Parent Educator (Home Visitor)

Children’s Place Association•Chicago, IL

61d

About The Position

The Parent Educator is responsible for providing weekly home visits to families enrolled in the Home Based Education program. The Parent Educator implements learning games and the Parents as Teachers curriculum and maintains confidential family files. He/She participates in the family socializations and activities, gives program information to clients and engages in weekly staff meetings. The Parent Educator must uphold all program standards, including educational, nutritional, health, social service and parent involvement components. He/She must be flexible, have the ability to develop rapport with parents and work within the framework of the program’s goals and objectives.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development or related field; Child Development Associate (CDA) credential for Home Visitor; or Illinois Gateways Early Childhood Education credential (Level 3 or higher) required.
Approved user status of Parents as Teachers Foundation 1 and Foundation 2, and completion of Pathway to Professional Development Plan for home-based staff required within 12 months of hire.
Minimum of 3 years of experience working with young children and families required.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Experience working with community based early childhood programs preferred.
Experience working with persons living with chronic illness and families living in poverty preferred.
Knowledge of Early Head Start performance standards preferred.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) written and verbal communication skills preferred.

Responsibilities

Schedules and conducts weekly home based personal visits with families enrolled in the Home Based Education program.
Plans and implements developmentally appropriate home based activities; works jointly with parents to develop weekly activity plans based on each child’s assessment and identified family needs.
Facilitates active parental involvement during home visits by presenting appropriate activities to the parent to present to the child.
In collaboration with the parent, develops an individualized education plan for each child; reflects the cultural and ethnic backgrounds of all children in materials, equipment and learning experiences.
Facilitates development of self control in children by using positive guidance techniques.
Observes, assesses and documents each child’s health, skills, behavior, growth and development; enters required data into online systems.
Assists in identifying children with special needs and makes referrals for services as needed.
Integrates other family need components into home visits, including health, nutrition, mental health, parent involvement and special needs.
Maintains a confidential family file for each family on his/her caseload.
Collaborates with Family Support Specialist and Home Based Education Supervisor in case management screenings and staffings.
Serves as an advocate for families enrolled in the program and as a liaison between families, the program and the larger community.
Assists with recruitment and enrollment of new eligible families into the program.
Participates in ongoing training and staff development provided by Early Head Start, Chicago Public Schools, Home Based Education Supervisor, Program Manager, other consultants, workshops and conferences.
Assists in planning and implementation of group socializations and monthly parent meetings.
Encourages parent participation in Early Head Start Parent Committee meetings, group socializations and other events or trainings.
Assists parents and Family Support Specialist in coordinating transition plans for children transitioning to an early childhood program for ages 3-5.
Participates in Children’s Place quality assurance initiatives as needed and appropriate to improve service quality and ensure compliance with licensing, accreditation and contractual standards.
Performs other duties as necessary to meet new funding requirements or as assigned by the Program Manager.