Parent Educator

Shields for Families•Torrance, CA

68d•$26•Hybrid

About The Position

Launched in 2014, SHIELDS' Home Visitation Program provides intensive in-home parenting, child development and support services to mothers and infants. The Home Visitation Program is part of First 5 Los Angeles' County-wide strategic approach to creating and nurturing strong, coordinated and responsive systems in supporting families and improving outcomes for children prenatal through age 5. SHIELDS' Home Visitation Program is designed to impact the most fundamental influence on the lives of young children: their families. Stable, safe and reliable relationships with adults and caregivers are a critical factor in children's optimal development and well-being. Home Visiting services are designed to serve as the primary resource for high risk pregnant women and new parents, and to ensure that they receive effective, evidence-based physical and behavioral health supports. SHIELDS' Home Visitation program serves at-risk pregnant and parenting women and their children ages 0-5 who are referred through SHIELDS' Welcome Baby program. Participants in SHIELDS' Home Visitation Program receive services pursuant to one of two evidence-based programs, Healthy Families America or Parents as Teachers. Parents as Teachers (PAT) is an early childhood parent education and family support program serving families from pregnancy up to the child's 5th birthday or enrollment in kindergarten. Under the PAT model, families receive regular home visits averaging two times a month for up to five years and individualized service planning including needs assessments and follow-up services. The Parents as Teachers Foundational Curriculum guides child development and parenting activities, including parent education, group social activities for families, and structured parent-child interaction. Program staff also conduct developmental, nutritional and environmental screenings and assessments to monitor the developmental progress of children.

Requirements

Know and comply with Agency policies and procedures, HIPAA, Department of Mental Health, policies and documentation guidelines, and other state/federal regulations relating to service programs for adults with a history of mental illness.
Basic advocacy skills.
Present ideas, information, and viewpoints clearly, both verbally and in writing.
Efficiently use the personal computer to include a variety of word processing software.
Utilize analysis, experience, and judgment to make decisions.
Demonstrate commitment to team objectives and SHIELDS For Families philosophies.
Adapt to changing needs by acquiring new skills and knowledge.
A valid California driver's license is required for this position, as driving is an essential function of the role and is required for field work, client crisis response and emergencies. A valid car insurance and registration is required.
Provides services within a culturally sensitive, ethnic informed model of practice and is respectful to the community and clients.
These requirements are typically met by a combination of a high school diploma or GED, and two years of previous supervised work experience with young children. Preferably, Associate's degree or 60 college hours, or Bachelor's degree in early childhood education, social work, health, psychology, or a related field.
The employee in this position must be able to perform this job safely, without endangering the health or safety of him/her or others.
COVID-19 vaccination required. May request medical or religious exemption if applicable.

Responsibilities

Provide home visiting services, including by not limited to linking clients to auxiliary services and assisting clients and their families with accessing appropriate referrals and resources.
Coordinating support services to assist families with developing positive relationships within the family unit, specifically with children 0-5.
Provide on-going support during home visits in the areas of family support, parenting education, early childhood development, health/safety/nutrition, and family/community relationships.
Develop individualized family service plans inclusive of FAF and any additional required assessments per the PAT model.
Provide support and follow-up for all screening, assessment and risk management services.
Provide direct linkages, referrals and service coordination per FSP to ensure families continuity of care and assist with goal setting and plan development.
Maintain advocacy, monitoring and evaluation of caseload on an individualized basis.
Provide Interventions for crisis situations should the need occur.
Maintain data elements for all SHIELDS, First5LA and PAT required information
Provide in-home support for family sessions, one-on-one PE client meetings, TDM's and team meetings.
Attend all agency trainings and maintain compliance.
Deliver effective communication and interpersonal skills.
Interview and assess individual clients to assess social and emotional capabilities, medical, psychological, financial and social factors contributing to client's situation and provide appropriate referrals and resources.
Compile proper client documentation and prepare reports in compliance with SHIELDS, PAT National model and First5LA policies and procedures.
Attend in-service and outside training as required.
Participate in weekly case conferences and meeting s as assigned.
Maintain a working knowledge of existing local private and public community programs, the services they provide and their eligibility requirements.
Maintain good working relationships with local linkage and referral agencies