Early Childhood Specialist

In accordance with Early Head Start Performance Standards, work as a member of an interdisciplinary team to provide developmental expertise in infant/toddler development. Promotes family engagement to support the implementation of the family partnership process, including referral to CAA programs and other community programs to help them obtain needed services and meet established goals. Maintain a caseload, making weekly home visits to eligible families with the purpose of working intensely with infants, toddlers, and their families to facilitate school readiness through a focus on child development and bonding between parent(s) and infant/toddler. Responsible for recruitment to maintain full enrollment for Early Head Start.

1. Know and function in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards and other program guidelines. Awareness of philosophy and goals of the program to help parents become active advocates for their children.
2. Follow all Agency policies, including Universal Precaution procedures and confidentiality policy. Follow applicable policies and procedures regarding recipient rights, confidentiality, and disclosure of privileged information.
3. Responsible for maintaining a caseload of families, providing case management and support services utilizing the Infant Mental Health model and approved Early Head Start curriculum. Provide weekly home visits to families, being aware of the requirement to meet in the home including varying home conditions.
4. Using observation, assessment skills, and knowledge of infant/toddler development and infant mental health strategies, specialist will assess needs in families whose infants are at risk for atypical development, psychosocial or emotional disorders.
5. Develop goal plans to prepare infants/toddlers for pre-school readiness integrating infant-parent psychotherapy, supportive counseling, developmental guidance, concrete services to families, and advocacy as needed by infants and parents.
6. Demonstrate ability to establish a trusting relationship with parents of varying economic, cultural, and developmental situations. Communicate effectively with and on behalf of parents and young children.
7. Maintain accurate and timely records by documenting all family contacts and contacts on behalf of families in data management system. This would include referrals to community agencies or health care professionals.
8. Participate in EHS staff meetings, reflective consultations, and supervisions. Collaborate with other education and health professionals in the delivery and evaluation of services.
9. Complete all required components of family services including family partnership process, family assessment, goal setting, and crisis support and referrals.
10. Responsible for ongoing recruitment and working collaboratively with community partners to identify and serve eligible children and families, including attendance at community meetings and events.
11. Responsible for coordinating team meetings to ensure families are supported in a holistic manner between inter-agency programs and community partners.
12. Collaborate with community agencies to support child, family, and agency outcomes. Ability to familiarize parents with available resources in the areas served by reviewing the Community Resource Directory and explaining 211. Make referrals for families to CAA and other agencies and follow up on referrals within 30 days, to ensure that services are accessed.
13. Responsible for maintaining current and accurate records, reporting, and data entry as required by the program, while maintaining confidentiality. Complete data entry of information into databases as required in the areas of family service and Early Head Start.
14. Help organize, plan, recruit for and implement parent training activities, workshops, events, and support groups as determined. Ensure attendance of parents at meetings and training and serve as a mentor for parent representatives on Policy Council.
15. Facilitate and implement twice monthly socialization opportunities for enrolled children and other socialization experiences as required.
16. Assist with transition of enrolled students into various program options or out of agency programming as needed.

Other Hiring Contingencies: Must be able to pass all required background checks. Show proof of a physical exam signed by a licensed physician that declares, to the best of the physician's knowledge, the physical capability of the staff member to perform the essential duties required or obtain a physical through CAA's provider. A negative TB test within the last 12 months or before starting position.

Supervisor: Early Head Start Manager
Supervises: None
Training: All staff will participate in professional development training and ongoing CAA trainings as deemed appropriate by their supervisor.

Note: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. It is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. Employee may perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

1. Education: Bachelor's degree in social work or related human service field, required. Master's Degree in field preferred.
2. Work Experience: Two (2) years' experience in a related field, preferred. Demonstrated knowledge of typical and atypical infant/toddler development and family dynamics preferred. Any equivalent combination of education and work experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities for the position may be considered at the discretion of the CEO.
3. Training: Infant Mental Health training preferred.
4. Certification/Licenses: Active state licensing in designated field preferred. Endorsement in Infant Mental Health Level II preferred.
5. Transportation: Valid Michigan Driver's License. Reliable transportation to complete home visits throughout the workday.
6. Basic Skills: Excellent verbal and written skills with an ability to accurately complete and document case notes/lesson plans and other reports in a timely fashion. Ability to communicate complex ideas and advocacy for children/families with other providers. A demonstrated ability to set and keep appointments and to work independently.
7. Problem Solving, Decision Making and Interpersonal Skills: High level of independent problem-solving and decision-making skills. Excellent interpersonal skills demonstrating tact, courtesy, and empathy. Must be able to utilize independent judgment to complete routine tasks. Establish and maintain positive relationships with people of all economic levels, cultures, and capabilities. Able to prioritize and make quick decisions in a rapid paced environment. Must be flexible in attitude. Promote teamwork. Participate as a team member with other Agency staff and as part of interagency teams. Maintain absolute confidentiality in all sensitive matters using tact and diplomacy to assist staff and clients, including when working with families in crisis.
8. Physical and Mental Capacities: Must be able to visit clients in their homes (including non-handicapped accessible) with possible exposure to environmental hazards. Must be able to work in a home office or agency office setting effectively. Must be conscientious and alert in a busy and often hectic atmosphere with the ability to handle numerous tasks at once. Ability to lift to 50 lbs. occasionally.