Service Coordinator/Early Childhood Initiativ

AKRON METROPOLITAN HOUSING AUTHORITY

TWO TO THREE OPENINGS

Job Title: Service Coordinator - Early Childhood Initiative

Reports to: Educational Initiatives Supervisor

Department: Resident Services

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

General Purpose:

To prepare children for kindergarten by empowering parents to be their child's first and most important teacher. Works toward the following program goals: Increase parent knowledge and improve parenting practices; Provide early detection of developmental delays and health issues; Connect families to resources that help them reach their goals and address their needs; Decrease prevalence of maternal depression.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.

• Provides outreach to families with children birth to age 5 that receive housing subsidies or live in targeted Akron neighborhoods, and schedules in-home meetings designed to educate them about the importance of early childhood learning and development, adhering to the essential requirements of the Parents as Teachers model.
• Complete required screenings with children and families, including health, developmental and social-emotional screenings with children enrolled in the program.
• Secures and evaluates information concerning medical, psychological, and social factors to assure basic needs are met and address barriers to residents obtaining self-sufficiency. Connect families to early childhood, health, and family support programs and services and assists families with enrollment.
• Develops goals with families, and aids residents in mobilizing their inner capabilities and external resources to improve social functioning.
• Responsible for accuracy and consistency of data entry and case notes in Tracking At-A-Glance (TAAG) regarding new and existing clients; enters information into TAAG and other databases and spreadsheets as appropriate for various grants and reports as required by program. Reports any issues or inconsistencies and offers feedback to Educational Initiatives Coordinator as needed.
• Networks and forms relationships with other housing professionals and service providers in order to keep abreast of services and assistance available to residents. Ensures that others within AMHA are made aware of services and assistance options available to residents.
• Partners and coordinates with local community agencies, community service organizations, and businesses to coordinate events and programs for the residents. Works with local school districts to assure continued understanding of programs and services offered.
• Prepares correspondence, technical and status reports, etc. to keep management informed of the progress of family services.
• Assists in evaluating AMHA's Early Childhood Initiative and makes recommendations for improvements.
• Obtain competency-based professional development and training and renew Parents as Teachers certification annually.
• Promotes, prepares for and attends maternal depression support groups and/or Story Times that occur at assigned site, filling in as needed/requested at other sites.
• Promotes, prepares for and attends Family Outreach Events that occur at assigned site, assisting as needed or requested at additional sites.
• Represents AMHA at community functions, community collaborations, annual meetings, inter-agency workshops, etc. Represents AMHA in a professional and courteous manner at all times.
• Communicates and collaborates with Early Childhood Initiative and Resident Services team members.
• Communicates problems to respective Property Managers and/or to Resident Services Management to modify service offerings or address global issues.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Behavioral Competencies: This position requires incumbents to exhibit the following behavioral skills:

Commitment: Sets high standards of performance; pursues aggressive goals and works hard/smart to achieve them; strives for results and success; conveys a sense of urgency and brings issues to closure; persists despite obstacles and opposition.

Customer Service: Meets/exceeds the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; identifies, understands, monitors and measures the needs of both internal and external customers; talks and acts with customers in mind. Recognizes working colleagues as customers.

Effective Communication: Ensures important information is passed to those who need to know; conveys necessary information clearly and effectively orally or in writing. Demonstrates attention to, and conveys understanding of, the comments and questions of others; listens effectively.

Responsiveness and Accountability: Demonstrates a high level of conscientiousness; holds oneself personally responsible for one's own work; does fair share of work.

Job Competencies:

• Knowledge of policies, procedures, goals, objectives, operational entities, requirements, and activities as they apply to the assigned organizational entity in the AMHA
• Knowledge of the applicable HUD rules and regulations as they pertain to public housing
• Ability to exercise initiative, use sound judgment in analyzing situations, and make decisions in a timely manner
• Ability to present information, both orally and through writing, effectively and in a clear, concise, and convincing manner
• Knowledge of program activities and participation in planning, and coordination of activities
• Ability to develop relationships with agencies, schools, businesses, and other local organizations to expand the program through community partnerships
• Knowledge of general landlord/tenant and fair housing laws
• Knowledge of child development and resources available through community agencies
• Knowledge of the needs and attitudes of the physically, socially, and economically disadvantaged, including the youth and elderly population, and ability to communicate with individuals of varying social, educational, and economic backgrounds
• Ability to maintain tact and professionalism in crisis management situations
• Ability to understand and practice the rules of confidentiality
• Proficient mathematical and statistical skills and ability to understand and interpret data reports and tracking
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, tenants, officials, and the general public

Education, Experience and Certifications:

Bachelor's degree in social/human services, education or related field. Early childhood home visitation experience and familiarity with community early childhood programs and services preferred. Certification in Parents as Teachers preferred but not required. Must possess a valid Ohio driver's license and be insurable under AMHA's policies.

Computer Skills:

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have strong computer skills and become proficient in TAAG and Microsoft Office applications. Familiarity with Tenmast is desirable. Must be able to learn other computer software programs as required by assigned tasks.

Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to maintain a stationary position, operate computers and other office equipment, move about the office, attend onsite and offsite meetings, and communicate. The employee must be able to accurately exchange information in person, in writing and via e-mail and telephone. The employee must occasionally transport up to 50 pounds.

Working Conditions: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job:

Office Environment

Employee Understanding:

I understand that this is a grant funded position and is subject to the availability of continued funding. Should funding cease, this position may be eliminated. The above job description was received, read and understood by me.

NOTE: This is a GRANT FUNDED position and is subject to the availability of continuing funding. Should funding cease, this position will be eliminated.