Child Care Specialist Lead

SUMMARY: 

Under the supervision of the Clinical Director, the Childcare Specialist Lead is responsible for the safety and care of children of women receiving treatment at SFRC’s residential program. The Childcare Specialist Lead provides care/supervision, oversight, and accountability for children staying with their mothers in the program. The Childcare Specialist Lead assists in preparing age-appropriate curriculum and activities; supervises children during indoor and outdoor activities and arranges and serves snacks/meals. The Childcare Specialist Lead executes work in accordance with SFRC policies and regulations. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Training and Scheduling: 

• Manages staffing and coverage of childcare staff on a daily basis. 
• Ensures new staff training. 

Administrative Duties: 

• Creates the daily program and schedules. 
• Organizes the outings with moms and children. 
• Maintains childcare inventory and places orders as needed. 
• Oversees inventory of supplies needed for childcare, supply closet, and blue shed.  
• Tracks census, anticipates new arrivals/intakes, and prepares for them. 
• Provides supplies and materials needed for the child and mother. 
• Completes child intake with the mother. 
• Maintains records relating to childcare and ensures that charting is complete in EHR Systems. 
• Ensures that all incident reports are completed.  
• Maintains ongoing communication with med techs, counselors, case managers, and providers. 

Programming: 

• Establishes weekly lesson plans. 
• Shares with moms the plans and how they support their child’s development. 
• Supports mothers with child development questions, behavioral needs, etc. 
• Provides toys and activities for moms and children for the weekends. 
• Ensures that ASQ’s (Ages & Stages Questionnaires) are completed. 
• Creates and maintains a child-friendly and safe environment.  
• Engages with the child in therapeutic activities. 
• Monitors their behavior, noting signs of stress and special needs.   
• Documents observations and communicates these observations  with staff as needed 
• Advocates for the children’s needs within the program and communicates these child needs to the appropriate staff members. 

Discharge Planning: 

• Collaborates with the case managers on child-specific discharge follow-up needs, i.e. childcare subsidy, head start, WIC, early intervention, home visiting, safe sleep, etc. 
• Connects mother to community resources for diapers, clothing, etc. 
• Completes a 30-day follow-up to see if mom has engaged with child-related services. 
• Participates in discharge meetings with appropriate agencies (CYFD, Early intervention, Home visiting, etc. 
• Other: 
• Cross-trains as a Medical Technician/Recovery Support to stand in as needed on shifts when childcare duties are not required. 
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned. 

SPECIAL SKILLS: 

• Strong understanding of stages of childhood development. 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills. 
• Able to communicate with and take direction from the staff at various levels, clients, family members, and community service providers. 
• Possess skills that promote teamwork and critical thinking/problem-solving. 
• Possess skills that promote leadership and supervision. 
• Possess decisiveness, patience, and stamina to chase after, lift, or carry children. 
• Must be able to lift packages that contain baby/children’s items. 
• Sound understanding of all federal and state regulations including HIPAA and OSHA. 
• Must be computer literate in meeting requirements for use of Electronic Health Record systems, enterprise resource planning software, and other electronic platforms. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

1. High school diploma or GED. Required. 
2. New Mexico Early Care, Education, and Family Support, 45- hours Entry Level Course or equivalent. Required. 
3. Associate’s degree in Early Child Development/Child Development. Preferred. 
4. At least one year of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified. 
5. Minimum 21 years of age. 
6. Current certificates in CPR and First Aid. 
7. Must have and maintain a current, valid NM Driver’s License. Must have and maintain a clean driving record, as well as auto insurance. 
8. Bi-lingual/Bi-cultural preferred (English/Spanish).