Parent Educator

NORTHERN OKLAHOMA YOUTH SERVICES CENTER & SHELTER, INC.

THE FAMILY RESOURCE PROGRAM

Parents as Teachers Parent Educator JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Summary:

A certified parent educator implements the PAT model, emphasizing parent-child interaction, development-centered parenting and family well-being in their work with families. Utilizing the PAT Foundational Curriculum in culturally sensitive ways, the parent educator partners, facilitates and reflects with families.

Qualifications:

• The minimum qualifications for parent educators are a high school diploma or equivalency and two years previous supervised work experience with young children and/or parents. Bachelor or four-year degree in early childhood education, social work, health, psychology or a related field is preferred, though a two-year degree or 60 college hours in early childhood or a related field is acceptable. Completion of PARENTS AS TEACHERS Foundational 1 and Foundational 2 training, initial training, and continuing education at Oklahoma State Department of Health standards are required. Employees must have access to reliable transportation, maintain vehicle insurance verification according to state law, and possess a current Oklahoma driver's license. One must be willing to travel within the program's service area of Kay, Noble, Osage, and Pawnee Counties, Oklahoma. The employee must be able to pass the FBl/OSBI background check and be eligible to work in the United States.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills (e.g., nonjudgmental, objective, reflective, empathic, patient, tactful).

• Ability to establish rapport with families and empower them by building on their strengths.

• Strong organizational and record keeping skills.

• Ability to work independently and be self-motivated (often in the field).

• Computer skills; including web browsing, e-mail, Internet, and word-processing.

Essential Functions:

• Engage in recruitment activities and community collaborative initiatives.

• Complete an initial and annual family-centered assessment with each family.

• Develop, monitor and review goals with each family.

• Plan, provide and document personal visits focused on parent-child interaction, development-centered parenting and family well-being.

• Use the PAT Foundational curriculum with model fidelity to share research based information with families.

• Provide group connections to give families an opportunity to build social connections with each other, engage in parent-child interaction activities, and increase their knowledge of ways to support children's development.

• Complete at least an initial and annual developmental screening and health review for each enrolled child.

• Connect families to resources that help them reach their goals and address their needs.

• Help parents and children transition to other services as needed, to preschool, or to kindergarten.

• Maintain and submit in a timely way all required family and program documentation.

• Organize and inventory supplies/materials, etc.

• Participate in at least 2 hours of reflective supervision monthly and at least 2 hours of staff meetings monthly.

• Obtain competency-based professional development and renew parent educator certification annually.

• Participate in continuous quality improvement.