Bilingual Parent Child Educator-Catholic Charities Diocese of Joliet

General Responsibilities:

1. Under the Administration and Coordination of the Early Childhood Service Manager the Early Head Start Parent Child Educator will provide the physical, cognitive, social and emotional growth and development of infants and toddlers in the home based setting and during center-based socialization experiences.
2. Assist program in working with children and families who are Dual Language Learners. This includes but is not limited to, translating documents, participating in home visits, Parent Teacher Conferences, intake meetings, translating at parent meeting, conducting screenings and assessments in child’s home language. 
3. The Early Head Start Parent Child Educator will work with parents and families to develop, plan, model and implement positive early childhood experiences in the home and center based setting.
4. Ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) developmentally appropriate practice for infants and toddlers.
5. Periodic weekend recruitment activities are required along with attendance at parent meetings and family activity events.
6. It is the expectation that programmatic recruitment takes place throughout the community as specified and designated during the week and some weekends.
7. Other duties as assigned within the guidelines of this position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. To recruit, establish and maintain a caseload of 12 infants and toddlers and maintain all required documentation to support that comprehensive services are provided to these families according to applicable Head Start Performance Standards and Early Head Start Home Based Services in Early Head Start documents.
2. Regularly communicate with families and staff to organize and plan effectively a minimum of 46 home visits of 90 minute duration per year and 24 socialization opportunities per year; the length of the socialization based upon the developmental level of the child, the content of the experience and the families need.
3. Plan and develop, with the parents, an individualized program for the family, which includes establishment of a caring positive professional relationship in a climate of mutual trust and respect for the culture and diversity of each family.
4. Work with parents to strengthen their knowledge of child development; help parents to understand how children learn and grow during the critical early years from birth through three; plan and conduct child education activities to meet the child’s language, cognitive, physical, social and emotional needs.
5. Model and teach parenting skills and provide information about health and nutrition, including integrating health and nutrition education into the home environment with respect for the diverse culture of the families, coordinating with other staff and the parents regarding health screenings for their children or other family members, and providing appropriate information and referrals, when needed.
6. Educate parents about community resources and provide support to families in setting goals and objectives that they have developed through the Family Partnership Agreement and Goal Setting process.
7. Coordinate services with families and other community agencies and follow-up to obtain the families assessment of the services they received.
8. Maintain an open, friendly and cooperative relationship with each family; encouraging their involvement in the program; promoting parent and child bonding and interaction and a nurturing parent child relationship that respects the parent as the child’s first teacher.
9. Promote feelings of security and trust in infants by establishing warm and caring relationships with children through care giving routines (feeding, diapering or toileting, play) with their primary caregivers.
10. Provide infants and toddlers with opportunities and experiences that allow them to develop curiosity initiate problem solving skills, and creativity while supporting the parents ability to facilitate a rich learning experience in the home that enhances the pleasure that both the parent and the child take in the relationship that they are building.
11. Schedule, support, and follow through with the developmental screening of infants and toddlers motor, language, social and emotional, cognitive, sensory and perceptual skills.
12. Coordinate, participate and assist in the implementation of the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) and with the Early Intervention program for children 0-3 with disabilities.
13. Develop an individual transition plan with each family, other program staff and any pertinent community agencies soon after enrollment and assess and update as needed during the families involvement in Early Head Start (EHS).
14. Attend and participate in staff meetings and related activities; attend workshops, conferences and trainings; enroll and complete academic coursework to increase professional knowledge of the needs of children from birth through five; increase professional knowledge of how to work with adult learners; serve on committees as assigned.
15. Adhere to safe work practices and all agency policies and procedures, including State and Federal regulations at all times.
16. Schedule and complete weekly home visits with all families on the assigned caseload and arrange for make-up home visit opportunities for participants who miss their appointment.  Parent Child Educators must make-up all home visits that they cancel with the parents.
17. Conduct weekly home visits prepared with a parent education and child development focused lesson plan.
18. Establish and maintain all resources and materials prepared to support the weekly home visits and twice monthly socialization opportunities.
19. Maintain required documentation, in preparation for and following each home visit and/or socialization experience.
20. Prepare and maintain learning environments during the home visit and socialization experiences in the center to meet the needs of the individual child in their care.
21. Screen and assess the developmental, sensory and behavioral needs of the infant and toddler within the required time frame; establish learning goals and prepare weekly lesson plans with the parent.
22. Provide, transport and serve a nutritious snack for each child, parent and sibling present at the time of the home visit and socialization opportunity.
23. Assist in transporting children and parents to necessary programs functions if indicated.
24. Follow all health and safety procedures outlined in the EHS Performance Standards and by applicable Child Care Licensing guidelines.
25. Maintain confidentiality of all information and records pertaining to the children and their families.
26. Assist with the transition of children into and out of the Early Head Start program, and within the program as indicated.
27. Parent Child Educators will follow the parents’ lead in establishing goals for their infants and toddlers and support parents as they engage in sensitive responsive interactions.
28. Parent Child Educators will support the parents understanding that everyday routines provide the context for learning and development.
29. Carry out curriculum plan by providing individualized developmentally appropriate activities for each child through observing, assessing and documenting the progress of the child on a regular basis.
30. Provide information to parents on how to observe their infant based on temperament, learning style, and individual interest.
31. Support parents through new routines, lifestyle changes that the baby brings into a home, and to understand the impact on the child’s siblings.
32. Utilize a repertoire of parent education materials that are reflective of the range of the adult learning styles of the parents, and that take into account language, education, and cultural differences.
33. Socialization experiences are linked to support the goals established during the home visits and reflect specific goals and objectives included in the Family Partnership Plan.
34. Inform parents of all pertinent program information and activities.
35.  Encourage parent participation in parent governance, parent meetings and workshops.
36. Recruit and submit six applications per month.
37. Must be willing to obtain and maintain certification and training in First Aid, Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and Infant/Toddler Development.
38. Other duties as assigned within the guidelines of this position.

GREAT EMPLOYER PROVIDED BENEFITS INCLUDE:  

• Work/Life Balance Time-off: 12 Holidays - 15 Days’ Vacation -12 Personal Days
• Medical/Dental/Vision Health Insurances
• Flexible Spending Account
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance
• 403B Retirement Plan with employer contributions
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 
• Short-term Disability Insurance

Requirements

1. Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree preferred in Early Childhood Education or a related field.  All degrees must be from a regionally accredited educational institution which has U.S. Department of Education approval.
2. Passage of complete background clearance, physical and Tuberculosis (TB) Test.
3. Documentation of 36 semester hours of early childhood coursework including infant and toddler courses.
4. Have at least two years of experience working in an Early Childhood setting or working directly with low-income families.
5. Understanding and commitment to the social teachings of Catholic Charities.
6. Excellent written and oral communication.
7. Bilingual required.
8. Competency in use of a computer including Microsoft Office applications, and office technology skills.
9. A valid driver’s license, reliable means of transportation and proof of liability insurance is required.

Send resume to virizarry02@iwe.staugustine.edu

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