Baby Steps Program Specialist

Baby Steps is a parent education program designed to help parents/caregivers of children from birth to 5 years of age gain a better understanding of child development as well as acquire the skills to raise happy, healthy children. Modeled after the “Baby College® of Harlem,” Baby Steps was established in 2009 through a consortium of educational and social service agencies in Newport. It includes educational sessions on child behavior and positive parenting; communication and language development; developmentally appropriate learning and cognitive development.

The goal of Baby Steps is to ensure that each child, by the age of 5, develops a full and vibrant vocabulary along with social skills that will effectively prepare him/her for pre-K or kindergarten. Another goal of the program is to ensure that parents/caregivers receive the education and support they need during the pivotal first five years of their children’s lives.

How you will make an impact:

• Plan and implement Baby Steps sessions, as well as liaison with Baby Steps families and community partners.
• Provide backup to the Baby Steps Coordinator.
• Assume primary responsibility for Baby Steps Sessions. This includes, but is not limited to registration of families, distributing reminders, developing lesson plans, coordination of volunteers, etc.
• Coordinate and follow up on identified needs and resources on behalf of families participating in Baby Steps program sessions.
• Perform required data entry into the software program assigned to Baby Steps.
• Assist the Coordinator to develop the quarterly newsletter.
• Recruit, retain, and train program volunteers. (Volunteers are adults with a specific professional background or interest in early childhood education/related field, college students training in early childhood, nursing, etc.

Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree with 2 years of experience in early childhood or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Strong interpersonal, public speaking and listening skills
• Spanish speaking strongly preferred but not required
• Candidate must be available to work on nights and weekends.

EBCAP is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action (EEO/AA) employer committed to providing a diverse work environment.