Parent Educator

Job Description:Early Head Start Parent Educator

Department: Early Learning Program

Reports To: Parent Educator

Supervises: N/A

Starting Salary: $17.65/hr with an Associates’ degree; $23.70/hr with a Bachelors’ degree

40 hours per week

Full benefit package (starting the 1 of the month after 30 days)

403B day one, match up to 7%

Accrued sick time

Accrued vacation time

3 personal days

Professional development opportunities

17 paid holidays including your birthday

18% discount on qualifying cell phone bills

Job Summary:

This is direct services work in ACE’s Early Learning Program working with a maximum of 12 families and pregnant moms in the home environment delivering the full range of Early Head Start services to enhance the development of infants and toddlers while strengthening families using the Parents as Teachers Curriculum. The Parent Educator establishes trust and a partnership with the family in setting goals for their child and for themselves, supporting parent/child interactions and offering information and activities that align with family goals. The Parent Educator travels throughout Lackawanna, Pike, Susquehanna and Wayne Counties to perform essential job duties and/or attend professional development opportunities.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Demonstrates a working knowledge of the Early Head Start philosophy and federal Performance Standards ensuring compliance with applicable policies/procedures, laws, regulations
• Conducts a minimum of forty-six (46) home visits per child/family per year at a minimum of 1.5 hour each, integrating all Service Areas into the family experience
• Helps plan and participate in Group Socialization Activities held in the families’ neighborhoods over the course of the program year
• Assesses children, documents behavior and evaluates results. Works with the parent(s) to develop individual learning plans for their infant or toddler, modeling parent/child interaction and ways to organize and prepare activities and materials for the home environment.
• Enters child and family data into the Program’s data management system (COPA) in an accurate and timely manner that includes demographics, child and health information, resources and referrals, and relevant case notes, etc.
• Encourages and supports school readiness, family engagement, and positive interventions and supports in all aspects of the program
• Submits reports, correspondence, and related information to Supervisor and Service Area Managers as required
• Participates in staff meetings and planning sessions
• Maintains regular communication with community resources relevant to service area, establishing working relationships that advocate for and support families and children in program
• Provides support and assistance to health services staff in assisting pregnant moms access comprehensive prenatal and postpartum care including an assessment of nutritional status, health promotion and treatment, and mental health services and follow-up as needed.
• Attends IEP meetings and works with/provides input to the Facilitators/Special Services Managers and community professionals to meet children’s special needs
• Adheres to Early Head Start requirements pertaining to families including parent orientation to services, family partnership agreements, and family wellness plans. Involves parents in an active partnership that engages them in setting and attaining goals that will help them reach, maintain and surpass economic stability (ex: Budgeting; Asset Building; Continued Education, etc.). Completes case management documentation in a timely, accurate and confidential manner
• Acts as a resource to families by educating them about the resources and linkages that are available in their communities in such areas as child support. Makes and documents appropriate referrals for families as indicated. Assists families in crisis in such areas as food, housing, clothing, and transportation
• Becomes familiar with the public assistance system. Uses a strengths-based approach to build an active partnership with Head Start families that will enable them to reach and maintain economic stability. Completes case management documentation in a timely, accurate and confidential manner
• Becomes familiar with child support enforcement procedures. Acts as a resource to families involved with child support issues by educating them about the resources and linkages that are available in their communities
• Makes parents aware of GED classes, the Literary and Drug Awareness Program and the Senior Volunteer Program. Serves as guide to parents in their transition to community services and to/from Early Head Start
• Provides parents with guidance, information and training to build upon their parenting skills, personal development and understanding of child development
• Provides parents with information/opportunities for continuing education leading toward self-enrichment and employment
• Reports pertinent changes in family/child demographics to management staff
• Works with Health Services staff in the completion of child physicals, immunizations, follow-up appointments and treatment
• Advocates for the Head Start and Early Head Start program within the community by engaging various community agencies in building positive collaborative partnerships
• Works with the ERSEA Coordinator to develop and implement recruitment strategies. Actively recruits for all program options on an ongoing basis
• Keeps children safe by creating and maintaining a Culture of Safety that engages people in identifying safety concerns and working with others to improve strategies used in homes and in centers
• Engages in the active supervision of children at all times, ensuring that no child is left unattended
• Respects and responds appropriately to the culture, language, values, and family structures of each family served
• Maintains strict confidentiality of the program’s children, families and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures and applicable law
• Functions as mandated reporter reporting any allegations of alleged child abuse/neglect to appropriate Child Welfare Agency
• Participates actively in opportunities for continuous professional development. Becomes trained and proficient in effective home visiting practices
• Performs related work as required

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge and use of best practices to engage in positive supportive conversations and interactions with young children
• Knowledge and use of best practices for integrating family engagement in positive behavior interventions and supports
• Ability to demonstrate an approach to service delivery that is consistent with the mission of the Early Learning Program
• Intermediate to advanced computer skills including data entry and e-mail for communication purposes. Knowledge of Microsoft office products, Google Drive, and on-line database systems
• Ability to communicate effectively with center staff, parents and management staff using verbal/nonverbal messages and reflective listening techniques
• General knowledge of local training and education opportunities
• General knowledge of volunteer sources and their availability
• Knowledge of “Local Share” and its importance to the program
• General knowledge of resources and referrals available in assigned communities
• General knowledge of child support enforcement laws in PA and of mandated reporting procedures involving child abuse

Required Education and Experience

Completion of a Bachelor’s Degree program at an accredited college or university with major coursework in Early Childhood Education;

. –OR-

An Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field

Previous experience working with infants and toddlers/family supports is preferred.

Commitment to complete the Parents as Teacher Training Program within one year of hire.

Valid Driver’s License and automobile insurance required.

Working Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

• Possible exposure to blood and bodily fluids or tissues;
• Possible exposure to communicable diseases;
• Tasks that involve handling implements or utensils, use of public or shared bathroom facilities or telephones.
• Job requires sitting for long period of time (during planning and reporting) and standing for long periods of time (during observations and training), as well as stooping, squatting, and running;
• Extensive travel locally and out-of-area to attend training events

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this Position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, talk, hear and use hands and fingers to operate and handle keyboards and office and/or classroom equipment. The employee is occasionally required to walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. There is occasional lifting and/or moving of up to 25 pounds.

Non-Discrimination Statement

ACE provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in every location in which the Agency has facilities. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.

The Agency will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as Amended (ADAAA).

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

ACE is a Drug Free Workplace.

Pay: $17.65 - $23.70 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• 403(b) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person