Early Childhood Health Specialist

OVERVIEW:

SGA’s mission is to help children, families, and communities facing great challenges to realize their potential. SGA uses a proven and innovative method called the Cycle of Opportunity. This system is a continuum of comprehensive services that helps break the cycle of adversity and provides families with enough opportunity to change their lives and their communities.

SGA’s Early Head Start Home-based program serves children 0-3 years within the city of Chicago through weekly home visits engaging both the caregiver and the child. Additionally, families participate in bi-monthly group socializations, parent training, governance, and field trips. As part of the research-based Head Start program, all children and their families receive wraparound services to ensure the healthy development and success of the child. The Health & Mental Health Specialist is responsible for monitoring all of the health physicals, hearing and vision screenings, developmental screenings, individual health plans, and follow-up care for the children in the program.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Data entry & Reporting

• Responsible for reporting, data entry, and monitoring of child health, immunization, dental, hearing and vision screenings.
• Responsible for data entry associated with the mental health interventions completed by the mental health consultant.
• Responsible for all health, mental health, and nutrition reporting to agency and grantor.
• Ensures accuracy of all health, nutrition, and mental health data entered in Child Plus for the annual Program Information Report (PIR)

Monitoring

• Tracks and monitors the 30/45/90-day health events required for enrolled children.
• Tracks and informs Home Visitors and parents when required physicals, immunization records, dental and hearing and vision re-screens are due.
• In cooperation with the Home Visitors, ensures all hearing and vision screenings are complete within the child’s first 45 days in the program, and ensures re-screens are completed according to the grantor's timeline.
• Acts as liaison between the Nurse, Mental Health, and Nutrition Consultants, and Home Visitors.
• Collaborates with Nutrition Consultant to ensure the nutritional needs of children and families are met.
• Coordinates with Nurse Consultant to ensure children are current with all health requirements.
• Collaborates with Home Visitors to ensure healthy snacks are served at socialization and home visits.
• Monitors medication logs for each socialization group.

Community Partnerships and Training

• Follows up with hospitals and clinics as needed to support caregivers in obtaining health documentation.
• Support families to secure primary health providers for medical and dental needs.
• Coordinates and facilitates biannual Health Safety Advisory Committee meetings.
• Coordinates training and information related to health, mental health, oral health, and nutrition for Home Visitors, families, and pregnant women.
• Seeks, maintains, and renews community partnerships with local health, mental health, dental, and nutritional providers to support the needs of children and families.

Administration

• Participates in internal staffing around health and mental health content areas when necessary.
• Assists Home Visitors with completion of referrals to the Mental Health Consultant.
• Participates in all required trainings and meetings at the grantor or the agency.
• Attends recruitment events to recruit eligible children and families.
• Attends biannual focus groups.
• Attends monthly Parent Policy Committee (PPC) meetings and gives health, nutrition, and mental health reports/updates.
• In cooperation with the program coordinator, participates in annual self-assessment and community assessment.
• In cooperation with the Program Coordinator, complete monthly inspections of the First Aid kits to guarantee they are always stocked.
• Ensures that hearing and vision machines are calibrated annually and ensures that props are always stocked.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION:

• BA, advanced degree or credential or certification in Social Work, Family Services, Human Services, Counseling, or in a related field; or expected completion within 12 months of hire.

EXPERIENCE:

• 1-3 years experience working with families is required.
• Work within a Head Start Program and/or work with families regarding health, nutrition, or mental health for infants and toddlers.

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Sensitivity to cultural diversity is required. Ability to communicate and cooperate with diverse families, various professionals, and community groups.
• Bilingual in English-Spanish preferred
• Must be able to make home visits when necessary.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees or the organization.
• Exercises discretion and independent judgment in executing tasks.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Head Start Program Performance Standards of health, nutrition, and mental health.
• Must demonstrate the ability to establish helping relationships with families of varying educational, experiential, and socio-economic backgrounds and handle emergencies and crises.
• Competent in Microsoft Office tools and inputting services in an online database.
• The schedule may be flexible and may include some evenings and weekends.
• Valid Driver’s License and Automobile Insurance.
• Reliable transportation.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to remain stationary 50% of the time
• Must be able to frequently move inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Must be able to transport oneself to and from home visits
• Occasionally ascends/descends stairs
• Constantly position oneself to assist children during activities.
• Frequently moves desks, chairs, tables, easels, and children's toys.
• At times may be required to lift and carry up to 25 lbs. for various events
• Frequently moves in outdoor weather conditions