Experience Inc. Jobs

The Rural Alaska Community Action Program, Inc., (RurAL CAP), founded in 1965, is a private, statewide, nonprofit organization working to improve the quality of life for low-income Alaskans.We represent every region of the state as one of the largest and most diverse nonprofit organizations in Alaska.We value input from and have respect for all people. We believe that Alaskans have the right to maintain their cultural heritage and close relationship to the land while protecting their economic and human potential.Our programs in early education, housing, and health and well-being serve to alleviate the root causes of poverty. We deliver innovative, community-driven solutions in response to Alaskas most challenging needs while supporting vulnerable individuals and communities statewide.

JOB SUMMARY:Responsible for ensuring all Education, Disabilities and Coaching related tasks for the Early Head Start program, serving children 0 to 3 years of age are carried out. Design and monitor systems to assure compliance with all Child Development related Head Start Program Performance Standards, Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and other applicable federal and state regulations. Provide child development leadership, coaching, training and technical assistance to staff and parents.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Coordinates with all content areas, and in conjunction with other Leads: writes, revises and implements education, disabilities and coaching related policies and procedures and the related Early Head Start Education/Disabilities/Coach Lead Manual in order to ensure effective quality service delivery in which Head Start Program Performance Standards and all other relevant federal and state regulations are met.
2. Obtain and maintain acute knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards specifically those pertaining to the Education and Disabilities component areas and Home Visiting requirements.
3. Provides high quality Coaching,mentoring and training to home visitor staff to ensure high quality home visit practices are occurring in accordance with the Curriculum Model and the Head Start Program Performance Standards.
4. Provides or arranges for requested or necessary Education and Disabilities related training and technical assistance to site staff and Early Head Start parents.
5. Establishes a supportive relationship with site staff that results in increased skills and outcomes for children and families
6. Advocates for responsive, timely, and effective quality services for children and their families.
7. Takes a proactive, solution-oriented perspective to problem solve any challenges that may arise within the component team or at the site level.
8. Reviews, analyze and acts on/bases decisions upon reports and appropriate data to ensure child, staff, team and site goals are being met or progress is moving in a positive direction.
9. Under the direction of the EHS Home Visiting Operations Manager and the Head Start Services Manager-Education and Disabilities, works as a member of the EHS team to directly support site staff in the provision of high quality, family-friendly and community/culturally appropriate Early Head Start services to children and families.
10. Establishes and maintains partnerships with applicable agencies such as school districts and early intervention programs. Establishes written agreements when applicable and meets progress and renewal deadlines.
11. Assists staff with referrals to agencies, and monitors referrals to ensure children are assessed in a timely manner by appropriate providers.
12. Promptly submits required reports and information necessary for monthly, quarterly, and annual reports, and other reports as requested.
13. Actively participates in regular staff meetings, supervisory meetings, and all required training.
14. Continually seeks out ways to further their own professional development in ways that will increase th quality services they are able to provide to sites.
15. Takes initiative to join workgroups and attend meetings with outside organizations that are working towards the same common goals.
16. When faced with challenges, seeks out guidance from policies and procedures, the Head Start Program Performance Standards, and other resources such as ECLKC and My Peers.
17. Assists in preparing the budget and securing the resources and materials for all children and families to be successful.
18. Supports and encourages cultural diversity and values the diversity of all peoples.
19. Ensures that the specified curriculum, observations, screenings and assessments, individual child plans and parent input are being used to Individualize for children.
20. Ensures that home visit lesson plans and group social plans reflect childrens developmental levels, culture, and uniqueness.
21. Collaborates with staff to monitor childrens progress and decides on referrals and services. Then tracks and monitors all potentially delayed developmental screenings and referrals and services using the ChildPlus database.
22. Works with Early Head Start Home Visitors to develop education goals for children to improve child outcomes.
23. Tracks screening completion and follow up for all children within 45 days of their entry into the EHS program.
24. Observes home visits and provides feedback to teachers using the specified EHS Observation Tool.
25. Monitors and provides feedback to Home Visitors on the Teaching Strategies Gold quarterly Assessment.
26. Advocates that children who are identified with a disability to ensure they receive high quality and adequate quantity of services as outlined in their individual plans.
27. Assists in developing and implementing transition plans for children with disabilities who are entering or leaving Head Start programs or moving from one program to another.
28. Provides or arranges for disability training and technical assistance for staff and parents. Ensures that staff have the basic knowledge necessary to support children with special needs and/or disabilities; responds to requests for training for specific children and disabilities/special needs.
29. Collaborates in leading the Health Services Advisory Committee, soliciting advice, and advocating for effective quality services for children and families.
30. Performs other duties as assigned.

WORK ACTIVITIES:

1. Develops and maintains constructive and cooperative working relationships with organizations, agencies and families which support the goals of the Early Childhood Education programs.
2. Instructs, coaches, mentors, or otherwise helps others to improve their knowledge or skills.
3. Develops specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish work.
4. Performs day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining files and processing information and paperwork and uses computers and computer systems effectively to enter data, create spreadsheets and to develop documents, program, and training materials and power-point presentations.
5. Communicates with supervisors, co-workers, site staff and people outside the organization in a professional manner, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
6. Analyzes and evaluates information to choose the best solution and solve problems; and to develop, design or create new ideas, systems, or products.
7. Uses relevant information and individual judgement to determine whether events or processes comply with current program standards, laws, or regulations.
8. Keeps program staff updated on any changes in early childhood education, disabilities and coaching.

COMPETENCIES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: