Family Development Specialist

Family Development Specialist

The Family Development Specialist is responsible for curriculum planning and implementation, and family goals development of the Early Head Start (EHS) program. Provides services through a home visitation caseload of infants/toddlers and their families or pregnant mothers per the Head Start Program Performance Standards, philosophy and mission.

Provides direct service to identified Early Head Start families and their infants/toddlers including children with disabilities through home visits and organizing socializations.

Contributes to the development, evaluation, and revision of the EHS infant/family curriculum.

Maintains a fully enrolled caseload year round.

Participates in child/family recruitment efforts in assigned geographic area throughout Fresno County.

Participates in Enrollment, Recruitment, Selection, Eligibility and Attendance (ERSEA).

Completes forms, maintains written records and prepares program reports as directed.

Maintains written documentation for family files.

Maintains close contact with the assigned EHS Home Base Services Supervisor, ERSEA Coordinator and Family Engagement/Volunteer Services Coordinator

Adheres to all Fresno EOC personnel policies and procedures.

Assumes responsibility for continued professional growth.

Understands professional issues and the need for incorporating code of ethics into educational practice.

Promotes advocacy for children and families.

Serves as a role model for health, safety and hygiene practices, e.g., hand washing, proper lifting.

Assists families in identifying strengths and needs; develops individual Family and Child Development Curriculum Plans to meet their needs.

Schedules and conducts one ninety-minute home visit per week with each family, ensuring inclusion of child development, nutrition, health and safety, and parent education activities.

Conducts and interprets assessments of child's developmental needs.

Plans/conducts socializations for enrolled infants/toddlers and families.

Obtains children's health histories and ensures that physical examinations are obtained from a physician, Child Health and Disability Prevention Program, or other source.

Works with parents to ensure that all immunizations and other medical and/or dental follow-up are completed.

Refers families to community resources as needed.

Assists families by providing education about selecting quality care/ pre-school programs.

Change diapers and assist with toileting as needed.

Follows procedures for mandatory reporting for suspected child abuse.

Builds nurturing relationships with families and helps family members evaluate their growth and development.

Works with parents, pregnant mothers, infants and/or toddlers individually and in small groups on age appropriate activities that promote language, cognitive, social, emotional and physical development.

Involves parents in program activities, Local Parent Meetings (LPM) activities, and County Wide Policy Council (CWPC).

Assists in planning and facilitating parent meetings, i.e., LPM meetings, parent education meetings.

Participates in childcare during parent events as required.

Establishes positive partnerships with community resource providers.

Regularly collaborates with Part C providers for children with Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP).

Maintains strict compliance with universal health precautions including home visits, group socializations, and when administering first aid.

Attends and participates in conferences, meetings and trainings, as required.

Interacts with all children, families, co-workers and community members in a responsible and respectful, kind and friendly, and professional manner per Head Start 0 to 5 Pyramid Teaching Model expectations,

Models professionalism for staff, parents, children, clients, and community members. Promotes a collaborative environment within the service areas, program, and organization.

Adheres to the American With Disabilities Act (ADA-1992) which prohibits discriminatory actions toward children and/or adult with disabilities. In particular, children with disabilities are enrolled in the classroom as mandated by Federal Law.

Maintains confidentiality of records and information on Head Start 0 to 5 staff, children and families.

Travels for organization business using reliable transportation.

Maintains regular attendance and punctuality.

Works evenings and weekends as required.

Performs other duties as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION :

Associate's Degree in Child Development (CD)/Early Childhood Education (ECE) or related field with a minimum of 18 units in CD/ECE and three (3) Infant/Toddler units required.

OR Must complete (3) Infant/Toddler units within 12 months of employment required

Bachelor's Degree in Child Development (CD)/Early Childhood Education (ECE) or related field with a minimum of 18 units in CD/ECE and three (3) Infant/Toddler units preferred.

OR Must complete (3) Infant/Toddler units within 12 months of employment required

EXPERIENCE :

One (1) year of related work experience in a social services, infant/toddler service or Early Childhood Education/Child Development program required.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Possess and maintain valid CPR/First Aid certification or obtain certification within one year of hire, required.

Must possess and maintain Food Handlers Certification or obtain within thirty (30) days of employment, required.

Previous experience working with low income and high-risk families desirable.

In-depth knowledge of infant/toddler growth and development, and family development required.

Knowledge of adult learning processes.

Knowledge of Head Start philosophy, guidelines and Head Start Program Performance Standards, and child abuse reporting laws.

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and related business software.

Effective presentation, written and verbal communication skills.

Ability to multi-task and prioritize workload.

Bilingual in English and Spanish or other secondary language may be required based on the needs of the clients and the program.

Maintain a valid California driver's license, reliable transportation, adequate auto insurance as required by State law, and insurability by organization carrier for those driving organization vehicles. Proof of insurance will be required.

Obtain a valid AB 1207 Mandated Reporter Certification within the first three (3) days of employment.

Pass and maintain Basic Pest Management in a Child Care Settings annual certification as required by the California Healthy Schools Act (HSA).

Physical examination, TB screening clearance and signed federal criminal record declaration are required within 7 days after employment.

Immunized against influenza (flu), pertussis (whooping cough) and measles. The influenza vaccination must be obtained annually during flu season, August 1 through December 1. A person is exempt from the immunization requirements for the following circumstances:

The person submits a written statement from a licensed physician declaring that because of the person's physical condition or medical circumstances, the immunization is not safe.

The person submits a written statement from a licensed physician providing that the person has evidence of current immunity to pertussis (whooping cough) and/or measles.

The person submits in writing declaration that he or she has declined the influenza (flu) vaccination. This exemption only applies to the influenza (flu) vaccine.

Pass required reference checks and fingerprint clearance under Title 22 regulations: Department of Justice/FBI, Criminal Record Statement Child Abuse Central Index (CACI) and background investigation as needed prior to employment.

Former Head Start 0 to 5 parents preferred.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and reach with hands and arms; use hands and fingers to handle, or feel; and talk and hear. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision