Overview

A certified Parent Educator implements the Parents as Teachers (PAT) model, emphasizing parent-child interaction, development centered parenting, and family well-being in their work with families. Utilizing the PAT Foundational Curriculum in diverse, equitable, and inclusive ways, the Parent Educator partners, facilitates, and reflects with families. This is accomplished by providing education in the form of personal visits, group meetings, screenings, and linkages to a network of resources for parents and children.

Responsibilities

The primary responsibilities of the Parent Educator include:

• Attend Foundational and Model Implementation training for certification for children ages 0-3
• Attend Foundational 2 certification for children age 3-5
• Provide parent education through regular personal visits both virtually and in person, implementing the Parents as Teachers Foundational 1 and 2 Curriculum
• Assess family’s needs and provide developmentally appropriate information, guidance, and support to parents
• Conduct all required screenings under program guidelines and fidelity requirements
• Work with the PAT team to organize, plan, coordinate, and facilitate monthly Parent Connections activities
• Represent the Parents as Teachers program at various community events supporting families and/or young children
• Coordinate services with other community programs offering resources to parents and their young children
• Recruit initial caseload, and engage in recruitment activities on a regular basis to replace exiting families
• Plan, provide, and document personal visits focused on parent-child interaction, development centered parenting, and family well-being
• Use PAT Foundational curriculum to share research-based information with families
• Invite families to Parent Connections to give families an opportunity to build social connections with each other, engage in parent-child interaction activities, and increase their knowledge of ways to support children's development
• Maintain and submit in a timely way all required family and program documentation to meet program fidelity and funder requirements
• Organize supplies and materials needed to complete personal visits, etc.
• Participate in at least 2 hours of individual reflective supervision, 90 minutes of group reflective supervision monthly, among other staff meetings
• Obtain competency-based professional development and renew parent educator certification annually

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, social work, psychology, or a related field is preferred but may be substituted with five years of experience working directly with young children and families or related field
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred, but not required
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to establish rapport with families and empower them by building on their strengths
• Strong organizational and record-keeping skills
• Ability to feel comfortable speaking with individuals about PAT and attend community events for recruitment purposes
• Ability to work independently and be self-motivated (work is often away from the office)
• Computer skills; including Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Internet
• Ability to complete the Parents as Teachers Foundational and Model Implementation Trainings before delivering PAT services
• Familiarity with issues surrounding family poverty
• Commitment to working with diverse people and families
• Provide services in a culturally appropriate/sensitive manner
• Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality
• Demonstrate ability to work as an effective team member
• Maintain current certification as a Parent Educator by completing the required professional development hours for years of service
• Valid Kentucky Driver’s License and proof of valid vehicle insurance
• Reliable vehicle

Position Type

• Full-Time (evening and weekends at times)