Title:                    Childcare Specialist
 
Program:             CalWORKs
 
Reports to:          Program Manager
 
Valley Oasis is a community based organization dedicated to eliminating social and domestic violence and homelessness through community awareness, intervention, prevention, safe shelter and supportive services. CalWORKs Outreach is a domestic violence intervention program funded though the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Our program is part of the County’s Welfare to Work program, and we seek to help people that have suffered from domestic violence to regain their autonomy and self-esteem so they can re-enter the world as a productive and healthy member of society. Due to the nature of our funding, we serve participants that are receiving cash aid and food stamps, and these participants are referred to us, for the most part, directly from the County. The average caseload per case manager is approximately 44 participants. We offer a comprehensive 21-week domestic violence education/support group. Our curriculum covers topics such as “What is Domestic Violence”, “Why do Abusers Abuse”, and “How Domestic Violence Impacts Your Children and Teens”, just to name a few. In addition to this class/support group we also offer comprehensive case management services, and seek to provide our participants with the assistance and referrals they need to overcome their trauma. We also have a licensed marriage and family therapist on staff to see participants that have exceptional needs on an individual basis. Outreach also has a legal component, offering free legal services to qualified participants by a licensed attorney. Outreach also provides childcare for all appointments and classes a participant has at our office while enrolled in our program. 

Essential Job Functions:

• Complete intakes and provide an orientation to incoming participants and their children - Communicate childcare guidelines and expectations
• Create welcome packets for children
• Complete all paperwork and dailies by end of each shift
• Maintain records on individual children, including daily observations (case notes) and information on activities, meals or snacks served, medications, concerns, etc.
• Process documentation in a timely manner and according to program regulations, guidelines and standard operating procedures
• Maintain up to date knowledge of CalWORKs program procedures and implement changes when needed
• Develop age appropriate activities for children who are/have experiencing trauma
• Plan, implement and schedule enrichment activities designed to help children learn about healthy relationships, safety relationships, early development, school readiness, social interaction skills, etc.
• Develop parent child bonding activities
• Assist children with crisis/peer counseling
• Monitor children for any signs of behavioral, emotional or developmental concerns and bring the concerns to the attention of parent/guardian and supervisor
• Conduct educational and recreational group activities
• Provide tutoring to children in school
• Ensure clear communication with parent/guardian
• Introduce children to basic concepts, such as reading, sharing of toys, alphabets, etc.
• Assist children with good hygiene, such as washing of hands, diaper changing, etc.
• Provide first aid care for minor injuries or accidents, and appropriately notify and document
• Prepare and serve nutritional snacks
• Document any form of abuse to a child and immediately report to required authorities (DCFS, local law enforcement)
• Respond appropriately to participants individual needs for clothing, school necessities and supplies, as well as their needs for information, referral and access to community resources to assist with self-sufficiency
• Collaborate with program staff to achieve excellent performance and outcomes
• Ensure participants and children receive quality and timely services
• Maintain a cleaning routine throughout the day that keeps all areas sanitary and safe
• Assist in the care and maintenance of the building
• Regularly report to supervisor to provide program status updates
• Assist in identifying training needs
• Attend agency, case conferences, and other program meetings
• Attend trainings and continuing education activities as assigned
• Adhere to agency policies and procedures including confidentiality, child abuse reporting, and code of ethics
• Additional tasks, projects and or responsibilities as assigned by Supervisor that are not outlined but which are an important part of the agency’s goals and/or program outcomes.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: 

• Knowledge and understanding of the concepts of Harm Reduction, Trauma Informed Care and the dynamics of domestic violence
• Knowledge of issues facing domestic violence victims (e.g. substance abuse, mental health, sexual assault, human trafficking and immigration)
• Knowledge of resources to assist domestic violence individuals throughout Los Angeles County
• Knowledge and understanding of the challenges facing children of domestic violence victims
• Knowledge of trauma informed supportive services for children of domestic violence victims
• Ability to nurture respectful relationship with participants and their children
• Knowledge and understanding of policy, systems, and local programs that impact domestic violence victims
• Knowledge of resources including legal, medical, housing, educational and social service agencies and other resources in the community
• Ability to work with a diverse population and provide culturally competent advocacy;
• Ability to deescalate aggressive/agitated individuals
• Actively promote positive, nurturing interactions between participants
• Must be able to exercise initiative, independent good judgment, flexibility, discretion, and solid decision making
• Must be able to successfully manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, adjust to changing; circumstances, and demonstrate confidence working with diverse stakeholders
• Work effectively under conditions of limited supervision, high stress and rapidly changing situations and circumstances;
• Ability to handle common problems without supervisor intervention while knowing when supervisor participation is warranted;
• Able to take appropriate steps to deal with emergency situations with the goal of maintaining the safety of all participants;
• Ability to respond quickly and effectively to individuals who may be ill, using substances, lack of personal care in crisis situations and/or potentially hostile situations
• Promote cooperation and commitment within a team to achieve goals and objective; collaborate with team members, sharing ideas and differences openly; be receptive to new ideas and adapt to change as necessary;
• Demonstrate the ability to utilize strong judgement and interpersonal skills to manage sensitive client interactions including with those who may be in distress with acute illness, substance use issues, co-morbidity of behavioral and physical health issues in addition to homelessness
• Project a professional demeanor and a high level of professionalism when dealing with sensitive matters
• Considers impact of personal and professional choices. Consistently make decisions in keeping with organizational values and Supervisor’s direction;
• Strict confidentiality must be observed as it relates to client information, agency business, program decisions and all other personal information
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to follow through from beginning to end on tasks
• Outstanding communication skills, both written and oral; must communicate professionally and positively with participants, co-workers, management, community partners, employers, landlords, and other service providers
• Proficient with office communication equipment and machines (telephone, copier, calculator, fax machine, personal computer, laptop, computer printer and scanner).
• Proficient in use of laptop/desktop computer, Microsoft Windows and Office software programs (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Google drive
• Strong time management skills and the ability to multi-task and prioritize in a fast-paced environment, while exercising sound judgment.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule; including nights, days, weekends and holidays
• Able to respond to emergencies some evenings and weekends as necessary
• Use of a personal vehicle may be required to travel in and around Antelope Valley and/or Los Angeles County and periodically transport participants
• Maintain professional boundaries and work collaboratively with participants, volunteers and staff
• Accountability – be on time for scheduled shifts
• Be able to read and write English
• Bilingual Preferred but not required

Qualifications & Experience:

• High School Graduate or equivalent
• One year experience working with childcare services; preferably working as an employee or volunteer at an agency that services victims of domestic violence/intimate partner violence
• One year experience of teaching or supervising in a child development or social services children program

Agency Requirements:

• Must have a valid California Driver’s License
• Reliable transportation
• Auto Insurance
• Clean driving record
• Employee will be required to complete a TB test, fingerprinting, drug screen (employment pending on drug screen, background and Motor Vehicle Report review), 72-hour Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault training and CPR/First Aid certification 

Work Conditions & Physical Demands
An employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job must meet physical demands described:

• May be in contact with individuals in crisis who may be ill, using substances and/or not be attentive to personal hygiene and safety for themselves
• May experience unpleasant sensory demands associated with an individual’s use of alcohol and drugs, and lack of personal care
• May experience crisis situations and potentially hostile situations, must be ready to respond quickly and effectively.

An employee is required to:
Walk and climb stairs; Handle, grasp and feel objects and equipment; Reach with hands and arms; extend both arms above the head and/or reach below the waist; Communicate ideas and information verbally and written word; Be able to move oneself quickly and easily from place to place; Repeat various motions with hands, wrists, fingers; Climb on stools, steps and/or ladders; Be subject to outside environmental conditions, including but not limited to: Rain, heat, wind.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. If accommodation(s) are required, employee must inform Human Resources by the first week of employment. If an accommodation is not required at the time of employment, but is later required, you must inform Human Resources at the time it is needed.

Benefits

Health	Employee Assistance Plan	Paid Sick
Dental	AFLAC	Paid Vacation
Vision	Cafeteria 125 Plan	Personal Days
Acupuncture/Chiropractic	Retirement Plan
Life Insurance	14 Observed Holidays

 
Schedule:
Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm (may be required to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends, holidays and/or on call status) Flexibility is ESSENTIAL
 
Salary Range:
$15.50 - $17.00 per hour

An Equal Opportunity Employer: Selection will be based solely on merit and will be without discrimination because of age, race, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability.

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