SE Bilingual Early Childhood Health Specialist

SGA YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES NFP•Chicago, IL

About The Position

SGA’s mission is to help children, families, and communities facing great challenges to realize their potential. SGA uses a proven and innovative method called the Cycle of Opportunity. This system is a continuum of comprehensive services that helps break the cycle of adversity and provide families with enough opportunity to change their lives and their communities. SGA’s Early Head Start Home-based program serves children 0-3 years within the city of Chicago through weekly home visits engaging both the caregiver and the child. Additionally, families participate in bi-monthly group socializations, parent trainings, governance, and field trips. As part of the research-based Head Start program, all children and their families receive wraparound services to ensure the healthy development and success of the child. The Health & Mental Health Specialist is responsible for monitoring all of the health physicals, hearing and vision screenings, developmental screenings, individual health plans, and follow-up care for the children in the program.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree public health, child development, early childhood education, social work, or related field.
2-3 years working with children ages 0-3 required
Knowledge and understanding of the Head Start Program Performance Standards and Illinois
Experience working within a Head Start Programs and/or working with families regarding health, nutrition, and mental health for infants and toddler
Understanding Early Childhood Home Visiting Programs
Knowledge with Data System ChildPlus
Ability to complete monthly routine reports and correspondence
Ability to coordinate health groups as required
Exercises discretion and independent judgment in executing tasks.
Must demonstrate the ability to establish community relationships and with families of varying educational, experiential, and socio-economic backgrounds and handle emergency and crisis situations.
Bilingual – Spanish required
Competent in Microsoft Office tools and inputting services in an online database.
Schedule may be flexible and may include some evening and weekends.
Must be able to make home visits when necessary.
Valid Driver’s License and Automobile Insurance.
Reliable transportation.
Must be able to remain stationary 50% of the time
Must be able to frequently move inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
Must be able to transport oneself to and from home visits
Occasionally ascends/descends stairs
Constantly positions oneself to assist children during activities.
Frequently moves desks, chairs, tables, easels, and children's toys.
At times may be required to lift and carry up to 25 lbs. for various events
Frequently moves in outdoor weather conditions

Responsibilities

Data entry & Reporting
Responsible for reporting, data entry, and monitoring of child health, immunization, dental, hearing and vision screenings.
Responsible for data entry associated with the mental health interventions completed by the mental health consultant.
Responsible for all health, mental health, and nutrition reporting to agency and grantor.
Ensures accuracy of all health, nutrition, and mental health data entered in Child Plus for the annual Program Information Report (PIR)
Monitoring
Tracks and monitors the 30/45/90-day health events required for enrolled children.
Tracks and informs Home Visitors and parents when required physicals, immunization records, dental and hearing and vision re-screens are due.
In cooperation with the Home Visitors, ensures all hearing and vision screenings are complete within the child’s first 45 days in the program, and ensures re-screens are completed according to the grantor's timeline.
Acts as liaison between the Nurse, Mental Health, and Nutrition Consultants, and Home Visitors.
Collaborates with Nutrition Consultant to ensure the nutritional needs of children and families are met.
Coordinates with Nurse Consultant to ensure children are current with all health requirements.
Collaborates with Home Visitors to ensure healthy snacks are served at socialization and home visits.
Monitors medication logs for each socialization group.
Community Partnerships and Training
Follows up with hospitals and clinics as needed to support caregivers in obtaining health documentation.
Support families to secure primary health providers for medical and dental needs.
Coordinates and facilitates biannual Health Safety Advisory Committee meetings.
Coordinates training and information related to health, mental health, oral health, and nutrition for Home Visitors, families, and pregnant women.
Seeks, maintains, and renews community partnerships with local health, mental health, dental, and nutritional providers to support the needs of children and families.
Administration
Participates in internal staffing around health and mental health content areas when necessary.
Assists Home Visitors with completion of referrals to the Mental Health Consultant.
Participates in all required training and meetings at the grantor or the agency.
Attends recruitment events to recruit eligible children and families.
Attends biannual focus groups.
Attends monthly Parent Policy Committee (PPC) meetings and gives health, nutrition, and mental health reports/updates.
In cooperation with the program coordinator, participates in annual self-assessment and community assessment.
In cooperation with the Program Coordinator, complete monthly inspections of the First Aid kits to guarantee they are always stocked.
Ensures that hearing and vision machines are calibrated annually and ensures that props are always stocked.
Complete other duties as assigned.