Community-level efforts spurred by United Way of Baytown Area are taking dead aim at preparing children for success when they enter kindergarten.

Two strategies have been identified: (1) support and enhance capabilities of child care facilities to develop young minds, and (2) support and enhance knowledge and resources of parents, grandparents and other caregivers of children who are raised at home outside of a child care facility.

In connection with strategy (2), the United Way of Baytown Area board has approved start up of Parents as Teachers for Baytown, Highlands and West Chambers County. Proven in Texas and in communities throughout the country, Parents as Teachers guides caregivers in the home setting with best practices for nurturing growth and development of pre-school children.

The challenge for the Baytown area will be first, to execute Parents as Teachers with the same success as experienced elsewhere, and then to grow Parents as Teachers beyond a start-up level such that it reaches all children and families who could benefit.

After the Parents as Teachers supervisor is hired (likely in August), there will be additional employment opportunities in connection with this initiative. The supervisor will be the point person for employing three specialists (parent educators); these specialists will do the bulk of the home visits, with the supervisor carrying a limited (10 families) home visit load. A clerical/support person also will be employed. Taken together, the supervisor, three specialists and clerical support position represent the local start-up level.

At this time, application only for the supervisor position may be made by sending resume via US mail to: Hiring Committee, United Way of Baytown Area, P.O. Box 425, Baytown TX 77522-0425, or by fax to 281-424-8950, or by e-mail to mam@unitedwaybaytownarea.org. Applications accepted until position filled.

Click here to view the supervisor job description