- Position Type: Student Support Services/ Early Childhood
- Date Posted: 4/23/2025
- Location: Ellis School
- Date Available: 08/01/2025
- Closing Date: 05/07/2025
- District: Harmony District 175
Baby TALK Job Description Family Support Specialist/Home Visitor/Infant Toddler
Baby TALK’S mission is to positively impact child development and nurture healthy parent-child relationships during the critical early learning years.
Goal of Program: Home Visiting
- To support the child’s development through strengthening the parent-child relationships
- To establish and deepen working relationships with families
- To facilitate the parents to set goals for themselves and their children
- To support families’ mastery in their growth and development
Job Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree preferably in education, social services or a related field
- Ability to establish a nurturing relationship with parents of all backgrounds and ages
- Experience working with parents and children under 3 years of age
- Ability to work closely and in collaboration with other professionals
- Ability to work a flexible schedule
- Reliable vehicle to travel within the community
- Willingness to travel in-state to conferences or trainings related to this position
- Mastery of basic computer skills
- Maintain confidentiality of all information concerning families
Preparation
- Have a working knowledge of the Baby TALK curriculum and resources available to offer families in support of the development of the child and the families’ wellbeing
- Use the Baby TALK Protocols in preparing for personal encounters
- Have a working knowledge of resources available in our community to assist families (housing, public aid, health services, childcare services, legal services, etc.)
- Prepare materials and handouts for each personal encounter
- Sanitize and maintain toys and equipment
- Request supplies as needed for the program in accordance with the budget
Direct Contact with Families
- Use the Baby TALK model, follow the Encounter Protocols, use the Baby TALK curriculum and critical concepts in supporting families
- Support families with the implementation of Touchpoints principles
- Schedule home visits/personal encounters with families
- Home visits/personal encounters typically will occur twice a month unless special circumstances are determined with the supervisor
- Complete the enrollment packet on each family according to the set timeline
- Complete and turn in documentation to enroll the child in the ISBE SIS system according to the set timeline. Use the Baby TALK curriculum, specifically the Home Visiting curriculum in conjunction with the specific needs of the family on home visits/personal encounters. Maintain the appropriate caseload number
- Schedule, plan and implement regular group parent-child interaction encounters
Documentation
- Maintain up-to-date documentation on babyTECH to include demographics, check-ins, encounters, screening, assessment, goals and observations of children and parents
- Maintain enrollment and exit data to support ISBE SIS
Collaboration
- Collaborate with local agencies that benefit young families
- Participate in community agency meetings and committees
- Make appropriate referrals to Baby TALK staff or community agencies
- Ability to substitute for other Baby TALK staff members
Professional Development
- Attend Baby TALK Professional Development Training and Touchpoints Trainings
- Attend all Baby TALK staff meetings
- Fully participate in regularly scheduled reflective practice sessions
- Regularly participate in workshops and seminars to become ever better
- Maintain any professional certifications
- Participate in semiannual goal setting
Funding Streams
Illinois State Board of Education, Prevention Initiative. As a professional Baby TALK staff member, understand that there may be other duties as assigned by Leadership staff as we are all committed to the mission of Baby TALK.
Salary
$45,229
Contact
Interested candidates may also send copies of a cover letter, current resume, and reference letters to:
Ms. Robin Dermody
rdermody@harmony175.org
250 Illini Drive
Belleville, IL 62223