Early Steps Specialist

Summary

This position will provide Early Childhood Education & Development Services through home visitation utilizing the Parents as Teachers model. Under the direction of the Tribal Administration, the Cocopah Early Steps Specialist will work collaboratively with the First Things First Cocopah Tribe Regional Partnership Council; Tribal departments, and community resources to ensure the individualized needs of the Cocopah Tribal families. In addition, this position provides oversight for the day to day operations of the program.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Conducts regular in-home visitations of expectant families, families with infants or with young children, geared towards understanding child development and parenting practices, promoting strong family relationships, learning the importance of play and building a solid foundation for school success. Resources and information will be provided to build the caregivers capacity as the child’s first and most influential teacher and means for early detection and treatment of developmental delays and/or health issues. 

Works with Tribal families to develop goals and prepare age-appropriate lesson planning, activities to support growth.

Responsible for outreach, recruitment and enrollment of families into the program.

Responsible for documentation, data collection and grant reporting.

Maintains family file and documentation to include but not limited to monthly reporting, quarterly reporting and ensure that all aspects of grant agreement are maintained.

Responsible for collaborating with Indian Health Services, Yuma Regional Medical Center, Tribal Departments, and other services to help families’ access appropriate tribal and community resources.

The Specialist is responsible for guiding parents in using a developmental checklist (i.e. Ages & Stages) and in voicing their concerns and advocating for their children, which includes referrals when a developmental delay is recognized.

Will conduct monthly group meetings for all parents participating in the program, which provides an opportunity for families to meet and share issues and ideas concerning parenting in their community.

Will identify in-home caregivers of young children (birth to age 5) in the regional area to establish an understanding of the program and provide support and assistance.

Responsible for creating carefully planned, developmentally appropriate programs specific to each caregiver, in an effort to provide information and referrals to community agencies that could respond to the caregiver’s and children’s needs.

Responsible for enrolling Tribal pregnant women in the program and refer them to prenatal care services.

Coordinates and responsible of maintaining biweekly home visits with families enrolled in the program.

Promotes breast feeding and primary health care for children.

Assists Tribal members and their families to access other applicable Tribal community and public services, including employment services, continuing educational institutions and governmental agencies, to provide program and referral services.

Organizes monthly group connections, health & education activities.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Qualifications

Required Bachelor’s Degree in early childhood development, education, family studies, social work, nursing or a close related field. Combination of education and experience may be considered.

Experience working with culturally and linguistically diverse populations, prefer experience providing home visitation.

Ability to maintain effective relationships with families.

Must possess background knowledge in prenatal health care procedures, early childhood health care needs and procedures and health care systems.

CPR/ First Aid training certified required.

Must have current health card.

Must possess knowledge of computer skills including Word/Excel.

Must have a valid Arizona Driver’s license and insurance.

Must meet requirements to operate a GSA vehicle.

Ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Maintain program confidentiality requirements.

Must be eligible for and able to obtain a Class 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card.

Must be able to work a flexible schedule.

Must be willing to travel out of town for training if needed.

Office and client home based work with frequent sitting, standing, writing and computer usage.

This position includes the handling of materials for families that could include lifting and managing boxes as heavy as 40 pounds.

Testing may be required.

Education and/or Experience

Great Fringe Benefits !!

(Full-time Positions)

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life/AD&D Insurance, Employee Assistance Program,

401K Plan with Employer Match, Ancillary Benefits (AFLAC, VTL)

 NATIVE AMERICAN AND CURRENT EMPLOYEE EMPLOYMENT PREFERENCE POLICIES ARE APPLICABLE TO ALL POSITIONS. MUST BE ABLE TO PASS PRE-EMPLOYMENT AND ON-GOING RANDOM DRUG/ALCOHOL TESTS.

The opening and closings of these positions are subject to change upon the need of each department. For more information please contact Cocopah Human Resources at 928-627-2102.