EHS Family Educator, Caribou & Bear Lake Counties, ID

KEY FUNCTION:

Under the direction of the Home Based Specialist, the EHS Family Educator is responsible for providing Early Head Start services to enrolled children, primarily through home visits and group socializations. They provide services through intensive work with the child’s parents as the primary teachers in the growth and development of the child. The Family Educator will integrate all EHS components and carry out the objectives and philosophy of Early Head Start while working closely with staff, families and community, and in following federal regulations and program objectives.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Serve 10-12 families.
• Teach parents developmentally appropriate infant and toddler practices.
• Works with families and children on a scheduled one-to-one weekly basis in their homes for at least 90 minutes minimum at times that best work for the family.
• Maintains confidentiality of family records and information.
• Encourages and promotes the family’s achievement of self-sufficiency.
• Is accompanied by the Home Based Specialist on home visits as well as resource staff, as needed.
• Participates in all appropriate training and meetings.
• Able to meet federal regulations and performance standards, including proper written documentation.
• Work with parents to develop weekly home visit and weekly activity plans based on each child’s assessment and identified family needs.
• Coordinate with parents to individualize child school readiness goals, implementing IFSP where applicable. Fully integrate children with disabilities into all Home Based activities.
• Explains the importance of and encourages parents to attend group socializations.
• Support male involvement in home visits and socializations, individualizing needs of the father/male role model.
• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate group socializations, coordinating with other program options and family development meetings as determined. Preparation for groups includes lesson plan development and evaluation, gathering supplies and toys, coordinating with school cafeterias for meals or snacks and/or food shopping, preparation and cleanup.
• Be able to store supplies and use home as the base for work.
• Participates in ongoing recruitment for the agency.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assists parents in developing and fostering healthy self-concepts for themselves and, having begun this effort, will begin assisting parents in becoming the primary teacher.
• Fosters the belief in parents that they are the child’s first teacher and reinforces this concept with practical suggestions for its development.
• Encourages families to keep an ongoing file appropriate for infant and toddler practices, activities, and child portfolio samples.

SOCIAL SERVICE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Works closely with the Family Advocates and the Home Based Specialist to support the families in their social service needs and making referrals to appropriate resources.
• Assist parents in setting health appointments.

EDUCATION RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assists parents in developing ways of using household resources in educational activities with their infants and toddlers.
• Provides ongoing assessment of the enrolled child, encourages parents to follow through with focused play activity throughout the week.
• Informs parents about early childhood learning for school readiness.
• Provides nutritional experiences on a regular basis.
• Provides individualized prenatal education to pregnant women.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• BS Degree in Early Childhood Education, FCHD, or other related field preferred. Minimum AA in Early Childhood Development or Homebased CDA required.
• Previous experience providing services to low income families.
• Demonstrate excellent skills in communication, documentation, writing lesson plans, and maintaining confidentiality. Flexibility, assertiveness, people skills, and reliability.
• Knowledge and experience in zero to three child development, child health, safety, and nutrition; adult learning and family dynamics.
• Bilingual Spanish/English preferred. In some service areas, Bilingual English/Spanish speaking is required.
• Must provide own reliable transportation.
• Valid driver’s license and verification of car insurance.
• Be able to obtain CPR and First Aid certification and Food Handler’s permit, pass TB test, and be free of communicable diseases.
• Willing to work variable hours.
• Must have good physical stamina and be able to participate in activities on the floor with children and parents.
• Able to pass a background check.