Child Development Specialist

Latin American Youth Center • Washington, DC

10d

About The Position

The Child Development Specialist delivers services to address the physical, emotional, and intellectual growth and safety of the programs’ children ages birth to eight. The Child Development Specialist is responsible for conducting developmental evaluations, connecting individuals to resources, and documenting tasks required to deliver quality, safe behavioral health services that are integrated into the housing program.   JOIN US AND SUPPORT YOUTH TO LIVE, WORK, AND STUDY WITH DIGNITY, HOPE, AND JOY! Latin American Youth Center’s (LAYC) mission is to empower youth to achieve a successful transition to adulthood, through comprehensive and innovative programs that address youths’ social, academic, and career needs. To accomplish this mission, LAYC provides services and opportunities to approximately 4,000 individuals annually, supporting academic achievement, promoting healthy behavior, and guiding youth toward successful adulthood.    We believe in a future where all youth pursue their dreams, reach their goals, and acquire the skills and self-confidence to live a life of purpose, connection, contribution, and joy.

Requirements

• Master’s in social work, licensed at the LGSW level, or related fields such as counselor, psychologist.
• Experience working with RHY children and their families.
• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.  
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of community and local resources.
• Flexible schedule, including occasional evenings for school events.
• Bilingual or fluent/proficient: English and Spanish required. 
• Has an understanding of child development concepts or the desire to learn;
• Ability to actively engage youth, families, and community members;
• Ability to plan and implement events consistent with the needs of children/youth and in the context of available resources.
• Knowledge in trauma response, child development.
• Complete criminal and child abuse/neglect clearances.
• Flexible, energetic, positive individual with commitment to youth development in a high-quality, respectful environment.
• Ability to work well and communicate with culturally diverse populations.
• LAYC/MMYC requires the COVID-19 vaccine of all its employees. You will be required to provide proof of vaccination at the time of your interview and during onboarding.

Responsibilities

• Helps create a safe and cognitively stimulating environment for program participants;
• Builds a meaningful and healthy working relationship with children and their families that promotes healing and guidance;
• Conduct standardized assessments and screenings for program participants using validated instruments.
• Administer the Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (SPDAT) to assess the needs and prioritize services for youth participants;
• Administer the Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS) to evaluate the functional status and needs of young parents (YP) participating in the program;
• Administer the Preschool and Early Childhood Functional Assessment Scale (PECFAS) to assess the developmental and functional needs of children of program participants;
• Evaluates and monitors children to determine physical and mental development, including social, motor development, self-help, cognitive, and language skills, and makes appropriate referrals;
• Documents activities, tracking progress, and formulates appropriate treatment plans and delivers behavioral health interventions appropriate for children, including exercises and activities for parents to administer;
• Updates Treatment Plans on a 3-month basis and/or when client’s condition(s) change;
• Conducts workshops for families around parenting issues, developmental milestones, etc. (using the model, and add language from RFA)   
• Preparing and implementing activities that promote mental health, developmental skills, and life skills acquisition; 
• Works in collaboration with other community stakeholders to meet the developmental needs of children/youth and their families when possible;
• Documents in HMIS and ETO all contacts with clients, family members, LAYC staff, and representatives from other agencies involved in the provision of client services within 24h of each contact. 
• Conducts home visits or apartment inspections to assess for safety, strengths, and needs of children and their families, and as related to their overall treatment plan;
• Assists participants in scheduling appointments and accompanies participants, as necessary, to educational, legal, medical, and other appointments; 
• Enters case notes and ensures that all participant case files are up-to-date and meet funding and licensing requirements;
• Responds to crises and intervenes to resolve immediate problems in consultation with the Program Manager;
• Must be available to respond to emergency calls after office hours on a rotating basis;
• Improves professional skills by attending workshops, seminars, and training sessions as allowed by time and funding constraints. Attends at least 40 hours of training annually;
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Program Manager in support of LAYC’s Housing Department

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision plans with prescription coverage.
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Voluntary long-term disability and supplemental life insurance
• Matching 401(k) program beginning at hire
• 3 weeks paid vacation leave per year, increasing to 4 weeks with tenure, 12 days (upfront) paid sick leave per year, 12 paid holidays per year, 4 wellness days. 
• Eight weeks paid parental leave, including adoption and foster care.
• Health club discounts
• One to two days per week of telework for most positions (eligible after first 60 days).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees