Service Coordinator/Early Childhood Initiative

Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority • Akron, OH

19d • $0 - $40,000

About The Position

The Service Coordinator – Early Childhood Initiative prepares children for kindergarten by empowering parents to be their child’s first and most important teacher. The position works to increase parent knowledge and improve parenting practices, support early detection of developmental delays and health issues, connect families with resources, and decrease maternal depression. The role provides outreach and home visiting to families with children from birth to age 5 who receive housing subsidies or live in targeted Summit County neighborhoods, using the Parents as Teachers curriculum and model. This is a grant-funded position subject to the availability of continuing funding; if funding ceases, the position will be eliminated.

Requirements

• Complete required State of Ohio training and credentialing for Help Me Grow Home Visiting using the Parents as Teachers Curriculum, including necessary background checks.
• Possess a valid Ohio driver’s license and be insurable under AMHA policies.
• Have strong computer skills and the ability to become proficient in Efforts to Outcomes (ETO), OCHIDS, and Microsoft Office applications; learn other software as required.
• Knowledge of organizational policies, procedures, goals, objectives, operational entities, requirements, and activities applicable to AMHA.
• Knowledge of applicable HUD rules and regulations pertaining to public housing.
• Ability to exercise initiative, use sound judgment, analyze situations, and make timely decisions.
• Ability to present information clearly, concisely, and convincingly, orally and in writing.
• Knowledge of program activities and participation in planning and coordinating activities.
• Ability to build relationships with agencies, schools, businesses, and local organizations to expand programs through community partnerships.
• Knowledge of general landlord/tenant and fair housing laws.
• Knowledge of child development and community-agency resources.
• Knowledge of the needs and attitudes of physically, socially, and economically disadvantaged people, including youth and older adults, and ability to communicate with people from varied social, educational, and economic backgrounds.
• Ability to maintain tact and professionalism in crisis-management situations and follow confidentiality rules.
• Proficient mathematical and statistical skills, including the ability to understand and interpret data reports and tracking.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, tenants, officials, and the public.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in social/human services, education, or a related field.
• Early childhood home-visitation experience and familiarity with community early childhood programs and services.
• Parents as Teachers certification.
• Social Work licensure.
• Familiarity with Tenmast.

Responsibilities

• Complete State of Ohio-required training and credentialing to provide Help Me Grow Home Visiting using the Parents as Teachers Curriculum, including required background checks.
• Conduct outreach to eligible families and schedule in-home meetings to educate them about early childhood learning and development, following Parents as Teachers requirements.
• Complete health, developmental, and social-emotional screenings with enrolled children and families.
• Gather and assess medical, psychological, and social information to help ensure families’ basic needs are met and address barriers to self-sufficiency.
• Connect families to early childhood, health, and family support programs and services, and assist with enrollment.
• Develop goals with families and help them mobilize personal capabilities and external resources to improve social functioning.
• Maintain accurate and consistent case notes and data in Efforts to Outcomes (ETO), OCHIDS, and other databases or spreadsheets; report issues and inconsistencies and provide feedback to the Educational Initiatives Supervisor and Coordinator.
• Network with housing professionals and service providers, and inform AMHA colleagues about services and assistance available to residents.
• Coordinate with community agencies, organizations, businesses, and local school districts on events, programs, and awareness of available services.
• Prepare correspondence and technical and status reports to inform management about family-service progress.
• Assist in evaluating the Early Childhood Initiative and recommend improvements.
• Complete competency-based professional development and training, and renew Parents as Teachers certification annually.
• Promote, prepare for, and attend maternal depression support groups and/or Story Times at the assigned site, providing coverage at other sites as needed.
• Promote, prepare for, and attend Family Outreach Events at the assigned site and assist at additional sites as needed.
• Represent AMHA professionally at community functions, collaborations, annual meetings, and inter-agency workshops.
• Communicate and collaborate with Early Childhood Initiative and Resident Services team members.
• Communicate problems to Property Managers and/or Resident Services Management to modify services or address broader issues.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive salary; participation in the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System; medical, dental, and vision plans; basic life insurance; fourteen paid holidays; paid vacation, personal, and sick plans.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed