Lead Head Start Home Visitor

Description

WHO WE ARE

Volunteers of America Colorado is a nonprofit, faith-based organization dedicated to helping those in-need transform their lives. Through more than 50 distinct human service programs, Volunteers of America changes the lives of more than 140,000 vulnerable Coloradoans each year. VOA services include housing and emergency shelters, hunger and nutrition services, and many other community support programs. Our work touches the mind, body, heart and ultimately the spirit of those we serve. VOA integrates compassion with highly effective programs that build and strengthen communities.

WHY VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA Volunteers of America Colorado believes unique challenges require unique and thoughtful solutions. VOA creates specialized programs to meet the critical needs of the communities we serve—our programs across Colorado look different because each community is distinct. Volunteers of America recognizes the senior who needs assistance with her grocery shopping in Fort Collins, and the student in Aurora who has never been to summer camp. We support Denver’s homeless veterans who have been underserved, and prepare preschoolers challenged by poverty to be successful in elementary school and beyond. Wherever we go we engage faith, relationship-building, and volunteers to lift-up and support Colorado’s most vulnerable citizens.

**The Lead Head Start Home Visitor is responsible for working closely with the Director of Children’s Programs, the Center Manager, and the Education and Disabilities Manager to ensure program compliance with Head Start Performance Standards. The Lead Head Start Home Visitor provides direct supervision and oversight of the recruitment and enrollment process, program implementation for Home Based Programming, and all community collaboration efforts in collaboration with the Lead Family Community Advocate. The Lead Head Start Home Visitor provides continuous, comprehensive child development and family support services to children ages 0-5, their families, and expectant mothers. The Lead Head Start Home Visitor conducts community outreach efforts to recruit and enroll eligible children and families. Using a case management approach, the Lead Home Visitor assesses families’ strengths and barriers and links families to services within VOAC and the community. The Lead Home Visitor empowers parents to recognize they are their child’s first and best teacher and encourages them to participate in leadership roles within the VOAC Early Childhood Education Center and the Denver Great Kids Head Start network. This position will also work alongside parents to facilitate parent training and events and encourage parents to volunteer in center activities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

· Ensures that the participant’s voice is heard and incorporated in programming.

· Facilitates Home Based Program in alignment with Head Start Rules and regulations.

· Responsible for outreach and recruitment, with the Family Community Advocate Team to ensure both home based and center enrollments of eligible children, assist parents in meeting enrollment criteria and maintain a prioritized wait list for interested families.

· Collaborates with the education coordinator, teaching team, Family Community Advocate Team, and community partners to design and implement activities to increase parent involvement in program activities, community activities, and family literacy activities.

· Develops rapport with families through ongoing communications, home visits, phone calls, and referrals.

· Utilizes Child Plus database for the tracking of enrollment, attendance, recruitment, referrals, in-kind services and actions the family services team take to support families.

· Develop individualized, flexible, accessible, and responsive choices for each family’s unique strengths and needs and assists families to define and set attainable goals.

· Attends orientations, trainings, education programs, staff meetings, community meetings, conferences, and workshops to meet the needs of the position.

· Acts as an advocate for families when needed to assist in navigating social services systems to meet their needs.

· Organizes client’s files and ensures required documentation is up-to-date, and in compliance with Head Start and Licensing requirements.

· Performs all duties in a professional manner, adhering to the NASW Social Work Code of Ethics, NAEYC code of ethics and maintaining confidentiality of all information.

· Performs all other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

Working conditions are generally inside the building. Frequent sitting, standing, walking, and bending. Occasional lifting or pushing, up to 50 lbs. Occasional work outside, on a playgro