Jessie Kennedy

As a Parent Educator, my role is pivotal in empowering parents and caregivers by providing them with the essential knowledge, tools, and support required to create the optimal environment for their young children's early development and learning, from birth to age 5. My work involves direct engagement with families through home visits, the facilitation of group connections, conducting developmental screenings, and linking families with resources available in their community.

Here's a closer look at my responsibilities:

• I conduct personalized home visits to families enrolled in the Parents as Teachers program, leveraging the Parents as Teachers curriculum to offer guidance and support on child development and parenting practices.
• I strive to develop and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with families, providing emotional support and encouraging interactions between parents and children that foster the child's development and learning.
• I perform developmental screenings and assessments on children to track their progress and pinpoint any areas of concern that might necessitate further support or referrals.
• I organize and lead group meetings for parents and children, creating a space for peer support networks and delivering educational content pertinent to early childhood development.
• I ensure that records of visits, observations, and assessments are kept accurately and updated promptly, all while upholding the highest standards of confidentiality and adherence to program guidelines.
• I work in partnership with community resources and partners to offer comprehensive support to families, including facilitating referrals to additional services as required.
• I engage in continuous professional development and training opportunities to broaden my skills and knowledge in the field of early childhood development and parent education.

This firsthand account highlights the depth of my commitment and the proactive approach I take in contributing to the well-being and developmental success of young children and their families.