Early Head Start Home Visitor

Description

Self Help Inc. is currently looking for an enthusiastic, experienced Home Visitor to join our team.

Agency Profile

Self Help, Inc. is a nonprofit Community Action Agency (CAA) created to help families and individuals stabilize and secure their lives through education, strategic assistance, and building opportunities in their communities. We provide a range of services for families and households across Southeastern Massachusetts.

Job Summary

 The Home Visitor is responsible for providing comprehensive, strengths-based home visiting services to expectant parents and families with children aged birth to five enrolled in the Head Start/Early Head Start home-based program option. The Home Visitor partners with families to support child development, promote school readiness, enhance parenting skills, and connect families to community resources. This role requires building trusting relationships, cultural responsiveness, and a deep understanding of early childhood development and family support principles

SALARY RANGE: $24-$27.50 PER HOUR

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Home Visiting and Curriculum Implementation: 

• Conduct regular, structured home visits (typically weekly or bi-weekly) to enrolled families, lasting approximately 1.5 hours.
• Implement an approved, child-focused home visiting curriculum that promotes development across all domains (cognitive, social-emotional, language and literacy, physical, and approaches to learning).
• Plan and facilitate engaging, age-appropriate learning experiences with parents and children, adapting to individual family needs and interests.
• Model effective parent-child interactions and provide guidance on positive parenting practices.
• Support parents in their role as their child's first and most important teacher.

Family Support and Case Management: 

• Develop and maintain respectful, culturally responsive, and trusting relationships with families.
• Partner with families to assess their strengths, needs, and goals through family resource assessments.
• Collaborate with families to develop and regularly update individualized Family Service Plans, addressing goals related to child development, family well-being, economic stability, and self-sufficiency.
• Provide information and referrals to community resources, such as health, mental health, oral health, housing, food assistance, and educational services.
• Advocate for families and assist them in navigating community systems to access needed support.
• Offer support and strategies for families coping with crisis.

Child Development and Screening: 

• Conduct developmental screenings (e.g., Ages and Stages Questionnaires - ASQ) for children regularly to monitor progress and identify potential developmental concerns.
• Facilitate health, vision, and hearing screenings for children as required by Head Start Performance Standards.
• Collaborate with other program staff and community providers to ensure comprehensive services and address any identified developmental or health needs.
• Support parents in understanding their child's learning and development.

 Group Socializations and Parent Engagement: 

• Assist in the planning and facilitation of group socializations and parent meetings/workshops to promote peer support, parent education, and community connectedness.
• Encourage parent involvement in program planning, design, and feedback.

 Documentation and Compliance: 

• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records of home visits, screenings, assessments, family goals, and referrals in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards and agency policies.
• Participate in reflective supervision and staff meetings regularly.
• Adhere to all federal and state regulations concerning confidentiality, ethical considerations, and child protection (mandated reporter).

Professional Development: 

• Actively participate in ongoing professional development and training related to early childhood development, home visiting best practices, family engagement, and Head Start regulations.

Other Requirements

• Must pass a criminal background check and other required clearances
• Must have or be willing to obtain CPR and First Aid certification
• Must meet the physical requirements of the position, including the ability to lift and carry young children, bend, stoop, and actively engage with children 
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation is required

Schedule

• Monday-Friday
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including some evenings and weekends, to accommodate family needs

Knowledge, Skills and abilities

• Strong knowledge of infant, child, and adolescent development (birth to five), parent/child attachment, and maternal-infant health
• Familiarity with Head Start Performance Standards and the principles of home-based service delivery
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to build rapport and trust with families from diverse backgrounds
• Ability to work independently, organize a demanding workload, and meet deadlines
• Basic computer skills and proficiency in relevant software programs
• Must maintain appropriate boundaries and adhere to a code of ethics

Education & Experience

• High School Diploma or GED required
• Home based CDA
• A state-awarded certificate or credential that meets or exceeds the requirements of a home visitor CDA
• An Associates or Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education, Social Work, Human Services, or a related field

Self Help Inc offers a comprehensive employee benefits package:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• LTD
• FSA
• 403B
• Vacation Time
• Optional Time
• Sick Time
• Holidays
• Disability Benefits
• Life Insurance
• Direct Deposit

 Self Help, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.

Disclaimer

This job description is not intended, and should not be construed to be, an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with the job. It is intended, however, to be an accurate reflection of those principal job elements essential for making decisions related to job performance, employee development and compensation. As such, the incumbent may perform other duties and responsibilities as required. Its contents imply no contractual obligation and may be changed by the agency at any time.