Respite Support Specialist - Full Time in Norfolk

The Planning Council mission statement – We identify community needs, connect people with solutions, and improve lives.

Our Purpose: From children’s services to homelessness, The Planning Council has identified issues of regional concern and brought together the decision makers and resources to address the challenges. With expertise in community needs assessments, compliance auditing, research and evaluation, our team partners with local governments and businesses, nonprofit agencies, and the faith-based community to address the most vulnerable populations’ needs. Since 1941, our dedicated team has reached geographic boundaries and organizational structures to bring together the right partners to transform ideas into reality. Join our team and become an integral player in making a difference.

Program Summary: This program is designed to offer local Military families the ability to take a much-needed break and rejuvenate while knowing their child with special needs is being well cared for. At The Planning Council, we fulfill the contractual agreement with Child Care Aware of America in hiring, training, and monitoring qualified care providers for Navy and Air Force families who have a child/ren with special needs, exceptional family members (EFM). These families are eligible for monthly respite sponsored by the Military. This position reports to the Respite Care Program Director.

About this Role: A member of the dynamic Respite Care team who ensures compliance, monitors regulations, and provides leadership and support to the families and providers. The Respite Support Specialist supports activities of the Exceptional Family Member (EFM) Respite Care Team. They are responsible for the recruitment, training, and monitoring of care providers. Additionally, they serve as liaison between participating families and Child Care Aware of America (CCAOA). They will regularly engage in verbal and written communication between partner agencies, families, and providers. This position requires strong organizational skills and critical thinking. Regular communication to Providers, Families and Respite Team are critical to success in the position.

Essential Functions:

• Meet with families and EFM children to identify their unique needs.
• Work individually and as a team member to match participating families with appropriate respite care provider(s).
• Conduct in-home monitoring visits to observe and assess environments and provider practices and provide technical assistance which includes mentoring, role modeling, and ongoing consultation as needed to ensure program standards are met.
• Conduct routine audit checks on family and provider files to ensure smooth execution of the annual audit conducted by CCAoA.
• Maintain close communication with families to ensure care expectations are met and delivery of services is effective.
• Maintain program, family, and provider documentation as established by program guidelines.
• Manage administrative responsibilities such as parent contacts, data collection, demographic data, logging visits, eligibility changes, etc.

Competencies:

• Communication: Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to clients and other employees of the organization.
• Compliance: Ability to interpret and apply regulatory guidance.
• Efficiency and Effectiveness: Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and coordinate projects, activities, etc.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates dependability/reliability, flexibility, and a willingness to meet program goals and objectives.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Child Development, Special Education or Early Childhood Education or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in providing exemplary customer service, strong oral and written communications skills.
• Strong computer skills including word processing, data entry, database management and reporting, internet use, and email.
• Relates well to individuals of diverse racial, ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds and of varying abilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience training adults.
• Experience working with families of children with special needs.
• Knowledge of state childcare licensing standards, and childcare observation and assessment practices.

Working Conditions: Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Ability to stand or sit for long periods of time while conducting home visits. May require extensive local, sometimes regional travel with exposure to outdoor elements. Some evening and/or weekend hours may be required.

Background Checks: An offer of employment is contingent upon receipt of satisfactory results to meet the minimum requirements of the position. This may include criminal history and reference checks, fingerprints, E-Verify, driver’s license record, proof of vehicle insurance, and/or a Child Protective Services (CPS) Check. Additional driver’s alcohol, and/or drug testing may be required to be processed in the future to meet and/or maintain the requirements of this position.

The Respite Support Specialist is a Full-Time position. This full-time position is 35 hours per week. The annual salary for this position is £42,500 – £45,000. No phone calls please; recruitment will continue until the position is filled. Apply now! Qualified applicants should send a cover letter and resume to the Respite Care Program Director, Tomika Pitts-Jones at [email protected].