Preschool Program Aide

Position:
Birth to 3 Home Visitor

Job Summary:

Work collaboratively with infants, toddlers, and their families, education staff, and community partners to ensure that the program meets the needs of the whole child and supports parents/guardians in addressing family needs and setting and achieving ambitious family goals. Have a working knowledge of the Prevention Initiative Program and ISBE grant requirements.

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in child development, early childhood education, social work, or related field.
• Pleasant personality and neat appearance.
• Ability to establish a good relationship with parents of all backgrounds and ages.
• Experience working with parents and children under three years of age.
• Ability to work closely and in collaboration with other professionals.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule.
• Emotionally and physically able to perform duties required of the position.
• Have a good command of the English language.
• Willingness to travel in the state to conferences or training related to this position.
• Possess general knowledge of basic computer skills.

Reports to:

Director of Early Learning and Building Principal

• Eligibility and Recruitment:
  Support the Prevention Initiative program efforts to identify and recruit the most at‑risk children in the community through screening; educate parents about the importance of early learning programs and support parents in completing enrollment; identify and develop potential partnerships with community entities with access to priority populations.
• Direct Contact with Families:
  Support families using the Baby TALK model, the Encounter Protocols, the Baby TALK curriculum, and Critical Concepts; support families in implementing Touchpoints principles; schedule home visits/personal encounters with families; home visits/personal encounters typically occur weekly or biweekly, depending on the intensity of services warranted by case management; complete the Enrollment Packet for each family according to the set timeline and submit the documentation to enroll the child in the ISBE SIS system;
  
  use the Baby TALK curriculum, specifically the Home Visiting curriculum, in conjunction with the family’s specific home visits/personal encounters needs; maintain the appropriate number in the caseload; schedule, plan, and implement regular group parent‑child interaction encounters.
• Developmental Monitoring:
  Implement and follow developmental screening procedures; gather all required documentation for monitoring a child’s development; utilize authentic assessment procedures to guide the child’s education and create an Individual Family Goal Plan; collaboratively develop home visiting plans and activities with parents; conduct Family Resource and Monitoring Assessments with parents and create Individual Family Goal Plans that guide services.
• Case Management Services:
  Collaborate with home visitors, supervisors, and instructional leaders to engage parents in high‑quality early childhood programming and ensure the program maintains a welcoming environment for them; lead development and implementation of parent education opportunities, leveraging internal resources and community partners; solicit parent input on education offerings; implement and support activities to ensure a strong connection between home and school, community resources, and transitions into other programs;
  
  engage parents in the parent advisory committee and other leadership opportunities; follow policies and procedures for referrals, transitions in and out of programs, and service collaboration; collaborate with other programs in the community to align the birth‑to‑grade‑three continuum; collaborate with mental health consultants to facilitate evaluation of children with parent consent and referrals to mental health resources as needed.
• Family and Community Partnerships:
  Monitor health and dental records; assist parents in establishing a medical and dental home for their children; coordinate parent meetings and workshops to educate parents on child health, mental health, and development; promote and support parenting skills; implement a Planned…