Early Head Start Home Visitor (CDA) Taos County

HOME VISITOR: Designs and implements, in conjunction with parents, a comprehensive and supportive program to develop parenting skills and family abilities for families with a pregnant woman and/or an infant or toddler. Position requires the ability to work well with people in a respectful and sensitive manner in the clients homes. A Home Visitor must often make decisions and act independently and must have good problem-solving skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Bilingual (English/Spanish, or other primary language of current Head Start Children.

Experience working with infants, toddlers, and their parents.

This is a professional position, which requires organizational, and communication skills, as well as judgment, tact and diplomacy in contacts with Head Start employees, community residents, parents and local government agencies. Strict adherence is required to all regulations concerning confidentiality

Good general health and ability to lift and carry 55 lbs. are essential. Background investigation to include fingerprint will be required. TB Skin Test and Physical may be required every five years.

Frequent travel is provided by employee and proof of satisfactory car insurance is required.

Youth Development, Inc. is an at-will employer. Employment is by mutual consent of the company and employee, and either may terminate the relationship at any time with or without cause or advance notice.

This job is contingent upon funding; however, availability of funding is not a guarantee of continued employment, nor does it imply any specific term of employment.

• Conducts weekly home visits with pregnant women and/or parents with infants and/or toddlers.
• Develops trusting and confidential relationship with each parent and family.
• Develops, in conjunction with the parent, plans to present educational material on pregnancy and fetal development, prenatal care, health and nutrition, childbirth and postpartum care. Helps mother access resources for appropriate care.
• Develops, in conjunction with the parent, plans to present educational material on care of infants and toddlers, and on methods of supporting and encouraging the childs growth, development and learning.Assists parent in learning how to do these things.
• Develops, in conjunction with the parent, plans to present educational material on health, nutrition, household management, and mental well being for all family members.Assists family in implementing ideas they want to use.
• Evaluates functioning/developmental level of child and parent in order to tailor educational program to specific needs and to make appropriate referrals for formal assessment.
• Teachers and assists parents to evaluate and assess their childs developmental level.
• Uses creativity in developing and implementing individualized lesson plans designed to meet the needs of each family and to include all family members interested in participating.
• Informs each family of parent workshops, field trips, parent meetings and special events taking place at the Center and assists family, if needed, in making arrangements to attend.Plans with each family ways to participate in socialization experiences.
• Implements the appropriate performance standards for home visiting.
• Does regular assessments to identify needs for community or clinical resources for mother, infant, and other family members.
• In consultation with Family Services Specialist, researches available community resources and assists families in accessing them by advocating for family with provider agency, scheduling appointments and accompanying family if necessary.
• Maintains contact and communication with community providers/agencies regarding client treatment plans and follow-up, ongoing parenting skills supervision, progress of parent and child, and continuing needs of family.This includes attendance at interagency staff meetings and written reports as equipped by referral sources.
• Provides crisis intervention when needed.
• Acts as support person and advocate for families.
• Documents and evaluates, inc. consultation with PCC Family Services Specialist and PCC Center Director, any concerns regarding substance abuse, or possible child neglect or abuse, and makes appropriate referrals.
• Continually searches out and develops resources to use in working with families.
• Maintains a current and confidential file for each family with all-pertinent information, documentation, referrals, etc.
• Submits all paperwork required to meet program goals.
• Participates in all training designed for center staff.
• Attends staff meetings and works as part of staff team.
• Preserves confidentiality of all information related clients.
• Other duties as assigned.