Early Childhood Specialist- Middlesex County

Description

Position Summary:

The Early Childhood Specialist performs a variety of duties both clerical and administrative in nature. The Specialist will work with local partners and families with developmental concerns and/or child welfare involvement, in the respective County, to ensure positive service linkages that improve outcomes for vulnerable families of infants and young children with a focus on birth to three years.

Disclaimer:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties and responsibilities that are required by the employee.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

System Collaboration – Works closely with Early Childhood Systems of Care program in order to help link families to the most appropriate (based on need and eligibility) and available services including local county-level Central Intake, Home Visiting, Early Head Start/Head Start, Early Intervention, Family Success Centers, Health care providers, and resources to include the voice and input of parents/families as partners (County Councils for Young Children, Family Support Organizations, and more).

• Developmental Health Promotion – Provide developmental guidance and promote developmental screening (Ages and Stages Questionnaire) for families. As needed, refer families to Early Intervention.
• Oversight and Technical Support – Strengthen and align the local-level infrastructure to ensure coordination and collaboration in delivering effective community-based services for the infants, children, parents, and families identified through intake. Work collaboratively across CP&P and county-level Central Intake, and with community systems partners (including parents/families).
• Reporting and Data Collection, CQI and Evaluation – Submit monthly/quarterly progress reports addressing process and outcome indicators that will help determine strengths and areas needing improvement, participate in DCF quality improvement and evaluation activities.
• Processes referrals with emphasis on early childhood developmental concerns (birth – 5) in Mercer County.
• Establishes referral and information sharing agreements, reporting activities of central intake to local partners.
• Markets developmental health promotion and the Family Portal to physicians and community providers throughout Mercer County in collaboration with Connecting NJ Specialists.

Working Conditions:

There are no unusual work conditions associated with this position. Noise level in the office is moderate. Professional/business attire is required. Employees are required to attend meetings at external locations and will therefore experience external weather conditions.

Requirements

Education: Master’s degree preferred in social work, counseling, child development and family studies, child advocacy or similar from accredited college or university. Or Bachelor’s degree required in social work, counseling, child development and family studies, child advocacy from accredited college or university, plus at least (2) years of experience working in the field with families and providers. Infant Mental Health Endorsed (IMH-E) or pursuing preferred.

Experience: At least two (2) years of experience in maternal-child health (MCH), infant/early childhood mental health, parent/family support, and/or related fields and settings. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to develop trusting relationships with families and partners. Fully understands the roles of core MCH and early childhood partners. Ability to translate complex MCH and early childhood concepts into parent-friendly language. Experience with Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities and evaluation strongly preferred.

Computer proficiency required with Microsoft programs, bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred, trong interpersonal, public speaking and written communication skills required.

Valid Driver’s license with the ability to provide proof of ongoing automobile insurance coverage is required. This position will entail reimbursable local and statewide travel utilizing personal vehicle.

Physical Requirements:

Employees are required to occasionally lift up to twenty pounds of materials or equipment.