Child Development Specialist

REQUIRED: A BIG HEART AND A DESIRE TO HELP CHILDREN

At New Horizons, we are looking for people with big hearts and those ready to change a child’s life for the better. Whether you are just beginning your career or are experienced in the field of helping children, we need you.

Our team strives to keep kids first when making decisions and are the reason that children and families succeed.

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New Horizons pays health insurance premiums for all full-time employees. Coverage begins on the 1st of the month following 60 days of employment.

Currently, New Horizons offers a significant match to employees with 2 or more years of service.

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You can choose to add Dental, Vision, Long or Short-Term Disability, Cancer Policy, and other policies fit for your needs.

After 2 years of employment, New Horizons provides you with $500 annually in a flexible spending account.

All employees start accruing time off upon the first day of employment.

New Horizons provides family trips to employees at 5th Work Anniversary, 10th Work Anniversary, and on.

Position:Direct Care Staff

Location: Santa Ana, TX

Job :250

# of Openings:1

The Direct Care Staff plays a critical role in supporting the emotional, social, and cognitive development of children living in a residential treatment environment. Working directly with children who have experienced trauma, abuse, neglect, or behavioral health challenges, this position provides structured, nurturing, and therapeutic care to promote healing and resilience. The Direct Care Staff is expected to develop a thorough knowledge of the New Horizons’ Philosophy of Keeping Kids First and its Treatment Model.

Keeping Kids First requires that every decision and action be motivated by and geared toward meeting the highest need of the individual kid. New Horizons will not tolerate anyone who is not committed to keeping kids safe from abuse, neglect and exploitation.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe, supportive, and structured environment that prioritizes the physical and emotional well-being of each child.
• Ensure continuous and appropriate supervision of assigned children based on individual needs, risk factors, age, and developmental level.
• Intervene promptly and appropriately to prevent or de‑escalate unsafe behaviors and maintain a therapeutic environment.
• Always maintain auditory and/or visual awareness of children’s ongoing activities, including one‑on‑one or line‑of‑sight supervision for high‑risk individuals.
• Implement individualized developmental and behavioral strategies in collaboration with the treatment team.
• Provide structured routines and flexible, developmentally appropriate activities that foster independence, skill‑building, and emotional regulation.
• Cultivate strong, nurturing relationships through consistent, positive reinforcement and active listening.
• Assist children with personal care and hygiene needs while promoting self‑care skills.
• Actively participate in treatment planning and team meetings, offering observations and input regarding child behavior, progress, and needs.
• Ensure continuity of care during shift changes through detailed verbal and written communication with colleague's assist children in navigating phone calls, visits, and other interpersonal interactions with family members or service providers.
• Support children in attending appointments, meetings, and court‑related events as needed.
• Complete daily progress notes for each assigned child, reflecting behavior, achievements, incidents, and interventions used.
• Maintain accurate records related to medication administration, hygiene, activities, and other care‑related documentation.
• Update internal logs and…