Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Volunteer Experience
Technicalskills
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

Melinda Kiefat

St. Croix Falls,Wisconsin

Summary

Results-driven Family Services Coordinator with over 9 years of supervisory experience in Head Start programs, demonstrating expertise in program compliance and staff development. Proven track record in family advocacy, fostering positive outcomes through collaborative leadership. Experienced Home Visitor with 17 years of delivering comprehensive family support services, adept in child development practices and parental coaching. Committed to enhancing family resiliency and creating nurturing environments for child growth.

Overview

27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Family Services Coordinator

CESA 11 Head Start Preschool Program
Turtle Lake, Wisconsin
07.2015 - Current
  • Oversee program compliance, staff development, and family advocacy
  • Provide leadership within Family Services, implementing the program's Mission, Vision, Values, and Code of Ethics
  • Provide Reflective Supervision, guidance, support, and suggestions to Family Support Specialists and Home Visitors
  • Work with other program coordinators to ensure overall program improvement
  • Assure compliance with Performance Standards, Developmentally Appropriate Practices, and NASW Code of Ethics
  • Provide training on child abuse and neglect, monitor CPS referrals, and support staff through the process
  • Monitor enrollment and recruitment activities to ensure the program is fully enrolled and vacancies are filled
  • Advocate for children and families within the local communities and at the state and national levels
  • Provide and/or arrange for ongoing professional development related to the position work requirements and individual goals
  • Train all new family services staff
  • Assist with the hiring of Family Services staff
  • Coordinate work schedules to meet the specific needs of staff
  • Keep records as required
  • Participate in the development of the program baseline and continuation grants
  • Maintain confidentiality of all client and staff information
  • Review and recommend changes in Family and Community Partnerships to meet overall program goals and objectives
  • Facilitate the integration of disability and mental health services
  • Monitor the transition plans for children entering and leaving the program
  • Support the involvement and engagement of parents throughout all aspects of the program
  • Assist with leading and ensuring fatherhood initiatives are implemented
  • Supervise and support Dual Language Learning implementation across the program and interpreters

Early Head Start Home Visitor

CESA 11 Head Start Preschool Program
Turtle Lake, Wisconsin
08.2003 - 07.2015
  • Provide comprehensive services to 10-12 families with Early Head Start/Head Start children, including pregnant women, ensuring completion of program requirements in all component areas as outlined in the Head Start Performance Standards
  • Jointly plan with involved staff the socialization using a variety of strategies to help children of varying ages and their families experience success and learning opportunities
  • Conduct, with parental input, child developmental screeners and ongoing assessments
  • Create learning environments, on home visits and in socializations, that are developmentally appropriate and collaboratively developed with parents, which will assist parents in facilitating their children's social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development
  • Guide and coach parents in developing activities that are sensitive to child/family goals
  • Assist parents in accessing resources to increase knowledge, understanding, skills, and experience in child growth and development
  • Promote collaborations with other agencies
  • Participate in IFSP/IEP meetings and follow through with individual intervention plans
  • Develop, with parents, individual and transition plans for children
  • Support diversity in the classroom and workplace
  • Provide direct short-term crisis intervention
  • Assist families in the Family Partnership Agreement process, which includes identification of family interests, family strengths, goals, and resources to meet their needs
  • Assist in planning and facilitating Family Workshops and Parent Meetings
  • Participate in the center leadership team

Infant/Toddler Specialist

WestCap New Circle Early Head Start
Glenwood City, Wisconsin
02.1998 - 07.2003
  • Collaborated with low-income families and children during weekly home visits.
  • Supported families in the play process with children from birth to three years.
  • Collaborated with parents to create tailored development plans for children.
  • Accessed community resources to ensure parents meet basic needs, provided monthly hands-on nutrition activities and education, budgeting, and assisted parents in the goal-setting/attainment process.
  • Planned and implemented monthly playgroups.
  • Managed staffing, agency recruitment, and mentored other staff members.

Education

Bachelor of Science Degree - Human Development & Family Studies, with a concentration in Child Development

University of Wisconsin-Stout
01.1997

One Year Vocational Degree - Child Care Services

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
01.1993

Skills

  • Staff Supervision
  • Program Compliance and Quality Assurance
  • Data analysis and reporting
  • Reflective practice
  • Employee Development
  • Advocacy and Community Engagement
  • Family Engagement Strategies
  • Child Development Assessments
  • Crisis Management Expertise
  • Team Collaboration and Leadership
  • Parent Meeting Facilitation
  • Familiarity With Community Resources
  • Team Interaction Skills
  • Experienced with Windows 11 Features
  • Google Suite Utilization Skills
  • Experienced with Excel Tools
  • Visual Communication Skills
  • Parent education
  • Child advocacy
  • Mental health support
  • Case recordkeeping
  • Eligibility determination
  • Program enrollment
  • Report preparation

Certification

  • Certified Family Services Credential Trainer
  • Reflective Supervision Practice Collaboration Certified from Wisconsin Alliance for Infant Mental Health
  • Make it Ok Campaign Ambassador
  • Positive Solutions for Families
  • Conscious Discipline
  • Be Strong Protective Factors/Parenting Cafe facilitator
  • Supervisory training
  • Dad's 24/7 AM & PM Curriculum
  • Pediatric and first aid/CPR

Volunteer Experience

Girl Scout Troop Leader, Girl Scouts of America, Daisy Troop, Amery, Wisconsin, 

09/01/12, 09/01/14,

  • Facilitating troop meetings
  • Guiding girls in making decisions about activities that are appropriate for their interests and abilities
  • Ensuring that all troop activities are conducted safely

Technicalskills

  • Windows 11
  • Google Suite Efficiency
  • Excel experience
  • PowerPoint

Affiliations

  • Scrapbooking
  • Gardening
  • Cooking/Grilling
  • Camping
  • Reading

Timeline

Family Services Coordinator

CESA 11 Head Start Preschool Program
07.2015 - Current

Early Head Start Home Visitor

CESA 11 Head Start Preschool Program
08.2003 - 07.2015

Infant/Toddler Specialist

WestCap New Circle Early Head Start
02.1998 - 07.2003

Bachelor of Science Degree - Human Development & Family Studies, with a concentration in Child Development

University of Wisconsin-Stout

One Year Vocational Degree - Child Care Services

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College

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Melinda Kiefat