Early Head Start Home Base Teacher

Job Title: Early Head Start Home Base Teacher
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Period of Employment:  12 months
Hours:  40 hours per week                                                                                                  
Program/Department: Early Head Start, Napa County and Solano County
Supervisor: Home Base Supervisor
Supervises: None
Compensation: $15.46 per hour,   Represented by SEIU Local 1021

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Responsible for the development and implementation of individualized programs for infant/toddlers and their families, in the context of the family’s culture and with maximum participation of the parents, as the primary teachers of their children.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITITES:

  1. In conjunction with parents, through home visits and phone, assesses the strengths and needs of the family and develops an individualized program accordingly, that fully meets the Performance Standards and other regulations pertinent to the Home Based option.  Individualized programs are linguistically and culturally appropriate, and integrate health/nutrition, physical/cognitive development, social/emotional development, speech/language development, prenatal care and infant mental health.
  2. Implements learning curriculum, promotes healthy parent-child relationships, and reinforces parents as the primary teacher of their child through regular home visits.
  3. Provides child/family social and learning opportunities through: lesson planning, classroom set-up and clean-up, meal and snack planning, promotion of attendance and parent involvement, and completion of documentation.
  4. Supports implementation of case management action plans for pregnant women, infants/toddlers, and the family by working in team collaboration with program partners, early intervention agencies and other community partners, as appropriate.
  5. Assists with recruitment and intake of families for waiting list.  Informs Home Base Supervisor of families who no longer participate. 
  6. Provides parents with information on fetal and infant/toddler development, best practices during pregnancy, breastfeeding, maternal depression, SIDS prevention practices, infant/toddler car seats and seat belt safety, home safety measures, anticipatory parenting guidance, nutrition, and other relevant subjects. 
  7. Promotes family self-sufficiency by linking parents with community resources, coaching on self-help, problem resolution, and advocacy.  Ensures ongoing medical coverage by connecting families with appropriate health providers.
  8. Develops Family Partnership Agreements through assessment of strengths, needs, and interests.  Assists parents with the accomplishment of personal goals they have identified for themselves, as well as goals developed in interagency case management, court mandated situations, at IFSP meetings and on other occasions.
  9. Works collaboratively with parents to ensure their infants/toddlers remain on a schedule of well child/dental exams recommended by the CHDP periodicity schedule and/or Health Advisory Committee, receive immunization updates on appropriate timelines, and receive all screenings mandated by the Performance Standards (sensory, developmental, and social/emotional) on 45 day timeline. 
  10. Completes and maintains all necessary records and documentation as required for compliance with performance standards and regulations.  Safeguards confidentiality of personal information of children and families by upholding mandates and policies. 
  11. Ensures safe environment by following all health and safety procedures and mandates.  Assists staff, parents and volunteers in maintaining an orderly, clean, and appealing site. 
  12. Ensures readiness of current and complete family information and compliance by collecting all necessary documentation for the child/family file.  Reviews screening/exam results and analyzes the data to determine need for further evaluation and/or treatment follow-up.  Assists family in coordinating referrals for further follow-up and ensures families are linked to services.  Acts as a liaison between families and the community.
  13. Maintains essential recordkeeping data and documentation as required, including, but not limited to: resource library inventory, child/family files, home visit reports, diagnostic/developmental reports, observations, referrals, parent contact forms, monthly calendars and schedules, agendas and meeting minutes, notices to parents, tracking reports, etc.
  14. Participates in reflective supervision sessions for on-going support. 
  15. Keeps current on best practices through ongoing career development and training.  

EQUIPMENT USED:

  1. Telephone, fax, copier, personal computer.
  2. Vehicle

JOB CONDITIONS / COMPLEXITY:
Work is performed with considerable independence using established component plans, resource materials and the procedures and regulations of the program.  Frequent standing, sitting, rising, and walking.  Regular bending, squatting and sitting to communicate with children on their level.  Regular climbing of stairs to visit homes. Lifting up to 50 pounds.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  1. AA/BA in Early Childhood Education with a minimum of 3 units in Infant/Toddler studies or AA/BA in Social Work, Psychology or other related field, with a minimum of 3 units in Infant/Toddler studies or equivalent training and /or experience may be considered. And Two years of full-time experience in teaching low-income, multi-ethnic infants/toddlers, in which one year was supervising staff.
  2. Bilingual English/Spanish required 
  3. Must have demonstrated ability to:
    1. Work independently.
    2. Communicate verbally and in writing accurately and professionally
    3. Establish and maintain ethical and responsive relationships
    4. Be responsively involved in community and program professional activities.
    5. Find and access community resources for low income families and their children.
    6. Able to relate linguistically and culturally to enrolled families
  4. Must have knowledge of and experience with:
    1. Implementation of a child development program through a home visiting family service approach.
    2. Head Start Performance Standards, State Licensing Title 22 regulations, Americans with Disabilities Act, and other related requirements of child development programs (or willingness and ability to learn).
    3. Adult learning styles and parent anticipatory guidance techniques.
    4. computer software applications, ie…word processing, spreadsheet and data base, digital imaging (or be willing to learn).
    5. low income, ethnically and linguistically diverse populations.
  5. Required by program standards:
    1. TB test within 60 days and medical exam no later than 1 year old from hire date.
    2. Fingerprinting, Child Abuse Index Check, Criminal Record clearance upon hire.
    3. California Driver’s License and reliable vehicle with required insurance and a good driving record.
    4. CPR and First Aid Certificates (within 3 months of hire) and at least 15 hours of accredited health and safety training.
    5. Original or certified copies of all credentials or certificates and college transcripts indicating applicable coursework to meet requirements of position.
    6. Reporting of any suspected child abuse, as required by state law.

This job description is not intended to be understood to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.  Duties and responsibilities may vary depending upon agency needs. 

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