Early Childhood Specialist

COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY•Jackson, MI

2d•$23 - $29•Onsite

About The Position

The Early Childhood Specialist works as part of an interdisciplinary team, in accordance with Early Head Start Performance Standards, to provide expertise in infant and toddler development. The specialist supports family engagement and the family partnership process, including referrals to Community Action Agency (CAA) and other community programs. They maintain a caseload and make weekly home visits to work with infants, toddlers, and families on child development, parent-child bonding, and school readiness. The role also includes recruitment to maintain full Early Head Start enrollment. The specialist provides case management and support using the Infant Mental Health model and an approved Early Head Start curriculum. They assess family needs, develop goals and plans, provide counseling and developmental guidance, coordinate referrals and services, and advocate for children and parents. The role involves maintaining accurate, confidential records; collaborating with agency staff and community partners; coordinating family support; organizing parent activities; facilitating twice-monthly socialization opportunities; and assisting with transitions between program options. The position is full-time and based with the Jackson County Children's Program in Jackson, Michigan. Travel is up to 50%, including home visits. The specialist reports to the Early Head Start Manager and does not supervise staff. Required hiring contingencies include passing required background checks and providing proof of a physician-signed physical exam or obtaining one through CAA, as well as a negative TB test within the prior 12 months or before starting. All staff participate in professional development training and ongoing CAA training.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in social work or a related human services field is required.
Valid Michigan driver’s license.
Reliable transportation for home visits throughout the workday.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to complete and document case notes, lesson plans, and reports accurately and promptly.
Ability to communicate complex ideas and advocate for children and families with other providers.
Ability to set and keep appointments and work independently.
Strong independent problem-solving and decision-making skills, including independent judgment in completing routine tasks and the ability to prioritize and make quick decisions in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent interpersonal skills, including tact, courtesy, empathy, flexibility, and the ability to establish and maintain positive relationships across economic levels, cultures, and capabilities.
Ability to promote teamwork and participate as a member of agency and interagency teams.
Ability to maintain absolute confidentiality in sensitive matters and use tact and diplomacy when assisting staff and clients, including families in crisis.
Ability to visit clients in homes that may not be handicapped-accessible and may present environmental hazards.
Ability to work effectively in a home office or agency office setting and manage numerous tasks in a busy environment.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.
Ability to pass required background checks.
Provide proof of a physical exam signed by a licensed physician confirming capability to perform essential duties, or obtain a physical through CAA’s provider.
Provide a negative TB test from within the last 12 months or before starting the position.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a relevant field.
Two years of experience in a related field.
Demonstrated knowledge of typical and atypical infant and toddler development and family dynamics.
Infant Mental Health training.
Active state licensing in the designated field.
Infant Mental Health Level II endorsement.

Responsibilities

Follow Head Start Performance Standards, program guidelines, agency policies, Universal Precaution procedures, confidentiality requirements, and applicable recipient-rights and disclosure policies.
Maintain a caseload and provide case management and support services using the Infant Mental Health model and an approved Early Head Start curriculum.
Conduct weekly home visits, including adapting to varying home conditions, to support infants, toddlers, and their families.
Use observation, assessment skills, knowledge of infant and toddler development, and infant mental health strategies to assess family needs, including risks of atypical development and psychosocial or emotional disorders.
Develop goals and plans to support preschool readiness, using infant-parent psychotherapy, supportive counseling, developmental guidance, concrete services, and advocacy as needed.
Build trusting relationships with parents from varied economic, cultural, and developmental backgrounds and communicate effectively with and on behalf of parents and young children.
Document family contacts and contacts made on families’ behalf in the data management system, including referrals to community agencies and health care professionals.
Participate in Early Head Start staff meetings, reflective consultations, and supervision; collaborate with education and health professionals in delivering and evaluating services.
Complete family-service requirements, including the family partnership process, family assessments, goal setting, crisis support, and referrals.
Recruit eligible children and families on an ongoing basis and collaborate with community partners, including attending community meetings and events, to maintain full enrollment.
Coordinate team meetings to ensure holistic support for families across inter-agency programs and community partners.
Familiarize parents with local resources, including the Community Resource Directory and 211; make referrals to CAA and other agencies and follow up within 30 days to confirm service access.
Maintain current and accurate records, reports, and program data entry while protecting confidentiality.
Help organize, plan, recruit for, and implement parent trainings, workshops, events, and support groups; encourage parent attendance and mentor parent representatives on Policy Council.
Facilitate twice-monthly socialization opportunities for enrolled children and other required socialization experiences.
Assist with transitions of enrolled students to other program options or out of agency programming as needed.