Parent Educator (Home Visitor)

Children’s Place Association; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Children’s Place Association seeks a dedicated Parent Educator (Home Visitor) in Chicago, IL. This full-time position involves providing weekly home visits, implementing educational activities, and supporting families enrolled in the Home Based Education program. Candidates should possess an Associate’s degree or CDA credential, have a minimum of 3 years of experience with young children, and be bilingual in English and Spanish. A commitment to diversity and creating a supportive environment is essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of experience working with young children and families.
• Experience with community-based early childhood programs preferred.
• Knowledge of Early Head Start performance standards preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide weekly home visits to families enrolled in the Home Based Education program.
• Implement learning games and Parents as Teachers curriculum.
• Facilitate active parental involvement during home visits.

Skills

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Communication skills

Ability to develop rapport

Education

Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field

Child Development Associate (CDA) credential

Illinois Gateways Early Childhood Education credential (Level 3 or higher)

Job description

Job Title: Parent Educator (Home Visitor)

Department: Early Childhood Education

FLSA Status:Exempt (Salary)

Employment Type: Full-time

Location: Chicago, IL 60647

Salary Range: $40,000 - $45,000

SUMMARY

The Parent Educator is responsible for providing weekly home visits to families enrolled in the Home Based Education program. The Parent Educator implements learning games and the Parents as Teachers curriculum and maintains confidential family files. He/She participates in the family socializations and activities, gives program information to clients and engages in weekly staff meetings.

The Parent Educator must uphold all program standards, including educational, nutritional, health, social service and parent involvement components. He/She must be flexible, have the ability to develop rapport with parents and work within the framework of the program’s goals and objectives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

…include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Schedules and conducts weekly home based personal visits with families enrolled in the Home Based Education program.
• Plans and implements developmentally appropriate home based activities; works jointly with parents to develop weekly activity plans based on each child’s assessment and identified family needs.
• Facilitates active parental involvement during home visits by presenting appropriate activities to the parent to present to the child.
• In collaboration with the parent, develops an individualized education plan for each child; reflects the cultural and ethnic backgrounds of all children in materials, equipment and learning experiences.
• Facilitates development of self control in children by using positive guidance techniques.
• Observes, assesses and documents each child’s health, skills, behavior, growth and development; enters required data into online systems.
• Assists in identifying children with special needs and makes referrals for services as needed.
• Integrates other family need components into home visits, including health, nutrition, mental health, parent involvement and special needs.
• Maintains a confidential family file for each family on his/her caseload.
• Collaborates with Family Support Specialist and Home Based Education Supervisor in case management screenings and staffings.
• Serves as an advocate for families enrolled in the program and as a liaison between families, the program and the larger community.
• Assists with recruitment and enrollment of new eligible families into the program.
• Participates in ongoing training and staff development provided by Early Head Start, Chicago Public Schools, Home Based Education Supervisor, Program Manager, other consultants, workshops and conferences.
• Assists in planning and implementation of group socializations and monthly parent meetings.
• Encourages parent participation in Early Head Start Parent Committee meetings, group socializations and other events or trainings.
• Assists parents and Family Support Specialist in coordinating transition plans for children transitioning to an early childhood program for ages 3-5.
• Participates in Children’s Place quality assurance initiatives as needed and appropriate to improve service quality and ensure compliance with licensing, accreditation and contractual standards.
• Performs other duties as necessary to meet new funding requirements or as assigned by the Program Manager.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

No supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

OTHER EXPECTATIONS

Employees shall respect the diversity of all individuals (e.g., clients, co-workers, stakeholders) and refrain from any form of discrimination and/or harassment based on religious, marital, ethnic, racial, gender, sexual orientation or other differences. Employees share the responsibility of creating and maintaining a welcoming and supportive work environment.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development or related field; Child Development Associate (CDA) credential for Home Visitor; or Illinois Gateways Early Childhood Education credential (Level 3 or higher) required. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Approved user status of Parents as Teachers Foundation 1 and Foundation 2, and completion of Pathway to Professional Development Plan for home-based staff required within 12 months of hire.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience working with young children and families required. Experience working with community based early childhood programs preferred.
• Experience working with persons living with chronic illness and families living in poverty preferred.
• Knowledge of Early Head Start performance standards preferred.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) written and verbal communication skills preferred.

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 job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, physical requirements may include standing, walking, sitting, crouching, kneeling and crawling; seeing; hearing and listening; clear speech; touching, including dexterity and use of hands and fingers; lifting and carrying children up to 35 pounds; driving.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment described here is representative of that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and is sometimes loud. The work environment may include any or all of the following: working alone; working with others; verbal contact with others and face-to-face contact; working inside; working outside; working in extreme hot or cold temperatures; moving objects.

DISCLAIMER

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of all employees so classified.