Community Health Worker

Description

Make a difference in the lives of children and families!

Our Head Start and Early Head Start program is seeking a compassionate, motivated, and community-focused Part-Time Community Health Worker (CHW) to join our team. This position plays an important role in supporting the health and well-being of pregnant women, infants, toddlers, preschool children, and their families by connecting them with healthcare services, community resources, and health education.

Position Summary

The Community Health Worker serves as a trusted liaison between families, healthcare providers, and community resources. Working collaboratively with the Health Manager, Family Advocates, Mental Health, Disabilities, and Education staff. The CHW helps reduce barriers to healthcare, promotes preventive health practices, and empowers families to achieve their health and wellness goals. Community Health Workers are recognized as frontline public health professionals who improve access to health and social services through education, advocacy, and navigation.

 Essential Responsibilities

• Build trusting relationships with children and families through culturally responsive and family-centered practices.
• Assist families in obtaining medical, dental, and behavioral health services.
• Help families schedule and keep medical, dental, vision, and developmental screening appointments.
• Educate families on preventive health topics, including immunizations, well-child visits, nutrition, oral health, lead prevention, and child safety.
• Connect families to community resources, including food assistance, housing, transportation, insurance, and social services.
• Assist families with applications for health insurance and other benefit programs as appropriate.
• Provide outreach and follow-up to families experiencing barriers to accessing healthcare.
• Document services, referrals, and family contacts in accordance with agency and Head Start Performance Standards.
• Assist with hearing and vision screens
• Participate in home visits, family events, health fairs, and community outreach activities as needed.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary staff to support family goals and improve child health outcomes.
• Assists with and provides translation services between families and service providers.

Professional Responsibilities

• Follow the philosophy, communicated policies and procedures of CHILD, Inc. and Head Start Performance Standards.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and agency policies.
• Participate in pre-service, in-service, staff meetings and agency events.. 
• Demonstrate an understanding of and compliance with RI and agency Child Abuse and Neglect reporting procedures. 
• Take part in agency training and attend relevant conferences as determined necessary by management.
• Encourage family engagement in home visits and center activities. 
• Demonstrate punctuality, flexibility and dependable attendance.
• Demonstrate positivity, professional responsibility and ethical behavior with children, families, staff and community providers. 
• Demonstrate the ability to react well under pressure, handle and balance multiple demands at one time, work with frequent interruptions and perform duties and tasks at expected levels of professionalism. 

 Schedule

• Part-Time: Approximately 20-25 hours per week
• Monday - Friday Flexible daytime schedule, with occasional evening family events.

 We Offer

• Competitive hourly wage
• Participation in 403(b) savings plan
• Paid Time Off - PTO
• Holiday Pay
• Paid training and professional development
• Supportive, collaborative team environment
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families
• Flexible work schedule

Requirements

• Rhode Island Certified Community Health Worker (CHW), 
• High school diploma or equivalent. Associate's degree preferred.
• Experience working with young children and families preferred.
• Knowledge of community resources throughout Rhode Island.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred.
• Reliable transportation for community outreach and home visits.