Child Development Specialist

Do you know, you have the power to change the course of someone’s life? Avivo employees do this every day, and we want you to join the team. At Avivo, our employees work with utter commitment to their clients, embracing the full person, believing in the dignity of all people.

The Child Development Specialist will provide daily programming and activities to children participating in children’s programming in the MARFU program in the Child Development Room at Avivo Chemical and Mental Health. This position will be an active team member with the Avivo Chemical and Mental Health Families Program. This role will perform four key functions: 1. Responsible for providing care and facilitation of daily schedule and activities in the Child Development Room daily; 2. Responsible for facilitating/providing children’s programming according to identified best practices; 3. Responsible for providing quality care and maintaining the safety of children/families attending activities in the Child Development Room; and 4. Observe and support skill building in cooperation with parents. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Facilitate daily children’s program and activities of children with mothers participating in Avivo Chemical and Mental Health Family Program.  Primary emphasis will be children ages 0-6.   
• Assist team in identifying youth’s developmental needs and assisting mother in addressing youth’s needs. 
• Plan, schedule, and implement age-appropriate children’s programming utilizing High Reach Learning Curriculum and Celebrating Families! as appropriate. 
• Ensure the safety and wellbeing of children while their parents attend programming and services. 
• Demonstrate commitment to SAMSHA’s definition of recovery and recovery principles: “A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.” www.samhsa.gov 
• Role model effective parenting and care for children for the parents of children in care. 
• Collaborate closely with the family team and parents to ensure child is ready for school. 
• Actively participate in the division’s Trauma Informed Care Initiative and motivational interviewing.  Support and implement evidence-based practices related to specific program area. 
• Employ a holistic approach including promoting health and wellness activities with participants. 

• High School degree, GED or equivalent experience or 1-2 years. 
• A minimum of two years experience providing early childhood services and/or services to young children and families, or Associate’s Degree or Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood, Social Work, Human Services or related field. 
• Must pass BCA and DHS background study prior to hire. 
• A minimum one year freedom from alcohol and chemical abuse addiction. 

PREFERRED:

• Knowledge of issues impacting children of women with substance use disorder and/or mental health disorder issues. 
• Previous work experience in a behavioral health setting.  
• Work experience in a culturally diverse environment.  
• Experience with programs serving individuals with dual diagnoses.

BENEFITS:

• Medica health plan
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Nice Healthcare − offers chat, video visits and in-home primary care visits
• Dental plan
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Basic Life/AD&D & Voluntary Life/AD&D 
• Long-term disability 
• Option to purchase critical illness, accident insurance and short-term disability
• 401(k) Plan
• 10 Paid holidays & generous PTO

IN ADDITION:

• Mission driven culture that celebrates diversity
• Clinical supervision towards licensure
• Competitive pay, based on education & experience
• Mileage reimbursement

   Avivo will begin participating in E-Verify effective July 1, 2025.

Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Avivo is an equal opportunity employer and will recruit, hire, promote and transfer qualified persons into all job classifications regardless of race, gender, religion, skin color, national origin or ancestry, physical disability (including pregnancy) or mental disability, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, legally protected medical condition, family care status, marital status, veteran status, or genetic characteristics.