Parent Educator (Home Visitor)

Job 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.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• 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.
• Aids in identifying children with special needs and makes referrals for services as needed.
• 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.
• Aids in 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.
• Aids 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.
• Aids 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.

Qualifications

• 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

• 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

• 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.

Pay Range

$40,000 - $45,000 per year