Paraprofessional / Child Development Specialist - Extended Day Treatment Middletown at The Village for Families and Children in Middletown, Connecticut

Job Description:

The Village for Families and Children

Job Tracking ID: Job Tracking ID: 512620-841954
Job Location: Middletown, CT
Job Level: Job Level: Entry Level (less than 2 years)
Level of Education: High School/GED
Job Type: Part-Time
Years of Experience: Years of Experience: Up to 2 Years
Starting Date: Starting Date: ASAP
Salary: Salary: 17.00
Work Hours: Work Hours: Part Time 30-35 hours

Job Description

Hourly wage: $17.00 per hour plus $500 sign on bonus
$1,000 sign-on bonus for candidates that have a current Public Passenger Endorsement CT Driver’s License
Do you get excited about working hard and thinking outside of the box to support children and families? Do you love to engage with children and families and to think therapeutically about behaviors and interventions? Do you enjoy helping children develop their social and coping skills? If so we have the perfect position for you, allowing you to interact daily and work with children one on one and in a group to support them and help them build on their successes.

ABOUT EXTENDED DAY TREATMENT

Extended Day Treatment (EDT) is a therapeutically intensive program that supports children in developing and practicing social and coping skills that will help them to be more successful in their schools, homes and communities. During the 6-month program, children work on individualized goals and build skills in daily peer groups. They develop conflict resolution skills and learn to express their feelings in healthy, productive ways. Family involvement is critical. Families receive support in connecting with schools and the community to identify opportunities and build a foundation for success. Group, individual and family therapy, case management and medication management is also provided as needed.

ABOUT THE VILLAGE

The Village was one of the first agencies in the country to provide homes for neglected children. Today, we continue to achieve our mission "to build a community of strong, healthy families who protect and nurture children" by providing a full range of behavioral health, early childhood and youth development, substance abuse treatment, and support services for children, families and adults in the Greater Hartford region.

Our staff are energetic, enthusiastic, mission-driven and open to learning. If you’d like to grow your career in a diverse and supportive environment rich with learning opportunities, join us!

JOB SUMMARY

The Child Development Specialist I participates as a key member of a multi-disciplinary treatment team in the treatment and/or education of children with significant emotional, behavioral and learning disabilities. She/He ensures that the children’s physical and emotional needs are met on a daily basis and supports the children’s academic learning by focusing on the enhancement of their social, recreational and behavioral functioning.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain the safety of children in all situations through the use of supervision and the implementation of various therapeutic techniques, including Therapeutic Crisis Intervention.
• Maintain a safe, clean and dignified milieu environment.
• Serve as a healthy role model.
• Demonstrate techniques that enhance problem solving abilities and enable growth and maturity.
• Understand and relay relevant information.
• Record and document critical information in a timely matter.
• Communicate with parents/guardians in a professional and timely matter.
• Communicate with coworkers in a professional and timely matter.
• Communicate with external professionals (e.g. Teachers, DCF Workers) in a professional and timely manner.
• Manage and assist in the modification of child behavior.
• Maintain appropriate certifications (see Licensure Requirements below).
• Provide safe transportation to and from program activities.
• Conduct oneself in a professional, courteous manner in all job-related interactions.
• Interact with children in a positive, nurturing, therapeutic manner.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate therapeutic groups.
• Participate in program meetings, agency meetings, supervision and training events as deemed appropriate by supervisor.
• Conduct any other related work to insure that the physical and emotional needs of the children are met and that the program continues to operate effectively.
• May be required to work in other programs as needed.

Experience and Skills

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Educational Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree strongly preferred; Associates Degree or High School diploma considered.
• Licensure/Certification Requirements: Valid driver’s license and the capacity to attain or maintain a Public Service License, Medication Administration Certification, Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Certification, American Red Cross First Aid and CPR Certification, Defensive Driving Certification, Safe Food Handling Certification.
• Experience Level: Three years in human service field or experience working with special needs children.
• Specific Skills, Knowledge and Ability Requirements: Knowledge of basic child development, issues related to the effects of abuse and neglect.
• Must be able to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Must be culturally competent to serve a diverse population.
• Must have the ability to manage stress and to respond to emergency situations safely and calmly.
• Proficient with word processing and spreadsheet applications. Possess solid general computer skills, including ability to work in a Windows XP environment. Familiarity with specific applications used by the Village a plus.
• Physically able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations, i.e. must be able to supervise groups of children and perform physical intervention if required; must be able to move freely from place to place without restriction.

The Village for Families and Children is An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age or any other federally protected class.

PI253619212

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