In person attendance required during scheduled hours as defined by your supervisor. 
•  Be respectful and sensitive to participant’s unique situations and challenges. 
•  Represent NEKCA in public and advocate for its mission. 

Background Checks: 
Employees in this role are required to undergo a background check in accordance with NEKCA policy, which may include verifying education, employment history, criminal background and driving records. 

Transportation Requirements: 
This position requires that employees possess a valid driver's license, favorable driving record results and have access to dependable transportation. 


WORKING CONDITIONS: 
Employees in this position work primarily in an office environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions. The work involves sitting for extended periods of time, using a computer and other office equipment, and may require occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds. Position has occasionally bending, stooping, or reaching for items. Standing or moving around the office area. 
Travel: Home visits involve travel to participants' homes. This can vary from local travel to covering a larger geographic area, depending on the nature of the job.  
Participant Diversity: Professionals conducting home visits often work with a diverse range of participants, each with unique needs, backgrounds, and living conditions. 
Safety Considerations: Safety is a crucial aspect of home visits. Professionals need to be aware of their surroundings and take precautions to ensure their safety, especially if they are visiting unfamiliar or potentially risky environments. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

Salary : $20 - $24