Parent Educator – Chicago

SGA’s mission is to help children, families and communities facing great challenges to realize their potential.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plans and implements developmentally appropriate home-based activities twice per month to the assigned caseload.
• Responsible for completing intake and enrollment for all qualified children/families.
• Assists in maintaining a minimum 80% enrollment rate throughout the program year utilizing various recruitment strategies.
• Encourages parent participation in literacy activities, parent workshops, group socialization and other events or training.
• Collaborates with Parent Educators to lesson plan for group socialization and parent workshops.
• Responsible for the facilitation of group socialization and parent workshops.
• Works jointly with parents to develop home visits and activity plans based on each child’s assessment and identified family needs.
• Completes Parents As Teachers (PAT) lesson plans and personal visits records.
• Responsible for data entry and monitoring of child’s records utilizing the COPA system.
• Works jointly with parents to obtain the necessary documentation needed to complete intake.
• Completes developmental assessments and family needs assessments with families as needed.
• Develops, with parent input, an individualized family support plan.
• Maintains and preserves a confidential family file.
• Assists in identifying children with special needs and makes the necessary referrals.
• Refers and links children and parents to needed services including but not limited to; EI/LEA, WIC, housing, food pantries, medical clinics, etc.
• Participates in ongoing training and staff development provided by the Ounce of Prevention, DFSS, Director, other consultants, workshops, and conferences.
• Attends regularly scheduled team and agency staff meetings.
• Implements procedures for the recruitment, enrollment & engagement of eligible families.
• Completes other duties as assigned.

Education: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood, Child Development, or related field with 9 hours in Early Childhood Education Credits and 0-3 years of experience in Early Childhood.

Experience:

• Experience working with young children ages 0-5 years old preferred.

Other:

• Sensitivity to cultural diversity is required. Ability to communicate and cooperate with diverse families, various professionals and community groups.
• Must be able to make home visits to present, prospective, and former clients in the clients’ own homes.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees or the organization.
• Exercises discretion and independent judgment in executing tasks.
• Must demonstrate the ability to establish helping relationships with families of varying educational, experiential and socio-economic backgrounds and handle emergency and crisis situations.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Competent in  Microsoft Office tools and inputting services in an online database.
• Parent Educators must receive training in education, nutrition, and other topics relevant for the position, and must plan and implement appropriate family/parent educational activities and function as a member of the program team.
• Schedule may be flexible and may include some evenings and weekends.
• Valid driver’s license, car insurance, and access to an automobile.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• 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.
• Consistently positions oneself to assist children during activities.
• Frequently moves desks, chairs, tables, easels, and children’s toys.
• At times may be required to lift up to 25 lbs. for various  classroom and event needs.
• Ability to move in outdoor weather conditions.