Parent Educator

DOLTON WEST SCHOOL DISTRICT 148 Parent Educator (Preschool For All Expansion) Position Purpose

The Parent Educator works collaboratively with families, education staff, and community partners to ensure the program meets the needs of the whole child. The Parent Educator supports parents and guardians in identifying family needs, establishing meaningful goals, accessing resources, and building the skills and confidence needed to achieve ambitious family goals.

• Support program outreach efforts to identify and recruit children and families who may be at greatest risk or have the greatest need for early childhood services.
• Educate families about the importance and benefits of high-quality early learning programs and assist families throughout the enrollment process.
• Educate families about the importance of regular attendance and connect families with appropriate resources to address barriers to attendance.
• Identify, establish, and maintain partnerships with community organizations and agencies that have access to priority populations.
• Participate in community outreach and engagement activities to increase awareness of program services.

• Assess family strengths, needs, and priorities and work collaboratively with parents and guardians to establish meaningful family goals.
• Connect families with appropriate community resources and services to address identified needs and support progress toward family goals.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential case documentation, including family needs, goals, referrals, services provided, and progress.
• Coordinate family meetings, workshops, and educational opportunities focused on child health, mental health, child development, and family well-being.
• Assist families in establishing a medical and dental home for their children to promote access to consistent, comprehensive health care.
• Provide referrals and support families in accessing mental health and other community-based services as appropriate.
• Coordinate and conduct home visits, as needed, to strengthen the home-school connection, address attendance concerns, provide family support, and promote child and family well-being.
• Support outreach, identification, and enrollment of children with disabilities or other special needs.
• Empower families to understand and advocate for their children's developmental, educational, health, and social-emotional needs.

• Collaborate with teachers and instructional leaders to create meaningful opportunities for families to participate in the classroom, school/site activities, and volunteer experiences.
• Promote and maintain a welcoming, inclusive, and family-centered program environment.
• Engage parents and guardians in the Parent Advisory Council and other leadership opportunities that reflect and value diverse family perspectives.
• Lead the development and implementation of family education opportunities in collaboration with staff and community partners.
• Solicit and incorporate family input when planning educational workshops, events, and other family engagement activities.
• Support effective communication with families in their home language whenever possible and coordinate interpretation or translation services when needed.
• Support families throughout the kindergarten transition process and help ensure a smooth transition for each child and family.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in child development, early childhood education, social work, family services, human services, or a related field preferred; relevant experience may be considered.
• Experience working with children and families in early childhood, education, social services, family support, or a related setting.
• Demonstrated commitment to supporting children and families experiencing barriers to accessing services or who are considered at risk.
• Ability to provide comprehensive, strengths-based, culturally responsive family engagement and support services.
• Strong communication, organization, documentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to establish collaborative relationships with families, school staff, community organizations, and service providers.
• Cultural and linguistic competence appropriate to the community served.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment when working with children and families.