JOB SUMMARY:

Provide services for infants, toddlers and their families enrolled in the Early Head Start home based program. Plan and carry out weekly home visits with families and provide parent education and referrals to needed services.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Supervision from the Early Head Start Center Director.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

No supervision exercised.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The candidate will have a degree in Child & Family Studies, Human Development, Social Work, or related field with Early Childhood Education coursework and Infant/Toddler experience preferred; Prior experience in case work, community organizations, and working with small groups; Understanding of principles of child health, safety and nutrition, adult learning principles and family dynamics; Ability to communicate and motivate adults; Ability to be flexible with time for evening home visits, meetings, and possible weekend parent activities. Must have valid New Hampshire drivers license, carry adequate automobile insurance and be able to provide proof of insurance.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

In the SNHS, Inc. Child Development Program, a home visitor should expect to:
1. Kneel to address children at eye level.
2. Demonstrate motor activities that may include running, hopping, jumping, dancing, and full body motions.
3. Be able to run after a child in peril.
4. Lift children in emergency situations.
5. Nurture children who may need consoling in the case of challenging behavior.
6. Get on the ground with children in case of fire and help them crawl to safety.
7. Sometimes get kicked and hit during exuberant play.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Support the mission and philosophy of the Early Head Start program. Work in partnership with families without judgment or bias, recognizing and respecting individual differences and backgrounds.

2. Demonstrate the highest standards of personnel integrity, truthfulness, honesty, and fortitude in all our Community Action activities in order to inspire confidence and trust in the Community Action movement.

3. Build positive and strength based partnerships with parents, within professional boundaries, coaching families in the process of identifying family development goals. Support families in creating and implementing family plans.

4. Relate professionally and tactfully with all parents and staff. Maintain good interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work as part of a team.

5. Maintain professional boundaries with all current, past, and prospective clients, and maintain the confidentiality of clients and staff, in accordance with SNHS policy and procedure.

6. Responsible for having adequate knowledge of all SNHS programs and will gather sufficient
intake information to make referrals to other SNHS programs which are beneficial to the client and his/her family. Refer families to available community services and programs and follow up as necessary.

7. Conduct weekly, 90 minute home visits with each assigned family and complete appropriate documentation.

8. Act as a family coach, enhancing the role of the family in planning, presenting, and evaluating each home visit and socialization.

9. Plan and carry out group socializations at least two times per month.

10. Provide parent education such as health & safety, nutrition, mental health, disabilities, parenting, and budgeting. Maintain communication with families regarding children’s screening and assessment results; provide support for recommended follow-up. Document services provided.

11. Utilize PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) as outlined in the Behavior
Management Policy in working with children and in support of individual and group parenting goals, through PBIS materials such as PBIS Parent Guide and CSEFEL Pre-K Parenting Modules (Positive Solutions for Families)

12. Recruitment of families for all program options throughout the program year by:

• Creating a community recruitment plan with the support of the ERSEA Coordinator and other Head Start family service staff
• Involving all enrolled families in recruitment planning and community outreach activities working in collaboration with Parent Committee members
• Attending community events and school registration days as assigned
• Distributing informational materials in the community by hanging flyers and door knockers, distributing brochures and family postcards at area businesses, agencies and in local neighbor-hoods.
• Individualized activities such as open houses, resource fairs, community support activities designed to promote community collaboration and a strong Head Start community presence.

13. Act as a liaison and advocate between the community and the Child Development program
by initiating and maintaining strong community partnerships. Keep current with local community resources and keep updated resource lists and materials. Attend appropriate community meetings as assigned.

14. Report all cases of suspected child abuse and/or neglect to the Division of Children, Youth, and Families following agency guidelines. Document cases in the family file and advise center director. Forward appropriate documentation to the Family Services Manager.

15. Maintain organization of family file. Keep family records up to date in accordance with SNHS, Inc. Child Development procedures. Responsible for data entry and  tracking of health, nutrition, and assessment data utilizing COPA (Child Outcomes Planning and Assessment); compile data for the Program Information Report (PIR).

16. Keep thorough and objective case note documentation reflecting all family contacts, referrals, attempts to schedule and reschedule meetings, follow up to health, nutrition or developmental concerns, required screenings and processes to determine health status.

17. Implement the health content to ensure that every enrolled child is up to date in their schedule of well child care according to NH EPSDT including all necessary follow up.

18. Collect and track documentation on health and nutrition conditions necessary for children’s
safe participation in the program; sharing information as outlined in program policies and procedures.

19. Act as liaison between families and program specialists, to support individualized service
needs for children and families including referrals for mental health, nutrition, disabilities and
health.

20. In conjunction with family engagement specialist, family service staff will promote family
engagement in all areas. Provide family support and transportation to Policy Council functions as needed. Assist with volunteer training and recruitment; and other parent activities. Responsible for gathering in-kind documentation. Fully implement all family engagement initiatives and support all activities/opportunities provided by the program with parents.

21. Participate in producing and distributing a monthly newsletter for families. Assist in maintaining an up to date resource guide for family’s use.

22. Attend pre-service and in-service training, as well as other appropriate training sessions. To
work with supervisory staff to develop professional development plans which focus on increasing professional skills and expanding professional knowledge base. To explore outside training opportunities to meet those plans.

23. Present professional and positive image as a representative of SNHS.

24. Abide by all SNHS Safety policies and procedures.

25. Other duties as assigned.

Southern New Hampshire Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer