ABOUT US:

Illinois Action for Children (“IAFC”), a local, state, and national leader in the early childhood care and education sector for over 50 years. IAFC programs, services, and advocacy improve learning and life outcomes for children and families, including reducing the effects of poverty. IAFC works to ensure that every child in Illinois – particularly those in need – have access to the necessary resources to succeed in school and in life.

Along with our mission, IAFC is committed to building and maintaining a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist culture. We are dedicated to this pledge through our hiring practices and our focus on creating a culture and environment where diverse perspectives, ideas, and identities are valued and integrated into our way of working and servicing our staff and clients. IAFC staff represent a wide diversity of racial, socio-economic, gender, religious, and national identities. We welcome all applicants who share our mission and vision to join us in our essential work.

SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Director, the Health & Safety Resource Facilitator using a strength-based approach, supports and encourages license exempt child care providers in their important work of providing care for children by conducting home visits with license-exempt family child care providers, working with providers to identify needs and goals for their child care and helping to connect the provider with programs and resources that will support early learning and quality child care. All work to be completed with minimum supervision and in accordance with Organizational standards.

This incumbent will be expected to promote and adhere to the workplace core capabilities of accountability, customer focus, continuous quality improvement, communication, competent people, and clear priorities—all work to be completed by organizational standards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to the following. The company reserves the right to add to, delete, change or modify the essential duties and responsibilities at any time.

1. Conduct resource and other IAFC engagement visits with license-exempt providers in their child care homes in order to encourage participation in other programs and/or trainings offered through Illinois Action for Children.
2. Easily build relationships within initial contact with a home-based child care provider and thereby get to know the provider as well as his/her needs and goals for developing child care in his/her home.
3. Understand all programs offered through Illinois Action for Children programs in order to be a resource and ambassador for Illinois Action for Children.
4. Conduct literacy visits with license exempt providers during which visitors will engage the children in pre-reading activities, talk with the provider about various activities that build pre-reading skills, and provide books and materials for the provider to use on her own with the children.
5. Serve as a resource to providers concerning DCFS licensing procedures.
6. Conduct Healthy Food Program initial training home visits with providers that have indicated interest in participating in the Healthy Food Program to familiarize them with the Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) regulations and provider responsibilities.
7. Conduct and facilitate provider peer learning groups and/or provider trainings.
8. Conduct and participate in outreach activities for Illinois Action for Children.
9. Organize, recruit and provide leadership for special group meetings/trainings for providers held in the neighborhoods in which the facilitator is assigned to work.
10. Document the results of all visits, phone calls and meetings with providers on paper forms and/or in computer databases.
11. Ensure confidentiality of parent and provider information received and managed by IAFC.
12. Become acquainted with and build collaborative relationships with organizations in the communities in which the facilitator is assigned to work.
13. Execute our workplace core capabilities of: accountability, customer focus, continuous quality improvement (CQI), communication, competent people and clear prioriites.
14. Independently work on multiple tasks effectively in support of department.
15. Other Functions: The Organization may assign other functions to the job at its discretion.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

Associate’s degree or 60 college credit hours in early childhood education or a related field and a minimum of 1 year of experience in child care.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Valid driver’s license, reliable personal transportation and insurance required.

OTHER SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Spanish bilingual
• Ability to work independently, with a flexible schedule, which may include nights and/or Saturdays
• Able to present information effectively and respond to questions
• Ability to work well independently and as a team member
• Effective written and spoken communication
• Ability to relate to a variety of personalities and cultures
• Accurate record keeping skills
• Ability to travel locally and statewide

Benefits of Working at IAFC:

• Working with passionate team members that are driven by our Mission: Illinois Action for Children is a catalyst for organizing, developing and supporting strong families and powerful communities where children matter most.
• We strive to foster and implement a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion across our organization. We know it is not only critical to the success of diversity initiatives - but instrumental in creating an unbiased and inclusive workplace! It not only relates to the diverse clients we serve but also creates a positive employee experience.
• We offer an extensive benefits package that adds value to your total compensation. Our benefits include:

• Health, dental and vision insurance plans with company contribution of 95% for single coverage
• 401k with company match
• Generous PTO – first year-23 days, the second year-28 days, the third year and on - 35 days
• 11 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible Spending Account
• STD & LTD insurance
• Company-paid Life Insurance

Salary: $39,800

Location, Chicago, IL -- Hybrid - Remote/Onsite

IL Action for Children is EEO/M/F/V/D employer

While we desire for this job posting to be comprehensive, all aspects of the position may be amended at any time at the discretion of IAFC including job duties, work location and/or work schedule.