Early Head Start Parent Advocate​/Homevisitor

Position Highlights

• Department: Early Head Start
• Hours: 40.00 per week
• Shift: Shift 1

Position Summary

The Early Head Start (EHS) Home visitor/Parent Advocate provides early, continuous, and comprehensive child development and family support services to eligible pregnant women and families ages birth to three years. Provides weekly in-home education, regular socialization activities and support services to families.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Direct Patient Contact:

• Provides weekly home visits for 90 minutes with the focus on parent/child relationship, child development, health and nutrition, and family support. Fulfilling the minimum of 46 home visits per year.

• Co-facilitate community playgroups and learning experiences for families two times per month

• Maintain Parents as Teachers certification and related endorsements as required by ACES

• Complete and update in Child Plus (data management software) developmental and health screenings, tracking instruments, intake forms, and home visit records in a timely manner

• Work with parents/guardians to identify and utilize available community resources

• Encourage parent/guardian to participate in home visits, parent meetings, socialization, and program governance

• Maintain a caseload of 12 families

• Assist with transportation as deemed appropriate

• Foster parental belief that they are their child’s first and most important teacher

• Follow program confidentiality protocols

• Work collaboratively with community programs such as Birth to Three and Local Education Agencies to support children with special needs

• Support and advocate for families in provider meetings

• Support families with transition plans to preschool throughout the families’ involvement with the program

• Consult with mental health consultant as needed and to avoid crises

• Engage in regular, reflective supervision and technical assistance with the goal of professional growth

• Attendance and participation in training opportunities

• Regular and consistent attendance is an essential function of this job

• Responsibilities may shift in order to support programmatic needs

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in child development, education, family development, social work or related field
  
  OR certification with Head Start National Family Development Credential (FDC or HV-CDA) working towards bachelor degree completion within 12 months of hire.

• Experience in the early childhood field and working with culturally diverse clients

• Valid driver's license a must for in home services

• Must have excellent writing and communication skills, be highly organized

• Must be able to work as a part of a team

• Able to work flexible hours

• Experience working with families in family centered practice.

• Demonstrate personal self awareness and be reflective.

• Develop and maintain effective relationships

• Ability to work in high stress environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience providing direct patient care is desirable, in-home a plus

• Knowledge of infant/early childhood development and mental health

• Infant Mental Health Endorsement (IMH)

• Knowledge in accessing community resources and supports

• Experience with data entry and record keeping

• Previous home visiting experience

Comprehensive Benefits Offered

• Competitive and affordable benefits package
• Shift Differentials
• Continuing Education assistance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Student Loan relief through Fiducius
• Quick commute access from I-84, Route 9 and surrounding areas

About Middlesex Health

The Smarter Choice for your Career!

Come join one of Connecticut’s Top Workplaces, and a Magnet designated organization! At Middlesex Health, we have a unique combination of award-winning talent, world-class technology, and patient-first care that's making health care better. Through our affiliation with the Mayo Clinic Care Network, Middlesex Health has access to the most advanced medical knowledge and research available.