Texas Rising Star Quality Mentor/Inclusion Sp

Make an Impact as a Texas Rising Star Quality Mentor/Inclusion Specialist

Texas Rising Star is a voluntary quality rating and improvement system (QRIS) for Early Learning Programs participating in the Texas Workforce Commission's (TWC) subsidized child care program. Texas Rising Star provides a systemic approach to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in Early Learning Programs. By participating in TRS, Early Learning Programs engage in a process of continuous quality improvement. The Texas Rising Star (TRS) Mentor will provide practice-based coaching, personalized support, and other mentoring services to Early Learning Programs within the service area. As ChildCareGroup expands its early childhood services, the TRS Mentor will be expected to work across programs by assuming additional responsibilities commensurate with his/her knowledge, experiences, and interests. Extensive travel across the workforce delivery area is required with the expectancy of 80% travel and 20% in-office and remote work. Scheduling flexibility is required, occasional weekends and Saturdays.

Why work for ChildCareGroup?

Founded in 1901, ChildCareGroup's (CCG) mission is to champion a strong early childhood system that teaches children and parents, trains early childhood professionals, and assists families. ChildCareGroup believes that children do better as their parents do better. When families thrive, communities succeed.

ChildCareGroup offers a generous benefits package including Paid Parental Leave, (12) Company Holidays, 401(k) match, Paid Time Off, Medical, Dental, Vision and more!

You are a great fit for the role because you identify with the CCG SPIRIT, our core values:

SERVICE - Lead with a servant's heart

PROFESSIONALISM - Perform our best every day

INTEGRITY - Do what is right

RESPECT - Treat each other the way we wish to be treated

INCLUSION - Value individual differences

TEAMWORK - Communicate and collaborate to achieve our goals

Position Details

Responsibilities

TRS Mentor Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions

• Provides ongoing mentoring, thorough observations, and to:

• assist pre-star Early Learning Programs in achieving initial TRS certification; and

• support star-rated Early Learning Programs in driving sustained change, self-directed quality improvement, and the operation of high-quality programs.

• Provides Practice-Based Coaching and Technical Assistance to Early Learning Programs using data, SMART goals-setting, and Continuous Quality Improvement Plans to help make program improvements including, but not limited to: assistance understanding the TRS tool, teacher-child interaction, and participation in Professional Learning Community sessions.

• Collaborates with the Quality Initiatives Unit to support the programs' professional development needs by providing resources, recommending training, and/or developing and facilitating high-quality training.

• Acquires 36 annual hours of Texas Rising Star professional development training as mandated by Texas Workforce Commission.

• Maintains certification as a Registered Texas Trainer, ITSN Specialist, and the TECPDS SME.

• Completes all required documentation related to mentoring within required timeframes.

• Meet assigned benchmarks, timelines, and goals on a consistent basis.

• Participates in group efforts to recruit and retain programs for TRS.

• 45% of the work schedule

Inclusion Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions

• Completes intake survey with parents and childcare programs prior to placement to provide support, training, and technical support to prior to placement.

• Assists childcare program in developing action plans to support the child in the childcare setting.

• Obtains documentation from the parent/guardian outlining the disability and needs of the child as well as permission to observe the child in the childcare setting.

• Reviews documentation to determine if additional adult assistance is needed while in childcare, or if specific adaptive equipment is needed to meet the needs of the child.

• Conducts classroom observations to assist in developing action plans as well as determine needs for equipment or support materials.

• Conducts ongoing visits for children in programs that are being reimbursed at the higher inclusion rate to ensure additional adult assistance is provided or adaptive equipment is available and utilized.

• May participate in annual planning meetings for developing individualized plans for the child. Documents all visits to childcare programs and contacts with parents.

• Utilizes workflow system for documentation and document storage; also maintains physical files for confidential information.

• Provides technical assistance to early childhood programs on complying with the terms of the CCA Memorandum of Understanding, Texas Rising Star criteria, developmentally appropriate practices, and Americans with Disabilities Act.

• Refers families and childcare programs to resources for services in the community as needed.

• Provides onsite and virtual technical assistance to classroom teachers to help implement action plans, classroom management, and appropriate inclusive activities.

• May request purchase of and track use of adaptive equipment or other materials to support the child in the childcare setting.

• Provides resource information and connects childcare programs to training to support program staff.

• Delivers training for small or large groups as a part of ongoing quality initiatives activities.

• May provide training to parents, childcare directors, and staff on children with disabilities and technical assistance on equipment and materials.

• Services may be provided both in person and virtually.

• Completes weekly and monthly activity reports and provides other data for reporting purposes as requested.

• Attends regularly scheduled events and meetings with ChildCareGroup staff and community partners as required.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

• 55% of the work schedule

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in early childhood education, child development, special education, child psychology, educational psychology, elementary education, or family consumer science; or

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with at least 18 credit hours in early childhood education, child development, special education, child psychology, educational psychology, elementary education, or family consumer science with at least 12 credit hours in child development.

• Minimum of 3 years employment experience in childcare/early childhood setting preferred; includes 1 year of full-time early childhood classroom experience in a childcare, Early Head Start, or PreK through third grade school program.

• Experience using assessment tools CLI Engage and Texas Rising Star preferred.

• Knowledge of learning styles, how to identify learning styles, strengths, needs, and goals.

• Knowledge of Conscious Discipline or other behavioral guidance techniques preferred.

• Knowledge of curricula implementation, i.e., Frog Street Press, The Creative Curriculum, Big Day, or HighScope preferred.

• Knowledge of Texas Early Childhood Professional Development System (TECPDS) preferred.

• Knowledge of Texas Childcare licensing regulations preferred.

• Experience with and ability to communicate using technology and virtual platforms including Outlook, PowerPoint, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc. Skills testing may be required.

• Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with coworkers, and community partners.

• Demonstrates effective public speaking skills with ability to contribute to recruiting and retention efforts for TRS.

• Demonstrates exceptional oral, written, active listening, and interpersonal communication skills. Skills testing may be required.

• Possesses efficient organizational and time management skills with ability to manage multiple projects and tasks simultaneously within required timeframes.

• Ability to analyze problems and identify appropriate solutions successfully.

• Ability to commit to upholding ChildCareGroup's mission, vision, and core values.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality consistently - Internal information, TWC information, and WFS communications are prohibited unless release is authorized. Early Learning Program plans are highly confidential and should not be shared with other programs or outside entities.

Equipment

• Computer, telephone headset, fax, scanner and all office equipment and general office equipment

Travel and Compliance

• Must have a valid Texas driver's license if applicable

• Driving record must comply with CCG's automobile insurance carrier requirements

• Must have liability insurance coverage and reliable personal transportation

• Ability to travel locally or out of town as required

• Mileage reimbursement is offered when applicable

• Must successfully meet all compliance background check requirements for federal funding throughout employment

Physical Demands

• Work requires normal physical effort with minimal lifting requirements of items weighing 25 pounds or less

• Visual attention

• Manual dexterity/coordination

ChildCareGroup is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.