EARLY HEAD START HOME VISITOR TEACHER

City of Rockford, IL•Rockford, IL

45d•$23

About The Position

Serves the public with curriculum and lesson planning, teaching infants and toddlers and progress reporting as a Home Visitor Teacher for Early Head Start. Works with parents to support children's learning in the home. Supports pregnant women and families' health and social service needs making referrals as needed. Work involves providing a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate infant/toddler program of curriculum and instruction. Work includes providing a safe and nurturing teaching environment for the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of the children enrolled in the Early Head Start Program, including children with special needs. Plans, implements and evaluates the development and learning of an assigned group of infants and toddlers and their families, or a caseload of pregnant women. Provides social service and case management for assigned Early Head Start families.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in early childhood education or related Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of 32 hours in early childhood education or child development with an emphasis on infant/toddler development.
Prior experience working with young children and families, low-income people or Head Start is a plus.
Completion of a home based CDA credential or comparable credential or equivalent college course work must be completed within 18 months of hire.
Possession of a valid IL Driver's License.
First Aid, CPR and Food Sanitation Certificates (as needed or directed).
Must meet Illinois DCFS licensing standards.
All employees (except Police Sworn and Fire Sworn) hired on or after June 1, 2018, shall reside anywhere in Winnebago County or within fifteen (15) miles of Rockford City Hall (425 E. State Street Rockford, IL 61104) within six (6) months after their introductory period. Department Heads shall live within the municipal boundaries of the City of Rockford.
Effective June 1, 2018, all newly hired employees, including newly hired Department Heads, shall live within the municipal boundaries of City of Rockford within six (6) months of their completion of their introductory period.
Classified employees hired after January 1, 1984, may live anywhere in Winnebago County or anywhere within an area fifteen (15) miles from the Public Safety Building within six (6) months of their date of completion of probation. Employees hired prior to January 1, 1984, shall be subject to their conditions of employment in effect at that time.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply, specifically individuals who speak Spanish, Arabic, Karen or other languages representative of the community

Responsibilities

Participates in Parents as Teachers training and effectively implements the curriculum.
Plans, develops and implements appropriate prenatal, family and infant/toddler curriculum and other activities that will enhance the parent/child bond and relationship.
Keeps notes on children's progress in specific areas of development.
Completes and submits all required developmental screenings and other reporting forms.
Maintains child, family and employee confidentiality in a professional manner.
Communicates effectively with parents both orally and in writing. Completes home visits, conferences, and documentation of both.
Works weekly with families and children in their homes and outside the home twice a month during Parent/Child Group Meetings.
Works with parents to develop, implement, and evaluate activities for home visits, based on child's assessment and identified family need(s).
Works weekly with pregnant women in their homes to provide information on health and development during pregnancy and parenting information for newborns.
Works with children and families to make successful transitions such as from prenatal to having the baby and from Early Head Start to Head Start.
Assists parents in developing ways of using household resources in educational activities with their children.
Assists families with identifying needs and goals and in accessing available community resources; makes referrals and when necessary, transports families to community service agencies such as the health clinic, TANF, clothing and food pantry.
Observes for signs of child abuse or neglect and communicates with appropriate Early Head Start personnel and community agencies, when needed.
Participates in the development and implementation of a personal Professional Development Plan as outlined by the City of Rockford Head Start Program.
Participates in annual program review process.
Identifies children with special learning needs, by conducting developmental screenings with each child in case load and during community Child Find activities. Refers these children to the appropriate early intervention services.
Recruits Early Head Start eligible children for enrollment into the program.
Develops individual service plans on each assigned child and documents observation of child growth and development.
Develops partnership relationships with parents in the Head Start program, encouraging each parent/family to take an active role in the child's educational experiences.
Adheres to all mandates of local, regional, state and federal regulations, as well as Department and Head Start program policies and procedures.
Provides guidance and leadership in the planning of and participation in parent/child meetings.
Promotes and encourages good health, including dental and mental health practices.
Integrates all Early Head Start service areas during home visits.
Solicits and documents in-kind contributions.
Maintains reasonable and predictable attendance.