PROGRAM SUMMARY: Partnering with Parents supports mothers during pregnancy and their children from birth to three years old in Oak Park and River Forest through home visiting and group activities that help parents grow as their child's first teacher.

POSITION LOCATION: This position is located in the Partnering with Parents offices at 171 S. Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Partnering with Parents Parent Educator (Part-Time) provides a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate infant/toddler program of curriculum and instruction focusing on the unique needs of the parent and their children. The position includes providing a safe and nurturing teaching environment for the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of the parents and their children, including those enrolled with special needs. The Parent Educator plans, implements and evaluates the development and learning of an assigned group of parents and their infants and toddlers. The Parent Educator provides social service and case management for families. The Parent Educator supports pregnant women and parenting family’s health and social service needs by consulting with professionals, as needed with a sensitivity to various cultural, racial and ethnic groups. The Parent Educator reports to the Partnering with Parents Program Supervisor. Services are provided in Oak Park and River Forest.

MAJOR FUNCTIONS/ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Develop trusting relationships, teach problem solving skills and improve the family’s support system through consistent and comprehensive home visitation support
• Comply with the required schedule of family contact to ensure the family is well informed and an active participant in the program
• Actively assist with program planning and development, i.e. family events, quarterly report, and program contract
• Maintain assessments on families to determine referral and treatment plans in relation to domestic violence, infant mental health, trauma, parent/child interaction, family stress, drug and alcohol abuse and developmental outcomes
• Assist participants in developing and implementing a specific participant service plan
• Assist in recruitment and retention efforts to engage and maintain families in services
• Understand and adhere to Parents as Teachers best practice standards
• Provide accurate information and support prenatal issues, child development and parenting utilizing the Parents as Teachers Curriculum and approved handouts
• Promote and demonstrate positive parent/child relationships through observing caregivers and babies interacting
• Demonstrate familiarity with the services for pregnant and parenting families with community agencies and refer participants to appropriate services and resources
• Attend scheduled meetings with Program Supervisor for reflective supervision sessions
• Participate in professional development both within the community of Oak Park/River Forest and throughout the state, and as approved by the Program Manager
• Work in tandem with service providers in the community, such as service coordinators, clinicians, therapists, and case managers to promote essential developmental medical and social outcomes for our families
• Run reports to review monthly attendance and statistical reports
• Ensure appropriate client record keeping through data entry in the Visit Tracker computer system and in the participant’s hard file
• Serve as an advocate for the participant and their family
• Assist in arranging for participants to enroll/participate in educational services, job-related training or employment opportunities
• Attend scheduled All-Staff meetings
• Serve on agency committees, as requested or support fellow team members with requests as needed
• Participate in longitudinal studies, as requested
• Participate in area networks focusing on parents and families
• Ensure that families have a primary care physician
• Monitor and encourage participants to follow through with immunizations, vision and hearing screens
• Provide handouts and support regarding birth control methods, including abstinence
• All other duties as assigned

Education/Certification:

• Bachelor’s Degree Required

Experience Required:

• Knowledge of child development

Vehicle/Transportation Requirements:

• Valid driver’s license
• Auto insurance
• Reliable vehicle
• Ability to travel throughout the Oak Park/River Forest area in different geographic locations and housing situations

Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to attend overnight trainings, with a minimum of one being a week long
• Flexible scheduling to attend trainings and meet with families
• Team player with strong people skills
• Bi-lingual candidates encouraged to apply

ADA: Easterseals will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disability Act of 1990. Unless exempted by the Americans with Disabilities Act, all persons hired for this position are required to possess the ability to perform the physical tasks necessary to treat clients, i.e., bending, floor-sitting, etc., as well as to have the ability to lift up to 50 pounds frequently.