Careers at Growing Home

Founded in 1998 as a temporary housing program for homeless families, over its history Growing Home has transformed into a multi-service organization working to break the cycle of poverty by strengthening families, nurturing children, and connecting community. Our comprehensive approach allows Growing Home to address the needs of the whole person, whole family, and whole community to reach better and longer-lasting outcomes. Our work centers on supporting strong and resilient families as well as thriving and equitable communities. In our Strengthening Families programs, we help stabilize families by providing basic needs services in the areas of food and housing.  In our Nurturing Children impact area, we educate parents on their children’s development to put their children on the path to a brighter future.  In our Connecting Community work, through community organizing and advocacy, we work towards systemic changes that address the root causes of poverty.

Mission: To guide children and their families on the path to a brighter future

Vision: We envision our community working together so that all children and their families have a place to call home, food on the table, and the opportunity to pursue their dreams.

Core Values: Respect, Effectiveness, Learning, Collaborative Leadership, Professionalism and Inclusiveness.

Description or Purpose of the Position:  A certified parent educator implements the PAT model, emphasizing parent-child interaction, development-centered parenting and family well-being in their work with families. Utilizing the PAT Foundational Curriculum in culturally sensitive ways, the parent educator partners, facilitates and reflects with families. This is accomplished by providing education in the form of personal visits, group meetings, screening, and linkages to a network of resources for parents and children.

Responsibilities:

• Provide parent education through regular personal visits implementing the Parents as Teachers Foundational 1 and 2 Curriculum
• Assess family’s needs and provide developmentally appropriate information, guidance and support to parents
• Work with the PAT team to organize monthly Discovery Time Group Activities
• Represent the Parents as Teachers program at various community events supporting families and/or young children
• Coordinate services with other Growing Home and community programs offering resources to parents and their young children
• Engage in recruitment activities (as applicable)
• Plan, provide and document personal visits focused on parent-child interaction, development-centered parenting and family well-being
• Use the PAT Foundational curriculum to share research-based information with families
• Provide referrals to Discovery Time (Group learning) to give families an opportunity to build social connections with each other, engage in parent-child interaction activities, and increase their knowledge of ways to support children’s development
• Maintain and submit in a timely way all required family and program documentation
• Organize supplies and materials needed to complete home visits, etc.
• Participate in at least 2 hours of reflective supervision monthly and at least 2 hours of staff meetings monthly
• Obtain competency-based professional development and renew parent educator certification annually
• Participate in continuous quality improvement
• Attend monthly staff and team meetings

Qualifications Needed:

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, social work, psychology, or a related field is preferred. Five years of supervised employment working directly with young children and families is acceptable.
• Ability to read, write, and speak fluently in English and Spanish
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills (e.g., nonjudgmental, objective, reflective, empathic, patient, tactful)
• Ability to establish rapport with families and empower them by building on their strengths
• Strong organizational and record keeping skills
• Ability to work independently and be self-motivated (work is often away from the office)
• Computer skills; including web browsing, e-mail, Internet, and word-processing
• Ability to complete the Parents as Teachers Foundational and Model Implementation Trainings before delivering PAT services.
• Familiarity with issues surrounding family poverty
• Commitment to working with diverse people and families
• Provide services in a culturally appropriate/sensitive manner
• Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality
• Demonstrate ability to work as an effective team member
• Maintain current certification as a Parent Educator by completing the required professional development hours for years of service
• Valid Colorado Driver’s License and proof of valid vehicle insurance

Salary and Benefits:

• $16.83-$17.79 per hour DOE
• Health and life insurance
• Employee wellness program
• Paid vacation, sick days and holidays
• Optional 403 (b) plan with 5% match after 12 months
• Positive, friendly workplace culture

Start Date:  Immediate

To Apply:

Please send a resume, cover letter to careers@growinghome.org with Parents as Teachers Bilingual Parent Educator in the subject line.

Growing Home is committed to an inclusive workplace.  We are an equal opportunity employer.