Coordinator Fact Sheets

These Fact Sheets are designed to be used by Coordinators when handling various needs in the homes they visit.

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EFFECTIVELY GETTING YOUR MESSAGE ACROSS

EFFECTIVELY GETTING YOUR MESSAGE ACROSS

Communication skills are necessary to get your message across. Many times you are required to introduce new child care regulations, and conduct training on how to implement new requirements. Occasionally providers will resist change, therefore it is your responsibility to get the message across in an accurate way. Providers will be influenced by the way you present the message.

DRESS FOR RESPECT AND AUTHORITY

DRESS FOR RESPECT AND AUTHORITY

“Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society” Mark Twain

People will judge you by how you look. You may act differently depending on what you are wearing. As a Monitor, your clients will be influenced by the visual cues you present. In addition, different colors evoke emotions that range from trust to danger. The mood and tone of the visit will be directly influenced by the clothing and colors you wear. Therefore, dressing appropriately is very important.

DOGS AND PETS IN HOMES

DOGS AND PETS IN HOMES

More than 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year. There are many instances when Monitors are injured by household pets. It’s difficult to determine which breed of dog is most likely to be aggressive. So don’t assume that a pet is safe regardless of what the provider tells you.

CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS

CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS

WHAT ARE CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS ?

Critical thinking skills are important for solving problems, developing solutions, and creating ideas for training your providers.

As home visitor monitors you need to have the ability to analyze information from an unbiased observation and point of view. When using critical thinking skills you need to organize all the facts, data, and other information. This will help you to define exactly what the problem is and develop an effective solution.

CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK

CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK

When working with your providers, feedback is very important. This allows the provider to evaluate how they are doing. As adults, we don’t often praise our own accomplishments. We feel as if we are bragging to say, “Look what a great job I did.” Therefore, when you show your providers you notice even small things, it gives them a feeling that their efforts are appreciated.

CONFIDENTIALITY

CONFIDENTIALITY

Confidentiality is always an important consideration because of the types of written information you may have in your possession. Documents, personal information, and reports should all be kept in a safe place. Never leave these items out for other to see. What does that mean? If you are using your family car to make your visits, make sure that you do not leave personal information in your car at the end of the day.

CONDUCTING UNSAFE OR UNCOMFORTABLE VISITS

CONDUCTING UNSAFE OR UNCOMFORTABLE VISITS

Because you are entering private homes, you do not know what is going on in the home until you knock on the door. There are occasions when you may feel very uncomfortable.

UNCOMFORTABLE

There are many reasons why you may feel uncomfortable.
Determine why you are uncomfortable.

Ask yourself :
Why do I feel uncomfortable?
Is it only a certain time period that I feel uncomfortable?
Is there someone on the premises that makes me feel uncomfortable?

COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS

A collaborative working relationship is a positive way to build assurance with a provider when you are evaluating their program. Your job is to assure that all regulatory and contractual agreements are carried out. Building that collaborative relationship takes patience, respect, and good communication.

BE A GOOD REPRESENTATIVE

BE A GOOD REPRESENTATIVE

Providers may be affiliated with many organizations. They are part of the State voucher program and are caring for children whose care is subsidized by the State. They are part of Federal programs like the CACFP. In addition, you are visiting the provider because she is part of Bethel Child Care and Provider’s food program. In most instances the only person your providers are acquainted with is you, their Monitor. You are the ‘face of your organization”. You are the person the provider sees at their front door on a regular basis.

BE A FACILITATOR NOT A LECTURER

BE A FACILITATOR NOT A LECTURER

What does it mean to be a facilitator? It means to assist or aid. You are a facilitator every time you are teaching a provider a new skill or helping them to set a new goal. The following tips will show you how to be an effective facilitator:

ALLOW PROVIDER TO CONTROL HOW SHE LEARNS AND TO SET HER OWN GOALS THAT SHE CAN BE COMFORTABLE WITH.

AVOID PROCRASTINATION

One of the most important skills you can develop is how to manage your time efficiently. Know yourself and your personality. If you are a procrastinator, you need to seriously examine your thinking and take steps to change this pattern. This does not happen overnight it takes hard work and planning.

ASSERTIVE LISTENING

ASSERTIVE LISTENING

How many times have you been having a discussion with someone and they are so busy thinking about what they are going to say they are not listening to what you are saying? It can be very frustrating to feel that the person you are talking to does not value what you are saying enough to listen. It is so important that you show your provider’s that you respect and want to understand their point of view.

ASSERTIVE LANGUAGE

ASSERTIVE LANGUAGE

As part of your job responsibilities, you are asked to go into provider’s homes to inspect, determine compliance, and assess the services provided. When you find that a provider is not meeting a contractual obligation, it is your responsibility to assert your authority to make sure the provider corrects the problem and meets the standards of compliance.

When you need to be assertive, what you say and how you say it determines how well your message will be received.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ASSERTIVE BEHAVIOR AND AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR