The AmeriCorps School Readiness Home Visitor is responsible for providing educationally based services and referral/ resources to enhance social/emotional development of families with children 0-18 years. Through the services of the AmeriCorps School Readiness Home Visitor, families will be building upon family strengths and enhancing self-sufficiency.
Service Activities
1. Provide one-on-one parenting education through home visitation.
2. Administer assessments
3. Facilitate activities/workshops where parent/child interact and communicate with parent/child in a nurturing way to model appropriate/positive parent-child interactions.
4. Educate on child and adolescent development; including age appropriate social-emotional & cognitive development.
5. Engage and connect families with local school districts.
6. Provide resources/referrals to meet parent/family needs
7. Attend community events, conduct community presentations, and establish formal/informal partnerships to educate others about Birth & Beyond services.
8. Perform case management and complete associated documentation.
Community Need Addressed
Documented high rates of child abuse & neglect are attributable to a deficit in parenting knowledge and skills combined with high stress levels that impair a parents' ability to nurture their child and keep them safe. Research indicates that abuse prevents a child's healthy cognitive, emotional, and physical development and leads to a generational cycle of violence.
Position Outcomes
Unduplicated parents who receive at least 8 hours of parent education through one-on-one home visitation and have a history of CPS will have no substantiated referrals to Child Protective Services.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance, Training
Members will receive an Education Award worth $5,920 upon completion of service. Education Award is transferable for members who are 55 years or older.
Skills you will gain
case management, time management, organizational skills, conflict management, problem solving, public speaking, facilitation
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Turn taking, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Facilitate group planning, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Evaluate customer or client satisfaction, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment