Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency·Cincinnati, Ohio
Provide individualized, developmentally appropriate coaching to young children in the Head Start program to enhance social-emotional, behavioral, and cognitive skills. Collaborate with teachers, families, and specialists to implement support plans and ensure school readiness.
www.cincy-caa.org
Revision Date: 04-2025
At the Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency (CAA), we envision an equitable community where everyone has the tools and resources to be self-sufficient. Our mission is clear: through advocacy, high-quality programs, and strong community partnerships, our dedicated team is breaking down barriers to equity and opportunity while building self-sufficiency across generations. Our values guide us in everything we do: we serve with passion, collaborate as a team, have compassion for others, use our talents to do transformational work, and strive to continuously improve.
The Head Start Child Coach at CHCCAA plays a crucial role in advancing our mission to expand opportunities and build self-sufficiency for our community members.
This position is responsible for providing individualized, developmentally appropriate coaching and support to young children enrolled in the Head Start program.
This position focuses on enhancing each child’s growth across developmental domains, with special attention to social-emotional, behavioral, and cognitive skills.
Working in close partnership with classroom and family support staff, the Child Coach helps children overcome developmental challenges, build self-regulation skills, and reach school readiness goals.
Through direct interaction, observation, and child-centered interventions, the Child Coach plays a vital role in creating supportive, inclusive learning environments where all children can thrive.
The ideal candidate will use their skills to embody our values and contribute to our vision of a thriving, self-sufficient community.
1. Child Development Support
Promote the healthy development of young children by supporting teaching staff in implementing developmentally appropriate practices that align with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework.
Provide individualized and small-group coaching sessions with children to support growth in areas such as language, motor skills, cognitive development, and social interaction.
Use developmentally appropriate practices and play-based techniques to reinforce skills and learning objectives.
Monitor each child’s progress toward developmental milestones and support school readiness goals through direct interaction.
2. Behavioral and Emotional Support
Build trusting, consistent relationships with children to support self-regulation, emotional expression, and resilience.
Implement individualized behavior support strategies in coordination with classroom staff and specialists.
Support children experiencing behavioral challenges by providing calming techniques, conflict resolution modeling, and emotional coaching.
Assist teachers in proactively managing challenging behaviors through observation, modeling, and feedback on effective techniques.
Collaborate with mental health staff and other specialists to support children with behavioral or emotional concerns.
3. Family Engagement
Build strong, supportive relationships with family service staff, ensuring regular communication and participation in the child’s learning journey.
Partner with teachers and family service staff to understand each child’s unique needs, strengths, and background.
Share strategies and tools to reinforce developmental and emotional goals at home.
Participate in family conferences and home visits as appropriate to support a strong home-school connection.
Promote culturally responsive practices that respect and incorporate family values, languages, and traditions.
4. Observations and Assessments
Observe children in the classroom setting to identify developmental strengths and areas for support.
Assist in the completion of developmental screenings and assessments, including social-emotional tools.
Maintain documentation of coaching sessions, progress notes, and observation records for each child served.
5. Classroom and Curriculum Support
Collaborate with teachers to align individual child coaching with classroom learning activities. Assist with the implementation of age-appropriate, culturally responsive curriculum.
Support inclusive classroom environments by helping children with specific needs participate fully in daily routines and learning experiences.
Introduce materials and activities that enhance developmental skill-building within the classroom setting. Promote activities that encourage exploration, creativity, and learning through play.
6. Collaboration and Teamwork
Work closely with teachers, family service workers, and mental health and disabilities specialists to develop and implement individualized support plans.
Participate in case reviews, child study teams, and interdisciplinary planning meetings.
Contribute insights on child behavior and development to help guide holistic support strategies.
7. Professional Development
Engage in ongoing professional learning related to child development, trauma-informed care, positive behavior support, and early childhood intervention.
Stay up to date on Head Start Performance Standards and best practices in early childhood coaching.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by staff assigned to this job classification. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. Additionally, CAA management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.
Qualifications: And requirements
The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those required by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation.
Work Location – Main office is 1740 Langdon Farm Road, Cincinnati, Ohio, but will be required to travel to different Head Start centers and occasional travel to meet with families or partner agencies.
Work Hours – generally 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with flexibility to support some evening or weekend availability as needed.
Onsite work is in an office and early education classroom environment
This position is eligible for remote work up to two days per week, defined by department schedules, assuming all eligibility and performance criteria are met and maintained. Hybrid work is not guaranteed and may be withdrawn or changed at management discretion.
Planned and unplanned travel to and from Head Start Center and other C-HCCAA or meeting/conference locations, including overnight and/or out of town travel may be required
The Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. The Functions, Qualifications, Requirements and Physical Demands listed in this job description represent the essential functions of the job, which the incumbent must be able to perform either with or without reasonable accommodation. The listed Job Functions do not necessarily include all activities that the incumbent may perform.
Your employment with the Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency is entered into voluntarily or “at-will,” meaning that both you and the employer may end the employment relationship with or without reason, cause or notice unless otherwise prohibited by law. You are free to terminate your employment at any time, with or without cause. Similarly, C-HCCAA has the right to terminate the employee’s employment, or otherwise alter an employee’s position, duties, title or compensation at any time, with or without cause or notice. Therefore, the only employment relationship that exists is one terminable at will by either the employee or C‑HCCAA.
Market context
In Ohio, Head Start Child Coach roles are typically tied to ongoing early childhood and family-support staffing needs, especially in programs serving infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. These positions are competitive because employers often look for a bachelor’s degree, classroom experience, and the ability to coach staff while supporting child outcomes. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this page to save research time, and tailor your application to show direct young-child classroom experience and coaching or mentoring examples.