Home Visitor-ISBE

Description

SGA provides a wide range of social services in some of Chicago's most challenged and consistently underserved communities and creates long-term and community-wide change. SGA's mission is to help children, families, and communities facing great challenges realize their potential. SGA uses a proven and innovative method called the Circle of Opportunity. This system is a continuum of comprehensive services to help break the circle of adversity and provides families with enough opportunity to change their lives and communities. 

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Recruit and maintain a caseload of up to 20-24 young children/pregnant mothers.
• Conduct biweekly (weekly if needed) visits and submit weekly schedules.
• Work jointly with parent(s) to obtain the necessary documentation needed to complete intake and other program requirements.
• Assist in maintaining at minimum a 100% enrollment rate throughout the program year utilizing various outreach and recruitment strategies. 
• Complete, update, and maintain all required Parent as Teacher (PAT), ISBE, and program/agency forms.
• Work jointly with parents to develop home visit and activity plans based on each child’s assessment and identified family needs.
• Collaborate with the team, plan and facilitate monthly parent and child activities for Group Connections.
• Maintains families engaged. Encourage parent participation in literacy activities, parent workshops, group connections, and other events or trainings.  
• Responsible for data entry into Visit Tracker, the program's data system, and maintaining all required documentation in child’s/pregnant mother’s binders; keeping all information confidential.
• Complete developmental assessments/screenings and family needs assessment with families as needed to meet program’s requirements.
• Complete required ASQ screenings to identify children with special needs and make the necessary referrals to appropriate staff.
• Develop, with parent input, an individualized family support plan.
• Serve as an advocate for families and as a liaison between families, the program, and the larger community.
• Work in collaboration with other staff for the recruitment and enrollment of eligible families.
• Collaborate with team to create new MOU’s/Partnerships with agencies/organizations that provide services to pregnant women, children, and their families.
• Maintains communication with supervisor and agency staff. 
• Participate in ongoing training and staff development provided by SGA, Program Director, other consultants, workshops, and conferences.
• Attend regularly scheduled team and agency staff meetings/trainings.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE JOB

Education:

• High School Diploma / GED
• Associate Degree in Early Childhood, Child Development or related field and/or CDA preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience working with young children ages 0-3 years old and/or parents.

Other Requirements:

• Must successfully complete Parents as Teachers Model Certification training.
• Familiarity with 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 home.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers, 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.
• Valid driver’s license, car insurance, and access to automobile.  
• Bilingual preferred (Spanish)

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Competent in Microsoft Office tools and inputting services in an online database.
• Home Visitors 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.

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.
• Constantly 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 classrooms and events’ needs.
• At times may be required to transport donations to clients based on need. 
• Frequently moves in outdoor weather conditions. 

FULL-TIME BENEFITS ELIGIBLE 

BENEFITS 

Eligible employees receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; employer-paid life insurance; short- and long-term disability coverage; a 403(b) retirement savings plan; paid vacation, sick leave, personal days, and holidays; an Employee Assistance Program; Benefits are provided in accordance with plan documents and organizational policies, and eligibility may vary based on employment status and scheduled hours.

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time; this description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. This job description is subject to change at any time.

An Equal Opportunity Employer