HEAD START - RV - Home Visitor

Tri-Valley Opportunity Council Inc•Ada, MN

About The Position

SUMMARY OF PRIMARY FUNCTION: The Home Visitor provides in-home instruction as well as a group socialization experience to parents, guardians and children, which will enhance the ability to fill the role as their child’s first teacher. Maintain ongoing contact with families and work with integrating services into the family setting. Helps recruit potential parents by providing information to them about the various program services and benefits offered to enrolled children and families. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Home Visits Conducts weekly 90-minute home visits with young children and their families. Creates and maintains respectful partnerships with families. Plans home visits, which enhance the parent/guardian’s role as primary educators of their children. Seeks input from parents/guardians on planning weekly home visits. Assists and supports families in locating resources and scheduling appointments with community resources. Carries out “curriculum” for child development in the context of the home and during group “socialization” experiences. Offers parents/guardians the opportunity to engage in collaborative family partnership agreement process. Make contact with parents/guardians, as applicable to develop ongoing relationships. Acts as liaison and advocate between community resources and Head Start families. Completes documentation of home visits, socialization experiences, and other relevant activities. Maintains confidentiality of family records and information. Encourages parental efforts and facilitates opportunities. Approach to working with families that is empathic, nonjudgmental, respectful and professional. Plans and Expedites Services Supports parents/guardians in developing relationships with others. Cooperates and assists in the coordination of services with other agencies for families, including children with disabilities, i.e. attending IEP meetings. Assists families by obtaining necessary follow-up services, including medical/dental. Provides intervention for families during a crisis. Develops a professional working relationship with other human service agencies. Acquires supportive services offered throughout the community and networks with the appropriate agencies. Maintain accurate data in Child Plus and MyTeaching Strategies. Socialization Opportunities Facilitates group “socialization” experiences and other family group activities. Plans and sets-up schedule, room arrangement and environment for children, which is supportive and appropriate to meet their needs according to program curriculum. Plans activities, which create a varied and wide-range of opportunities for children to explore and experience. Provides bi-monthly socializations for infants/toddlers and their primary caregivers. Meets the needs of all children including those at risk, those with special needs, those who are gifted, and those who are culturally diverse. Communication and Training Consults with service areas and site staff on enrolled children on an ongoing basis. Informs office and site of changes in scheduling, staff patterns and changes in family status. Attends meetings, staffing, training and professional development activities as appropriate. Contacts Center Manager when a family has missed home visits, or has had irregular attendance based on the Attendance Policy. Safety Have or obtain within 90 days of hire a First Aid and CPR Certification as well as maintain the certification during employment.

Requirements

Proof of valid driver’s license and current vehicle insurance coverage.
Comfortable working with computers, willing and able to learn program specific systems.
Demonstrated competency to plan and implement home-based learning experiences that ensure effective implementation of the home visiting curriculum and promote children’s progress across the standards.
Knowledge of community resources and the ability to link families with appropriate agencies and services.
Flexibility with respect to time and days able to work to meet family needs, including evenings.
Home Visitor V Master’s Degree in Social Work/Human Services, Early Childhood Education/Child Development, Family and Consumer Science; or,Master’s Degree in a Human Services related field with 3 years of experience working in a Head Start or early childhood education program.
Home Visitor IV Baccalaureate Degree in Social Work/Human Services, Early Childhood Education/Child Development, Family and Consumer Science; or,Baccalaureate Degree in a Human Services related field with 3 years of experience working in a Head Start or early childhood education program.
Home Visitor III Associate Degree in Human Services, Early Childhood Education/Child Development, Family and Consumer Science
Home Visitor IIHome-Based Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or a comparable credential.
Home Visitor IAt least 18 years of ageHigh school diploma or GEDAbility to obtain, within 18 months of hire or placement in position, a Home-Based Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. CDA credential coursework will be provided.

Responsibilities

Conducts weekly 90-minute home visits with young children and their families.
Creates and maintains respectful partnerships with families.
Plans home visits, which enhance the parent/guardian’s role as primary educators of their children.
Seeks input from parents/guardians on planning weekly home visits.
Assists and supports families in locating resources and scheduling appointments with community resources.
Carries out “curriculum” for child development in the context of the home and during group “socialization” experiences.
Offers parents/guardians the opportunity to engage in collaborative family partnership agreement process.
Make contact with parents/guardians, as applicable to develop ongoing relationships.
Acts as liaison and advocate between community resources and Head Start families.
Completes documentation of home visits, socialization experiences, and other relevant activities.
Maintains confidentiality of family records and information.
Encourages parental efforts and facilitates opportunities.
Approach to working with families that is empathic, nonjudgmental, respectful and professional.
Supports parents/guardians in developing relationships with others.
Cooperates and assists in the coordination of services with other agencies for families, including children with disabilities, i.e. attending IEP meetings.
Assists families by obtaining necessary follow-up services, including medical/dental.
Provides intervention for families during a crisis.
Develops a professional working relationship with other human service agencies.
Acquires supportive services offered throughout the community and networks with the appropriate agencies.
Maintain accurate data in Child Plus and MyTeaching Strategies.
Facilitates group “socialization” experiences and other family group activities.
Plans and sets-up schedule, room arrangement and environment for children, which is supportive and appropriate to meet their needs according to program curriculum.
Plans activities, which create a varied and wide-range of opportunities for children to explore and experience.
Provides bi-monthly socializations for infants/toddlers and their primary caregivers.
Meets the needs of all children including those at risk, those with special needs, those who are gifted, and those who are culturally diverse.
Consults with service areas and site staff on enrolled children on an ongoing basis.
Informs office and site of changes in scheduling, staff patterns and changes in family status.
Attends meetings, staffing, training and professional development activities as appropriate.
Contacts Center Manager when a family has missed home visits, or has had irregular attendance based on the Attendance Policy.
Have or obtain within 90 days of hire a First Aid and CPR Certification as well as maintain the certification during employment.