Child Development Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Summary:

The Child Development Specialist (CDS) provides developmental support services within the Hoʻowaiwai Kaiāulu Project, across both the Kapili Ke Kahua Home Visiting program and Pili Pa‘a Ka ʻOhana parent-child interaction groups/group connections. The CDS supports optimal child development, positive parenting, and family resilience through culturally responsive, trauma-informed practices. This role collaborates closely with Parent Educators and ‘Ohana Group Facilitators, and serves as an alternate provider for home visits and group facilitation when needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities :

1. Support home visiting services by conducting developmental screenings, including the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) and Ages and Stages Questionnaire: Social-Emotional (ASQ), and assisting with appropriate follow-up, referrals, and care coordination.
2. Review referrals and child/family developmental needs, with attention to children and families who may be at increased risk due to prenatal substance exposure, mental health concerns, attachment concerns, developmental delays, or other family stressors.
3. Provide individualized consultation to Parent Educators (PEs) and families to support children’s developmental progress, strengthen parent-child interaction, and promote responsive caregiving.
4. Conduct joint home visits with Parent Educators as needed to support assessment, developmental guidance, family engagement, care coordination, and staff mentoring.
5. Offer consultation, mentoring, and technical assistance to staff on child development, developmental screening results, developmental strategies, and family-centered support during staff meetings, case consultation, and reflective supervision.
6. Support the implementation of family-strengthening strategies aligned with the Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework.
7. Demonstrate working knowledge of infant and early childhood health, including growth and development, common childhood health concerns, preventive care, family education, and routine pediatric health expectations.
8. Maintain working knowledge of recommended well-child visit timelines, including newborn, infant, toddler, and preschool-age checkups, and support families in understanding when routine pediatric visits are due.
9. Maintain basic knowledge of childhood immunization schedules and assist families with understanding age-appropriate vaccines, missed or delayed immunizations, and the importance of follow-up with their child’s medical provider.
10. Review child health information, including immunization status, well-child exam completion, health screenings, developmental screening results, and parent-reported concerns to help identify needs for follow-up, referral, or care coordination.
11. Provide guidance and support to Parent Educators and families regarding routine pediatric health expectations, while encouraging families to consult with their child’s medical provider for medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, and immunization decisions.
12. Provide coverage for absent Parent Educators, Group Facilitators, or other program staff as assigned.
13. Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with community partners to support referrals, family needs, service coordination, and access to appropriate resources.
14. Track and document all services provided using approved data systems and contribute to monthly, quarterly, and other required program reports.
15. Participate in program Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) processes, staff meetings, case consultation, reflective supervision, and required training.
16. Perform other duties as assigned to support program goals, contract requirements, and family needs.

Qualifications:

 

Education and Experience:

· Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Human Services, Social Work, Nursing, or a related field is required.

· Master’s degree in Early Childhood or related field preferred

· Minimum of four (4) years’ experience in early childhood development, early intervention, or child maltreatment prevention/intervention required.

· At least two (2) years in a supervisory, consultative, or program support role preferred.

· Experience with culturally responsive, trauma-informed family services strongly desired.

· Familiarity with ASQ/ASQ-SE and family-centered developmental practices preferred.

* As part of the hiring process, all candidates are required to complete a TestGorilla assessment. A computer is necessary to complete this assessment. If candidates do not have access to a computer, MFSS will provide a computer and a testing space to ensure accessibility. MFSS is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to comply with the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) guidelines.