Job Statement:
The Quality Improvement Specialist’s supports Child Care Network in the achievement of its mission and fulfilling the Great Start to Quality Resource Center role. The primary focus of this position is to encourage early learning and development program participation in Great Start to Quality for licensed and unlicensed subsidized providers, including attendance at the Great Start to Quality Orientation, technical assistance to all types of early childhood educators and parents, on-line provider resources and technical support for early childhood educators and families. The Quality Improvement Specialist reports to the Resource Center Director.
PT 30 hours per week. Nights & Weekends included. $15-$17 per hour.
Job Duties:
- Exudes positive energy and enthusiasm
- Assist licensed providers with information on the STARS rating system, targeting 1-3 star providers without high needs children. Assist Tier 3 unlicensed subsidized providers with resources and information about licensing and quality program attributes.
- Assists families in finding care for their young children, in navigating to greatstartCONNECT.org, facilitate access to those without technology or by providing referrals for families needing non-traditional care or those without internet access.
- Refers families looking for child care and preschool who may be eligible for GSRP to local intermediate school districts.
- Provide technical assistance resources and support to providers, parents and other agencies concerning child development, licensing procedures, business practices, parent communication, zoning, accreditation or any other subject related to providing quality care.
- Assists providers with updating their greatstartCONNECT.org profile and submitting their Self-Assessment Survey through phone and email support to increase the number of programs participating in Great Start to Quality region wide.
- Provide technical assistance to providers, parents and other agencies concerning child development, licensing procedures, business practices, parent communication, zoning, accreditation or any other subject pertaining to providing quality care as needed.
- Refer parents and providers to appropriate resources regarding pin numbers, central reconciliation, I-Billing, food programs, literacy programs, GED programs, 211, and medical and mental health programs as needed.
- Communicates with and refers eligible providers to Quality Improvement Consultants for caseload work.
- Refer providers to the Great Start CONNECT website for professional development opportunities; in particular those related to their SAS, PQA and/or QIP.
- Contact newly licensed providers to introduce them to Great Start CONNECT.org and other resources.
- Input completion information into greatstartCONNECT.org within three days of completed trainings in Hillsdale, Jackson and Lenawee Counties.
- Compile Average Provider Rates yearly for the Southeast Region, reports workforce data through greatstartCONNECT.org, including the use of evaluations for each workforce development opportunity.
- Maintains thorough knowledge of Child Care Network services and activities, Great Start to Quality, STARS platform and greatstartCONNECT.org.
- Maintain confidentiality in all aspects of client, staff and agency information.
- Perform general clerical duties to include, but not limited to, copying, faxing, mailing and filing. Create and modify documents such as invoices, reports, newsletters using word processing, spreadsheet, database and/or other presentation software such as Microsoft Office, or other programs.
- Maintain the lending library for Hillsdale and Lenawee Counties; including sending out a monthly 5-County newsletter.
- Attend the annual Building on Behalf of Children conference.
- Represent CCN, as needed, to parents, providers, businesses and human services; in particular to promote public awareness of the quality improvement services and Great Start to Quality.
- Refer parents and providers to appropriate resources regarding pin numbers, central reconciliation, I-Billing, food programs, literacy programs, GED programs, 211, and medical and mental health programs as needed.
- Promotes public awareness of available quality improvement services and Great Start to Quality through presentation to programs/providers in group settings where applicable to increase participation in Great Start to Quality region wide.
- Posts all contract funded professional development and training opportunities on greatstartCONNECT.org and Michigan After School Partnership trainings.
- Supports providers to register themselves for training.
- Assists providers who lack access to technology to register for training.
- Tracks attendance and conducts participant evaluations for all posted trainings using greatstartCONNECT.org.
- Refers programs/providers with specific Great Start to Quality or STARS platform questions (beyond updating their greatstartCONNECT.org profile and submitting their STARS Self-Assessment Survey) to the Great Start to Quality toll-free consultation line and STARS technical questions and concerns to Mosaic Support.
- Maintain awareness of current legislation and best practices recommended in the field of early childhood.
- Advocate on behalf of children, families and early learning professionals locally. This includes attending appropriate community meetings.
- Works in cooperation with other quality support services in the community when necessary and as directed by the director to expand quality improvement resources for programs.
- Participate in regular Resource Center and staff meetings.
Qualifications:
Possess an Associate’s degree, Bachelor’s preferred and a minimum of two (2) years’ experience in the early childhood education field. Professional experience working with adult learners, families and children is also required. Has a working knowledge of the CDA credential and process.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Knowledge of current state and federal policies and developments concerning families in poverty and in crisis.
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
- Excellent customer service skills and interpersonal relationships.
- Ability to work collaboratively in teams.
- Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment.
- Knowledge of the State of Michigan child care licensing rules including training requirements.
- Familiar with Developmentally Appropriate Practices for young children.
- Experience with early learning and development programs and family/group homes.
- Demonstrates sensitivity to needs and concerns of diverse and cultural groups.
- Knowledge of computer technology, spreadsheets, databases, internet, websites, social media and word processing.
