AmeriCorps Parent Educator shall serve as the family’s primary contact within the First 5 Service Corps program. The Parent Educator will provide information and assistance to walk-in and call-in families. The Parent Educator will provide education and outreach strategies to promote optimal childhood development and encourage Family Resource Center access. Parent Educator will work with families in a playgroup setting 2-4 times per week modeling learning activities and communication for parents to facilitate school readiness activities and promoting positive parent-child interaction.
Service Activities
• Deliver or assist in the delivery of parenting workshops, including planning, coordinating and administering appropriate assessments to parents of children 0-5 years old.
• Assist in planning parent support groups, activities, and special events.
• Model nurturing attitudes and behaviors in all contacts with program participants and teammates.
• Link parents to community resources based on family need.
• Advocate for and act as a liaison for families with existing community services and agencies, which may include routine translation and interpretation.
• Work with families to empower them to engage in problem solving..
• Model good parenting behavior, provide support, education/information/referrals, and provides parents with age appropriate parenting and positive discipline techniques.
Community Need Addressed
Research indicates a child’s early development of social emotional, literacy and numeracy skills are critical for school success. Economically disadvantaged children and/or children with exceptional needs, such as English language learners are most at-risk for academic failure as they lack access to quality early childhood education programs with linguistically appropriate instruction. Many low-income or non-English speaking parents lack the knowledge/resources needed to play a critical role in their child’s school success.
Position Outcomes
Parents of economically disadvantaged children who complete 5 hours of family literacy training on book sharing with their child will demonstrate improved family literacy behaviors
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance, Training
Skills you will gain
Service Site Orientation 80 or more hours; Connection to National Service, Training Community Engagement; Child Development; Assessment Training; Mandated Child Abuse Reporting; Site Specific site specific (related to member position) trainings; supervision/coaching; & PC CA webinars
National Service Days: Make A Difference Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Cesar Chavez Day and AmeriCorps Week
Other trainings delivered throughout the year include: Social-Emotional and Cognitive development; Family Literacy Fundamentals; GOLD Curriculum & Activity Development Training; Leadership Active Citizens; Life after AmeriCorps; Cultural Awareness; Conflict Resolution.
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
Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines, Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Create environment of contribution, 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