Early Childhood Education Specialist

Alameda Family Services

Alameda Family Services is a non-profit agency providing comprehensive services to youth, families and children in the City of Alameda.

Early Childhood & Family Support Division

The AFS-Early Childhood and Family Support services division provides high-quality child development, comprehensive health and family support services through a variety of program options designed to meet the individual needs of low-income and at-risk children and families.

On-site child care and in-home support services funded by Head Start, Early Head Start, California State Preschool and General Child Care are provided at no-cost to qualifying expectant parents and families with children from Birth to five years of age.

AFS-ECFS also provides family support, senior services, resources, referrals and workforce development programming at a variety of locations within the city of Alameda.

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Center Director and / or Site Supervisor and with support from program management, the Early Child Care Specialist-Home Visitor will provide prenatal, child development, health and family support services to up to 24 families.

The Early Child Care Specialist will take an active role as part of a team working in classrooms in a child care setting to support child development services including the inclusion of children with disabilities, implementing active supervision strategies, building positive relationships with parents, and fostering family engagement in early learning.

The position includes conducting weekly home visits and twice monthly group socializations for up to 8 pregnant women, infants, toddlers and their families.

General Responsibilities

Provide prenatal, health and family support services to pregnant women including securing health insurance coverage and securing a medical home that provides continuous and accessible health care.

Support pregnant women, infants, toddlers in accessing comprehensive services through referrals that at a minimum include nutritional counseling, food assistance, oral health care, mental health services, substance abuse prevention / treatment and emergency shelter / housing as needed.

Provide Early Head Start services with parents during weekly 90-Minute visits conducted primarily in the home.

Work with parents on implementation of child development curriculum and support parent engagement in conducting activities that support their child in meeting infant / toddler age appropriate developmental milestones.

Conduct and record child development observations, screening and assessments and share information regarding child outcomes and progress made in achieving developmental milestones and benchmarks with parent(s) during home visits and parent-teacher conferences.

Plan, organize and conduct twice-monthly group socialization for children and families enrolled which will include opportunities in a classroom, community facility, outings and / or field trips and assist in organizing and encouraging family participation in program-wide events.

Provide comprehensive case management services, and assist families with resources, referrals in accessing services that support health, wellness, and resiliency.

Support the health and wellness of children and compliance with health requirements by working with parents to ensure that each child is up-to-date with their immunizations and age appropriate EPSDT health requirements, and monitor treatment needs.

Provide individual care and incidental medical services to children with health concerns when needed and appropriate to training.

Care and services would include but are not limited to medication administration, epi-pens, nebulizers, diastat, gastrostomy tube (g-tube) feeding, etc.

Conduct Family Assessments and assist families in developing Individualized Family Partnership Agreements which include identifying family strengths, setting goals, developing strategies, establishing timelines, monitoring ongoing follow-up services, and assessing outcomes.

Involve parents, as appropriate, in all aspects of developing, implementing and evaluating the classroom and child development activities.

Work with, contribute to, and serve as a member of a multidisciplinary team by encouraging and facilitating problem solving strategies;

accepting supervision, and working closely with direct service staff, program management, agency administration, community partners, coaches & consultants to ensure high-quality services and implementation of best practices.

Support the teaching team by providing high-quality responsive child development activities and child care, assist in supervising meal service, and help ensure the health and safety of children especially during times of transition.

Support in-classroom services by implementing developmentally appropriate activities that are in keeping with the program’s curriculum and philosophy (Creative Curriculum, Anti-Bias Curriculum and Developmentally Appropriate Practices, PITC and CSEFEL) and reflect and respect the individual development and diversity of the program’s children, families and staff.

Provide in-classroom support to children with behavioral and / or developmental concerns.

Provide individual care and incidental medical services to children with health related concerns including but not limited to training in use of epi-pen, nebulizer, g-tube, etc

Support parents in establishing and achieving individualized family school readiness goals.

Assist in ensuring compliance with emergency health and safety policies, procedures and protocols (including but not limited to COVID-19 response services).

Participate in regular ongoing training and retain a working knowledge of community health and social service resources, including services for children with behavioral concerns and / or developmental delays and disabilities.

Review daily attendance rosters and contact families when an absence is unexpected.

Assist in organizing and facilitating program-wide events and special activities.

Comply with program and agency policies and procedures related to maintaining client confidentiality in accordance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations.

Work with, contribute to, and serve as a member of a multidisciplinary team which includes direct service staff, program management, coaches and consultants to ensure high-quality services and implementation of best practices.

Review reports and child files to ensure accurate record keeping, documentation, quality of services, and compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) and EPSDT recommendations.

Assist in monitoring, take appropriate action, and report concerns that may negatively impact the health and safety of children enrolled in the Head Start / Early Head Start Program.

Assist in ensuring compliance with emergency health and safety policies, procedures and protocols (including but not limited to COVID-19 response services).

Knowledge, Skill, and Experience

12 Early Child Education units required; Associate Teacher Permit preferred

AA / BA Degree in related field preferred; and / or; Family Development Credential (Required within 12 months of employment)

Experience in early child care setting or social service setting required

Head Start experience preferred

Knowledge of and / or ability to access relevant community resources required

Able to organize and complete work assignments to meet established deadlines

Computer literacy required - ChildPlus.Net and Learning Genie experience preferred

Positive, professional and courteous work demeanor

Ability and desire to work as part of a team in a culturally diverse environment

Second language skills are desirable

Physical Job Description

Lifting of books and other documents weighing up to 20 pounds may be encountered in performing essential functions.

The ability to hold, carry and / or assist children weighing up to 50 ponds is often required.

Ability to understand and comply with Community Care Licensing regulations and Head Start Performance Standards.

Regular and predictable attendance is an essential function of this position.

Must be at least 18 years of age.

Equal Opportunity Employment

Benefits : 401(k)

401(k)

Dental insurance

Employee assistance program

Flexible spending account

Health insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Parental leave

Professional development assistance

Retirement plan

Tuition reimbursement

Vision insurance

Schedule : Monday to Friday

Experience :

Teaching : 1 year (Preferred)

Childcare : 1 year (Preferred)

License / Certification :

Child Development Associate Certification (Preferred)

Work Location : In person