Child Development Specialist

SGA provides a wide range of social services in some of Chicago's most challenged and consistently underserved communities and creates long-term and community-wide change. 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.

The Family Child Care Home (FCCH) program partners with local licensed home-based childcare providers and implements monitoring, training, technical assistance, and support to Early Head Start-funded children in their programs ages 0 to 3 years old. 

The Child Development Specialist supports family childcare providers by ensuring that qualified staff are in place, and they have ongoing training and professional development to support staff in fulfilling their roles and responsibilities. 

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for providing support to EHS FCCH providers in the areas of education and disabilities
• Responsible for collaborating with the staff to ensure that the family childcare centers meet and or exceeds all standards set forth by The Office of Head Start (OHS), the Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS), The Illinois Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS), and SGA Youth and Family 
• Ensures full implementation of the Curriculum and Teaching Strategies GOLD Assessments, and system data
• Child Development Specialist must have a comprehensive understanding of the Curriculum and the ability to provide technical assistance and support in enhancing the curriculum as needed to meet children's developmental needs
• Responsible for conducting quarterly monitoring of the education and disabilities services areas
• Responsible for conducting no less than 2 monthly observations of EHS providers and providing feedback relating to developmentally appropriate practices for infants and toddlers, curriculum implementation, and teacher-child interactions.
• Monitor provider credentials and oversee the ongoing professional development of teachers and teacher assistants.
• Monitor and ensure proper documentation for children's education files, and ASQ assessment and screening of each child enrolled is completed 
• Monitor the progress of children with identified special needs and adjust plans (Interim intervention plans, behavior support plans, IEP and IFSP implementation plans, etc) as necessary to achieve positive gains.
• Document in CSD CARES data as required by the program.
• Support the program coordinator in providing the necessary reports to the funder of the program.
• Assist in organizing and facilitating monthly meetings with the FCCH Providers and PPC members.
• Participates in ongoing training and staff development provided by DFSS, EHS, and SGA workshops and conferences.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Early Childhood, or related field.
• Minimum Gateways credential level 5 in ECE, IT, or Family Specialist 

Experience:

• 3-5 years working with children ages 0-5 required
• EHS/HS policies and procedures knowledge
• Center-based / Home Day Care experience  
• Must have a reliable car for transportation, a valid driver's license, and automobile insurance.
• Candidates must pass the required state and company background check

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Bilingual English/Spanish required
• Knowledge and understanding of the Head Start Program Performance Standards and Illinois 
• Licensing Standards for Day Care Homes

Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time; this description reflects management's assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. This job description is subject to change at any time.

  An Equal Opportunity Employer