Child Development Specialist - Full-Time; 5459-205-A

Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens•New York, NY

About The Position

For over 125 years, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens has been providing quality social services to the neighborhoods of Brooklyn and Queens and currently offers 160-plus programs and services for children, youth, adults, seniors, and those struggling with mental illness. The Early Head Start Family Child Care Program is available through the Family Child Care Network (Family Child Care Provider Homes). All Family Child Care Homes provide free quality services to young children and to their families’ ages 6 weeks to 3 years of age. Families are respected as partners in the early care and education process with their children. The Family Child Care Providers’ homes are nurturing learning environments that promote children’s cognitive, social, emotional, language literacy, and physical development. Providers are caring and competent educators who guide the children ‘s learning experiences by exposing them to a variety of developmentally appropriate Montessori activities. Providers strives to actively engage parents, recognizing family participation throughout the program, as a key to a child’s robust development as well as to offer the learning experiences tailored to the changing needs and abilities of children. STATEMENT OF THE JOB The Early Head Start Child Development Specialist (CDS) is responsible for providing professional expertise in Early Childhood Education and Development for CCNS Family Child Care (FCC) Early Head Start program option. The CDS will have a case load 10 to 12 FCC providers and conduct regular visits to each provider home, not less than once every two weeks. Monitoring and educational support to providers regarding Assessment, Screenings, and manage data in the TSG. The CDS will periodically verify compliance with agency policy; facilitate ongoing communication between program staff, family child care providers, and enrolled families. The CDS will provide recommendations for technical assistance and support the family child care provider in developing relationships with other child care professionals.” The CDS will monitor the Providers’ homes, consultation, training, policy and procedure development, agency collaboration and tracking of Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Development services. Collaborates with CCNS other Early Head Start and pre-K programs to develop transition plans, monitor services including observing Providers in the home. Supports the Early Head Start FCC staff and Providers concerning issues of classroom environments, teaching skills, curriculum support and transitioning of children and their families. This includes, but is not limited to Provider Home visits, phone, e-mail, written reports, record keeping and tracking of data. Researches information in the areas of Child Development from professional journals, magazines, reports, and community organizations and disseminating to staff, parents and Providers. Provides support in the coordination of the annual Program Self-Assessment and the follow-up reporting. Provides input with developing and maintaining written policies and procedures that are in compliance with the Early Head Start Performance Standards. Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or Early Childhood Development, Early Intervention or related degree (with minimum of 6 classes with primary focus on ECE/ECD).
At least one year related experience with age groups 0-3, through employment, practicum, student teaching, or volunteering in a pre-school educational environment.
Bilingual Spanish/English; Russian/English; Chinese/English; Korean/English; English/Creole speaking preferred.
Frequent sitting, standing, walking, & climbing stairs.
Ability to lift 25 lbs.
Able to travel throughout the five boroughs as needed.

Responsibilities

The Early Head Start Child Development Specialist (CDS) is responsible for providing professional expertise in Early Childhood Education and Development for CCNS Family Child Care (FCC) Early Head Start program option.
The CDS will have a case load 10 to 12 FCC providers and conduct regular visits to each provider home, not less than once every two weeks.
Monitoring and educational support to providers regarding Assessment, Screenings, and manage data in the TSG.
The CDS will periodically verify compliance with agency policy; facilitate ongoing communication between program staff, family child care providers, and enrolled families.
The CDS will provide recommendations for technical assistance and support the family child care provider in developing relationships with other child care professionals.
The CDS will monitor the Providers’ homes, consultation, training, policy and procedure development, agency collaboration and tracking of Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Development services.
Collaborates with CCNS other Early Head Start and pre-K programs to develop transition plans, monitor services including observing Providers in the home.
Supports the Early Head Start FCC staff and Providers concerning issues of classroom environments, teaching skills, curriculum support and transitioning of children and their families. This includes, but is not limited to Provider Home visits, phone, e-mail, written reports, record keeping and tracking of data.
Researches information in the areas of Child Development from professional journals, magazines, reports, and community organizations and disseminating to staff, parents and Providers.
Provides support in the coordination of the annual Program Self-Assessment and the follow-up reporting.
Provides input with developing and maintaining written policies and procedures that are in compliance with the Early Head Start Performance Standards.
Performs other duties as assigned.