Home Visitor - EHS - EHS Head Start Home Visitor

NEKCA Mission Statement: To empower all generations in the Northeast Kingdom to grow, prosper, and thrive.

SUMMARY: Home Visitor at NEKCA supports families in goal setting, child development, and wholistic family well-being. Recognizing that families are their child’s first teachers, NEKCA utilizes a strengths-based approach to help families thrive. Home Visitors utilize a variety of strategies, including home visiting and offering enrichment activities like community playgroups. Home Visitors are part of a larger Early Childhood Team at NEKCA that collaborates to provide seamless services that put families at the center.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Carry out duties in compliance with HS Performance Standards, Content Area Plans, Vermont Child Care Licensing Regulations for Center-Based Child Care and Preschool Programs, NAEYC, Vermont Parent Child Center Quality Standards, and NEKCA Standard of Conduct.
• Complete NEKCA Performance Evaluations, Professional Development Self-Assessment, and in partnership with supervisor, Individualized Professional Development Plan.
• Be aware of indicators of child abuse and neglect and comply with Vermont Mandated Reporter Law and program Child Protection Protocol.
• Participate in center staff meetings, monthly content area meetings, pre-service, and in-services and incorporate relevant knowledge and skills into practice.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain accurate, up-to-date files on all enrolled children.
• Offer weekly home visits to enrolled families that last at least 1.5 hrs. and provide a minimum of 46 visits per year (make-up visits are an hour).
• Plan 22 playgroup opportunities in partnership with parents/guardians enrolled in EHS and offer over the course of the year.
• Provide services to expectant families according to the program performance standards and curriculum.
• Provide orientation to the program with review of the Family Partnership Handbook, the Guide to Community Resources and with the completion of the Parent Engagement Survey and Family Interest Checklist.
• Provide a monthly newsletter to all enrolled families.
• Assist parents/guardians in co-planning for home visits, child development activities and playgroups per parent/guardian and child interests and goals.
• Promote regular attendance in EHS activities and document.
• Follow program protocol in documenting home visits, missed home visits, offer make-up visits, playgroup and parent attendance for all program offerings and all family contacts.
• Write a minimum of one observation in each developmental domain per child per month for home visits and playgroups.
• Put no less than 9 observations per child per assessment period in TS GOLD.
• Conduct annual developmental and behavioral screenings in partnership with parent/guardian within 45 days of enrollment and review results with parent/guardian according to program protocol.
• Contact Early Head Start Children's Services Manager if screening score shows a concern.
• Implement the EHS Curriculum to fidelity.
• Complete DRDP Assessment 4 times a year according to timeline.
• In partnership with parents/guardians develop child goals using multiple sources of data, including but not limited to screening/assessment results, parent/guardian home visitor observations, and One Plan/IEP Goals.
• Complete Family Conference Form within 3 working weeks after the assessment is completed and put in the child’s file.
• Offer copies of screenings, family conference forms, home visit plans, child observations, child health data, health service summaries, and referrals after reviewing with parent/guardian and document on home visit plan.
• In partnership with parents/guardians, based on developmental concerns, initiate and document referral process to appropriate agencies/providers.
• Assist in implementing One Plan or Individual Education Plan (IEP), for children with special needs.
• In partnership with families and appropriate community agencies/providers, participate in and ensure documentation of team meetings, evaluation process, and development of individual plans.
• Staff will document all child development, health, and disability delivery of services and follow up.
• Complete all registration paperwork with enrolled families within program timeline.
• Complete a strength-based family assessment twice a year with all enrolled families according to timeline; update as needed.
• Identify and describe family goals; document follow-up and progress.
• Assess family resources, provide and record all referrals given to families.
• Initiate and complete, in partnership with parent/guardian, child transition activities according to program policies.
• Actively participate in program and family/child staffings.
• Participate in development and implementation of community partnership activities.

Core Competencies:

• Work effectively as a team member.
• Sufficient transportation to meet job requirements.
• Obtain CPR and First Aid Certification within two months of employment.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Commitment to be actively engaged in a continuing process of professional development.
• Experience working with young children and families.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Employees in this position work in an office environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions.
• Physical Demands: The work involves sitting for extended periods of time, using a computer and other office equipment, and may require occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds.
• Travel: Home visits involve travel to clients' homes. This can vary from local travel to covering a larger geographic area, depending on the nature of the job.
• Client Diversity: Professionals conducting home visits often work with a diverse range of clients, each with unique needs, backgrounds, and living conditions.
• Safety Considerations: Safety is a crucial aspect of home visits. Professionals need to be aware of their surroundings and take precautions to ensure their safety, especially if they are visiting unfamiliar or potentially risky environments.
• Environment: Employees in this role work in an office and may visit client residences. An office environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions. Professionals conducting home may need to work in varying temperatures hot and cold, especially if a task involves outdoor assessments in extreme weather.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requirements Education and Experience:

• Minimum of a home-based CDA credential or comparable credential or equivalent coursework as part of an Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree.
• 2 years of relevant experience.

Background Checks: Employees in this role are required to undergo a background check in accordance with NEKCA policy, which may include verifying education, employment history, and criminal records.

Transportation Requirements: This position necessitates that employees possess a valid driver's license and have access to dependable transportation.