University
of Missouri Extension
Extension Associate - Family/Parenting Educator for
Hispanic/Latino Audiences
Position
Description
Summary
HES Extension is dedicated to helping Missouri’s families provide safe, healthy, and nurturing environments for their children. Education is provided to families through the combined efforts of dedicated and degreed faculty and staff, and community resources focused on benefiting families.
This position is a part of a newly-funded 1.7 M, 5 year, U.S. Dept. Health and Human Services grant project, “Connecting for Children”. This position is responsible for providing child development, couple and family relations education and intervention through working with Hispanic/Latino individuals in confidential and sensitive interactions, as well as coordinating and conducting educational programs to enhance knowledge base and skill development of couple relationships, family and parental-related issues. Topics include a variety of family life issues. These can include basic child development, family systems, proactive parenting strategies, relationship issues, and health and safety measures as well as problem-focused concerns such as anxiety and depression, suicide, child abuse, runways, adolescent problems, alcohol and drug abuse, fetal alcohol syndrome, and other multi-disciplinary issues facing children and families.
Characteristic Duties
75% Work with parents, caregivers, and practitioners to provide proactive family life education as well as to offer educational problem-solving support to address problem-focused, stress-related, sensitive situations. Primary audience will be families that are Hispanic/Latino as well as the practitioners and other community members who support these families.
Teach and guide clients and families about child development and other family support topics via ParentLink’s WarmLine (telephone, computer, hard copy or face-to-face).
Assess client’s needs and assess level of risk based on safety and urgency of situation.
Provide sound information supported by the research. Make decisions and determinations on child development information and parenting strategies and guidance offered to clients, within the limits established by supervisor.
Develop action plans for clients, providing guidance and referrals to community resources available. Provide assistance and education to help clients work with community support groups.
Respond to emergency contacts.
Research to find solutions to unique situations.
Ensure legal obligations, including “closed case” confidentiality and client data.
Maintain thorough knowledge of community resources and research findings on the diverse topics related to child development and parenting.
Establish a relationship of trust and respect with clients. Listen and accept clients concerns without bias. Encourage clients to clearly work through their situation and coach them to a positive solution.
Maintain professional development and academic contributions.
10% Identify, review & recommend literature applicable to child and family development.
05% Write articles related to children and families appropriate for public distribution.
05% Plan, present and/or participate in special educational events and educational seminars.
03% Teach student interns who work specifically with the WarmLine.
02% Serve on Coalition boards to enhance partnerships between ParentLink and other family service organizations such as the MO Departments of Mental Health, Social Services, Elementary and Secondary Education, Public Safety, Economic Development and Health and Senior Services as well as MO School Counselors Association, Safe Kids Coalition, MU Medical School, Parents as Teachers, Literacy Investment for Tomorrow, Practical Parenting Partnerships and many others.
Conduct all activities in accordance with the Civil Rights Acts, Title IX, Rehabilitation, Americans with Disabilities Act and local, state and region affirmative action plans.
As with all positions, involvement with other duties and responsibilities may be expected in order to support the mission and purpose of MU Extension.
Accountability
This position reports to the Director for ParentLink.
Leadership Responsibilities
Functional supervision is exercised over research and office support personnel.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelors degree in child development and family relations or related field of study, plus two years experience in a human service field.
Proficient in speaking Spanish and familiar with the Hispanic/Latino culture.
Additional Preferred Qualifications
Patience and ability to remain calm in crises and/or sensitive situations.
Ability and professional understanding of how to sensitively meet the needs of children and families, along with interpersonal skills to meet those needs.
Strong observation, analytical, and listening skills.
Empathy, combined with a genuine desire to help clients.
Educational knowledge and research skills to remain up-to-date on parenting issues.
General administrative skills for report writing, researching, and coordinating promotional events.
[ Position Announcements| University of Missouri Extension| University of Missouri System ]
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Human
Resource Development hrdext@missouri.edu Last modified: 09/20/07 |
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