Early Head Start Home Base Visitor

Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency; City of Utica (NY); On-site; USD 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency is seeking an Early Head Start Home Visitor to support pregnant families and children up to age 3. You will conduct weekly home visits (90 minutes) and bi-weekly group socializations, focusing on strength-based, culturally sensitive education and resource linkage.

The role includes enrollment assistance, confidential record-keeping, and coordinating services across three counties. Travel is required; a CDA or related degree is preferred.

Qualifications

• Two-year degree in Early Childhood Education or Human Services or related field; or Home-based CDA as part of associate/bachelor degree.
• One year experience with infants & toddlers preferred.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Able to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Willing to travel across 3 counties; reliable transportation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain supportive, strength-based relationships with families through weekly home visits and bi-weekly group socializations.
• Determine eligibility and/or enrollment for participation in the program and maintain confidential files.
• Conduct 90-minute home visits and coordinate two group socializations monthly; ensure safety and compliance.
• Complete screenings and support transition planning for program options as needed.

Skills

Written and oral communication

Minimum supervision

Cultural sensitivity

Education

Two-year degree in ECE or Human Services

Home-based CDA or CDA coursework

Tools

Microsoft Office

Internet

Email

Database entry

Zoom

Job description

Basic Function

The Home Visitor develops and maintains supportive strength based, culturally sensitive relationships with children and families by providing education and support through weekly home visits and bi-weekly group socializations. The Home Visitor works in partnership with enrolled families toward the goal of achieving the child and family’s maximum potential by learning to recognize strengths, obstacles, finding resources, solving problems, and ultimately achieving long-term self-sufficiency. The role of the home visitor is to empower the families to become the best teachers and role models for their children. Establish positive, trustworthy, and supportive relationships with children and families. Determine eligibility and/or complete application process for enrollment. Maintains accurate and confidential files for each child and family. Partner with a caseload of families for weekly, 90-minute home visits. Empower families to be their child’s primary educator and use their home as the child’s primary learning environment. For EHS a minimum of 46 Home Visits per year. Home visits to pregnant women will be individualized based on needs, trimester, pregnancy risk factors, routine doctor relationship, etc. Prenatal visits focus on family well-being, having a healthy pregnancy, preparing for birth and educating families to be ready for baby’s arrival. Utilize a strength-based approach with all families to assist them in realizing their potential and increasing their self-sufficiency. Link families to appropriate services and support families with the process to help remove barriers. Facilitate 2 group socializations each month focusing on activities for the entire family, with the intent of emphasizing group peer interaction through age-appropriate activities in a classroom, community facility, a field trip, etc. For EHS 22 socializations. Ensuring locations are safe and in compliance with all appropriate regulations. Assist families with building or maintaining stable health and dental providers and encouraging routine health care and/or prenatal care. Regularly assess needs, resources, and trends within the community they serve. Individualize curriculum and home visits for each child in partnership with the family, including integrating Individual Family Service Plans (IFSPs) for children with disabilities as appropriate. Complete developmental, behavioral and health screenings on all children within 45 days of the child’s entrance into the program, utilizing results for individualized planning and referrals as needed. Complete transition planning with families for movements across program options and into—and out of—Early Head Start and Head Start programs. Understand, generate and document in-kind and other allowable costs toward the non-federal share requirement. Demonstrate commitment to mission, values, and policies. Attend meetings and trainings as appropriate. Perform other duties as assigned to ensure the successful execution of the program.

Qualifications

Early Head Start Home Visitor (expectant families and children up to the age of 3) is a Two (2) year degree in Early Childhood Education or Human Services or related field, plus one (1) year experience with infants & toddlers preferred, or Home-based CDA or equivalent coursework of a CDA as part of an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Effective written and oral communication skills. Adhere to agency personnel policies and procedures. Ability to work and respect families in poverty, diverse cultures, or varied backgrounds. Must be physically able to perform the duties of the job and lift up to 50 lbs. Microsoft Office applications, internet, email, database entry, Zoom experience preferred. Willing and able to travel throughout 3 counties; have reliable transportation. Knowledge of local community, state, and federal referral sources. Ability to work with minimum supervision and keep detailed accountability. Background check, fingerprint clearance, physical exam, and TB.