Parent Educator

TITLE: Parent Educator

Date Updated: 10/07/2026

DEPARTMENT: Family Enrichment Program (Freeport, IL)

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood or Human Services field preferred. Minimum high school diploma required; two years of supervised work experience with young children and/or parents required, must pass background check.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills conducive to initiating and developing relationships with adults and children from diverse backgrounds, conveying respect for families with different cultural, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds (e.g., nonjudgmental, objective, reflective, empathic, patient, tactful)
• Must demonstrate the ability to maintain successful experience and leadership in establishing partnerships to support families with young children within schools and communities.
• Must have reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license, and proof of insurance.
• Travel will be required to the family's homes throughout Stephenson and Jo Daviess Counties.
• Strong organizational and record keeping skills
• Computer skills; including web browsing, email, internet, and word- processing
• A commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility
• Ability to work independently and be self-motivated (often in the field)
• Upon hire, the parent educator must complete the Parents as Teachers Foundational and Model Implementation Trainings
• Physical needs of position require bending, lifting, and sitting on the floor

REPORTS TO: Program Co-Coordinator

WORK SCHEDULE: Full time, 12-month position, 35 hours per week. Travel within the region, limited overnight travel for training may be required. Grant funded position contingent on continued state funding.

SALARY RANGE: $19.00 - $22.00/hour

BENEFITS:

• Employer paid Individual health, dental, vision insurance
• Flexible benefit plan
• State of Illinois Retirement System (IMRF)
• Paid sick/vacation/holidays

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plan and Implement a developmentally appropriate home-based program for families, including prenatal and children 0-3, based upon Illinois State Board of Education’s Birth to Three Program Standards and Parents as Teachers model.
• Implement the Parents as Teachers program, which includes partnerships with parents, schools, community organizations, and health care providers.
• Recruit and enroll parents during pregnancy and with children from birth to age three
• Plan and participate in recruitments events held by the program (as applicable)
• Plan, provide and document personal visits focused on parent-child interaction, development-centered parenting, and family well-being.
• Complete family centered assessments, health reviews, and developmental screenings with enrolled families.
• Complete outcomes with families to include: PICCOLO, CES-D Depression screening, and Relationship Assessment Tool with enrolled families and make appropriate referrals as needed.
• Develop an Individual Family Goal Plan and other documentation with each family and routinely revisit and update the plan.
• Connect families to resources that help them reach their goals and address their needs.
• Help parents and children transition to other services as needed, to preschool, or other providers in the area.
• Serve as a model of professionalism through interactions with children, parents, community and school partners, and program staff.
• Provide birth to three community screenings.
• Complete and submit in timely manner documentation as determined appropriate by the Coordinator, ISBE, and Parents as Teachers.
• Obtain competency-based professional development and renew parent educator certification annually. This may also include videotaping home visits for reflective supervision and/or for staff meeting skill-building development.
• Participate in at least two hours of reflective supervision monthly and at least 2 hours of staff meetings monthly.
• Plan and conduct parent and child groups as assigned 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.
• Learn and document information in the Visit Tracker Data System.
• Maintain and submit in a timely way all required family and program documentation and reporting.
• Organize and inventory supplies/materials, etc.
• Participate in PAT Quality Endorsement and Improvement Process, Continuous Quality Improvement, and ISBE monitoring requirements, which will include monitoring interview, file reviews, and videotaping of visits.
• Perform other duties called for within the position as needed.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $19.00 - $22.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• working with young children and families: 2 years (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Bachelor's Degree (Preferred)
• High School Diploma and related work experience (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Freeport, IL 61032 (Preferred)

Work Location: In person