Parent Educator

CHILD DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES•Williamsburg, VA

9h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Parent Educator partners with parents and caregivers of young children to strengthen parenting skills, promote healthy child development, and help families build on their strengths. Through regular home visits, the Parent Educator provides individualized education, encouragement, resources, and support designed around each family’s unique goals and needs. This is a relationship-centered position for someone who enjoys working directly with families and believes parents and caregivers are their child’s first and most important teachers. The Parent Educator helps families create nurturing home environments where young children can learn, grow, and thrive.

Requirements

Education and/or professional experience in early childhood education, child development, family services, human services, social work, or a related field.
Experience working with young children and families.
Knowledge of early childhood development and developmentally appropriate practices.
Ability to establish positive, professional, and trusting relationships with families from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences.
Strong communication, organization, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work independently in community and home-based settings while functioning effectively as part of a team.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries.
Basic computer skills and ability to maintain timely and accurate electronic documentation.
Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and ability to travel to families’ homes and community locations.
Ability to pass required criminal background checks and TB screening.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience providing home visiting, parent education, family support, or early childhood services.
Experience working with infants, toddlers, preschool-aged children, and their families.
Knowledge of child development, positive parenting practices, and family-centered services.
Experience helping families establish goals and connect with community resources.
Familiarity with developmental screening tools and early childhood resources.
Knowledge of trauma-informed, strengths-based, and culturally responsive practices.
Experience working collaboratively with community partners and multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

Conduct regularly scheduled home visits with participating families in accordance with program requirements.
Build trusting, respectful relationships with parents, caregivers, and children.
Partner with families to identify their strengths, needs, priorities, and goals.
Provide individualized support and education based on each family’s circumstances and the developmental needs of their child.
Help families identify and access community resources and services that support family stability and wellbeing.
Provide encouragement and practical support as families work toward their goals.
Maintain consistent communication and engagement with assigned families.
Help parents and caregivers understand developmental milestones and their child’s individual growth and development.
Provide information and activities that promote children’s cognitive, language, social-emotional, and physical development.
Model developmentally appropriate interactions and activities during home visits.
Encourage parents to incorporate learning opportunities into everyday routines, play, and family activities.
Support positive parent-child relationships and responsive caregiving practices.
Help families recognize and celebrate their child’s progress, strengths, and accomplishments.
Identify potential developmental concerns and connect families with appropriate resources and services when needed.
Work collaboratively with families to develop meaningful, achievable family goals.
Support families in identifying their own solutions and building confidence in their parenting skills.
Connect families with community resources related to education, childcare, healthcare, employment, housing, and other identified needs.
Encourage family participation in program activities, parent events, and community opportunities.
Respect and support each family’s culture, values, traditions, and individual circumstances.
Collaborate with other CDR staff and community partners to coordinate services and support families.
Participate in case discussions, staff meetings, supervision, and program planning activities.
Communicate family needs and concerns appropriately while maintaining confidentiality.
Participate in agency initiatives, outreach activities, screenings, and assigned committees.
Develop and maintain positive relationships with community organizations and service providers.
Complete home visit documentation, family assessments, goal plans, referrals, and other required records accurately and within established timelines.
Maintain confidential family records in accordance with agency, program, state, and federal requirements.
Track family participation, progress, referrals, and outcomes.
Maintain accurate program data and contribute to reports supporting program quality and outcomes.
Follow established policies and procedures related to safety, confidentiality, mandated reporting, and professional boundaries.
Participate in orientation, ongoing training, workshops, and professional development activities.
Stay current on best practices related to early childhood development, parent education, family engagement, and home visiting.
Participate in reflective supervision, coaching, and continuous quality improvement activities.
Contribute to a collaborative learning environment by sharing resources, ideas, and successful strategies with colleagues.