Child and Youth Program Assistant

Summary

CYP Assistants work directly with children and youth, keeping them actively engaged, well‑cared for, and safe while participating in the CYP. The CYP Assistant’s day includes helping children develop social skills such as making friends and conflict resolution; making healthy choices whether it be choosing nutritional snacks or appropriate recreational activities; building self‑help and school readiness skills; and exploring the environment around them.

The duties and responsibilities of the CY Program Assistant are grouped into categories, including curriculum, indoor and outdoor environment, interactions and relationships, supervision of children and youth, parent and employee communication, assessment, compliance, and additional responsibilities. Each is described below.

• Develop schedules and activity plans, providing input into plans developed by entry‑level and intermediate‑level Educational Aids (CY Program Assistants), CY-1702-I.
• Ensure program plans and activities incorporate the observed needs of individual children and youth.
• Implement activities and special events that meet the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive needs of children and youth.
• Incorporate special instructions provided by parents such as special dietary needs, physical needs, or other information that may affect the child or youth’s experience.
• Prepare and implement program options for children and youth with special requirements and provide care for children and youth with special needs as directed by the supervisor.
• Demonstrate, instruct, lead, and facilitate planned and spontaneous program activities.
• Role‑model developmentally appropriate practice and classroom or activity‑area management techniques.
• Promote and model safety, fitness, health, and nutrition practices.
• Help arrange for and/or serve appropriate snacks or meals where applicable.

• Help prepare, arrange, and maintain indoor and outdoor activity areas and materials to accommodate daily schedules.
• Set up displays and bulletin boards.
• Inventory equipment on a recurring basis and recommend replenishing damaged, missing, and depleted supplies.
• Secure supplies, equipment, and facilities.

• Establish a program environment that sustains participant interest and promotes positive interactions with other children, youth, and adults.
• Interact with children and youth using approved child guidance and youth development techniques.

• Provide care and supervision, oversight, and accountability for program participants in compliance with DoD, NAF Component, and local installation policies.
• Maintain control of and account for whereabouts and safety of children and youth.
• Supervise children and youth during the daily schedule of indoor and outdoor activities and on field trips, outings, and special events.
• Ensure children and youth (as applicable) depart with the authorized person according to written parental instructions.
• Observe program participants for signs that may indicate illness, abuse, or neglect and report as directed. Incumbent is a mandatory reporter to Family Advocacy and Child Protective Services as prescribed by local policy in the case of suspected incidences of child abuse and neglect.

• Interact professionally with employees, parents, and local installation command personnel.
• Provide parents with daily verbal or written feedback about their child/youth or program activities.
• Participate in conferences with parents and employees.

• Observe children and youth and document developmental progression and/or concerns. Use the information in planning.
• Participate in program evaluation using designated instruments such as programmatic rating scales, risk assessment tools (as required), self‑inspection materials, and national accreditation tools.

• Assist in achieving and maintaining DoD certification and national accreditation or equivalent.
• Ensure compliance with law, policies, and regulations applicable to DoD CY programs.
• Notify supervisor of health, fire, and safety compliance concerns.

• Collect…