About Us
Minnesota Valley Action Council (MVAC) is a nonprofit community action agency serving south-central Minnesota since 1965. We partner with individuals, families, and communities to promote economic stability and opportunity through housing, transportation, employment, education, and supportive services.
Service Area: Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Le Sueur, Martin, Nicollet, Sibley, Waseca, and Watonwan counties
Our Core Values:
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Build Supportive Relationships – Strong partnerships uplift people and communities
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Empower People – Everyone deserves the opportunity to reach their goals
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Promote Dignity – We deliver equitable and respectful services
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Work Together – Collaboration strengthens outcomes
Position Summary
The Head Start Home-Based Educator is responsible for delivering comprehensive Head Start services to enrolled children and families through a home-based program model. Services include family support, education, health, mental health, and nutrition. This position conducts outreach and recruitment activities, establishes and maintains supportive relationships with families, connects participants to community resources, and provides weekly home visits that promote child development and family engagement. The Home-Based Educator works collaboratively with families, community partners, coworkers, and supervisors to support positive outcomes for children and families while ensuring compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) regulations, and MVAC policies and procedures.
Essential Functions / Key Responsibilities
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Conduct community outreach, recruitment, enrollment, and application activities to support program participation.
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Provide weekly home visits to assigned families and children in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards.
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Plan and facilitate engaging, developmentally appropriate learning experiences that support school readiness and child development.
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Create and maintain a safe, nurturing, and inclusive learning environment during Family School Time and home visit activities.
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Implement approved curriculum and complete ongoing child assessments to monitor developmental progress and individualize services.
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Partner with parents and caregivers to support their role as their child's primary educator.
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Build and maintain positive, professional relationships with enrolled families.
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Develop collaborative relationships with community agencies and service providers to support family needs.
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Provide information, resources, and support related to health, mental health, nutrition, and family well-being.
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Assess family strengths and needs and provide referrals to appropriate community resources and services.
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Maintain accurate and timely documentation, case notes, assessments, reports, and data entry in accordance with program requirements.
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Ensure compliance with MVAC policies and procedures, Head Start Performance Standards, and Minnesota childcare licensing statutes and regulations.
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Participate in staff meetings, training opportunities, professional development activities, and program initiatives.
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Perform other duties as assigned
Your benefits may include:
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Health, dental, and vision insurance
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Paid time off and holidays
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Professional development opportunities
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Employee assistance resources
Equal Opportunity Employer
Minnesota Valley Action Council, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MVAC is committed to creating an inclusive workplace and providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, directives, and regulations and regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status under applicable law.
Must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. MVAC is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation for applying for this position, please email [email protected] or call (507) 345-0440.
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Home-Based Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, or equivalent coursework as part of an Associate's or Bachelor's degree program.
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Demonstrated ability to plan and implement developmentally appropriate home-based learning experiences for children and families.
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Experience working with young children and families.
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Strong computer skills, including proficiency with data entry and recordkeeping.
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Effective verbal and written communication skills.
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Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple responsibilities and meet deadlines.
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Ability to maintain confidentiality and build positive professional relationships with families, community partners, and staff.
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Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and ability to travel within MVAC's service area as required.
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Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Family Services, Human Services, or a related field.
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Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards and early childhood best practices.
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Knowledge of community resources and the ability to connect families with appropriate services and supports.
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Experience conducting home visits and providing family-centered services.
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Experience with child assessment tools, curriculum implementation, and family engagement strategies.
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Bilingual or multilingual language skills.
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Experience working with culturally diverse and economically disadvantaged populations.
