Child Advocate

Tri--valley-Opportunity-Council; Crookston (MN); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Tri-valley Opportunity Council is seeking a Child Advocate to work one-on-one with a child who has special needs in the classroom setting. The role promotes individual development and ensures opportunities meet the child’s needs, while explaining program services to families.

The advocate collaborates with Education Disability Services and attends parent conferences and home visits as requested to support families and educators.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old or have a high school diploma or GED, and be turning 18 by August.
• Excellent communication skills, verbal and in writing.
• Must enjoy and respect young children and their families.
• Experience working with infants, toddlers or preschoolers.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe, clean care environment and assure children’s safety.
• Promote development and ensure opportunities meet individual needs.
• Maintain open, cooperative relationships with children and families.
• Attend parent conferences and home visits as requested.

Skills

Communication skills

Early childhood experience

Respect for families

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

SUMMARY OF PRIMARY FUNCTION

The Child Advocate responsibilities include working one on one with a child who has a special need(s) in the classroom environment. The Child Advocate will promote the development of the individual child within the classroom environment and assure the opportunities for the child meet their individual needs. 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

Safety & Sanitation

1. Assists in maintaining a safe, clean, care-giving environment, practices good personal hygiene and hand washing, and assures the well-being and safety of all of the children in that environment.
2. Utilizes disciplinary measures appropriately as outlined in the Behavior Guidance Policies and Procedures.
3. Protects all children from physical punishment or verbal abuse by anyone in any program activity, and immediately reports any such incident to the person in charge.
4. Provides for the physical safety of each child from arrival time until departure time.
5. Assists in providing a healthy and safe classroom and playground environments throughout the day.
6. Assures that safety and sanitation policies and procedures are followed appropriately.
7. Assures that children are dressed appropriately for the weather and type of play in which they are engaged.
8. Assures that children are always supervised.
9. Administers First Aid and/or CPR (if trained) when necessary.
10. Have or obtain within 90 days of hire a First Aid and CPR Certification as well as maintain the certification during employment.

Meets Individual Needs of Children with Special Need(s)

1. In coordination with the Education Disability Services team and/or other multi-disciplinary teams, determines the individual needs of the child.
2. Collects and tracks data and assists the teacher with other assessment activities to determine the developmental level of individual children, as requested.
3. Assists in the planning and conducts activities with the child that creates an individualized environment and varied range of opportunities to explore and experience, which meet the individual needs of the child (i.e. developing social and communication skills, self-esteem, creativity, self-reliance, etc.)

Communication

1. Maintains an open, friendly, and cooperative relationship with each child and family.
2. Greets children and their parents warmly and with enthusiasm.
3. Maintains a cooperative attitude of working together with other staff, parents, and volunteers in planning and implementing activities for the program/classroom.
4. Maintains a positive, calm attitude and a pleasant, soothing voice and models this attitude and voice for parents and others working and volunteering in the program.

Parent Contact and Involvement

1. Assists in conducting parent conferences and home visits as requested.
2. Assist in providing ongoing contact with families via telephone calls, notes or visits, and documents contact under the direction of the teacher.
3. Attends IFSP/IEP meetings as requested.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

1. Must be at least 18 years of age; or have a high school diploma or GED, and be turning 18 by the end of August of the current year.
2. Excellent communication skills, verbal and in writing.
3. Must enjoy and respect young children and their families.
4. Experience working with infants, toddlers or preschoolers.