Service Coordinator/Early Childhood Initiative

Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority•Akron, OH

17d•$0 - $19•Onsite

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 role supports goals to increase parent knowledge and improve parenting practices, identify developmental delays and health issues early, connect families with resources, and decrease the prevalence of maternal depression. This is a grant-funded position subject to continued funding availability; if funding ceases, the position will be eliminated. The coordinator conducts outreach and home visits with families who have children from birth to age five and receive housing subsidies or live in targeted Summit County neighborhoods. The position provides family education, screenings, referrals, enrollment assistance, and family goal-setting, while maintaining accurate client records and required grant data. The coordinator also collaborates with AMHA colleagues, schools, community agencies, service providers, and businesses, and supports program activities and evaluation. The position is part time, non-exempt, and reports to the Educational Initiatives Supervisor. The stated pay rate is $19.24 per hour, with consideration based on education, background, and experience. The work environment is an office environment, with attendance at onsite and offsite meetings and activities. The schedule is Monday through Friday.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in social or human services, education, or a related field is preferred.
Must possess a valid Ohio driver’s license and be insurable under AMHA policies.
Strong computer skills and ability to become proficient in ETO, OCHIDS, and Microsoft Office applications.
Ability to learn other software programs as required by assigned tasks.
Knowledge of AMHA policies, procedures, goals, operational entities, requirements, and activities relevant to the assigned area.
Knowledge of applicable HUD rules and regulations for public housing.
Ability to exercise initiative, sound judgment, and timely decision-making.
Ability to communicate information clearly and effectively orally and in writing.
Knowledge of program activities and participation in planning and coordination.
Ability to develop partnerships with agencies, schools, businesses, and other local organizations.
Knowledge of general landlord/tenant and fair housing laws.
Knowledge of child development and community-agency resources.
Understanding 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 backgrounds.
Ability to maintain tact and professionalism in crisis situations and follow confidentiality rules.
Proficient mathematical and statistical skills, including ability to interpret data reports and tracking.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, tenants, officials, and the public.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including occasionally transporting up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

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 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 with children from birth to age five and schedule in-home meetings about early childhood learning and development, following Parents as Teachers model requirements.
Complete health, developmental, and social-emotional screenings for participating children and families.
Gather and assess medical, psychological, and social information to identify unmet basic needs and barriers to self-sufficiency; connect families with early childhood, health, and family support services and assist with enrollment.
Develop goals with families and help them mobilize their capabilities and external resources to improve social functioning.
Enter accurate and consistent case notes and client information in ETO, OCHIDS, and other databases or spreadsheets for grants and reports; communicate issues or inconsistencies and provide feedback to supervisors and coordinators.
Build relationships with housing professionals and service providers to stay informed about available services and share service information with AMHA staff.
Coordinate with community agencies, organizations, businesses, and local school districts to support resident events, programs, and understanding of available services.
Prepare correspondence and technical and status reports to inform management about family-services progress.
Assist in evaluating AMHA’s 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, and provide 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 or Resident Services Management to modify services or address broader issues.
Perform other duties as assigned.