Early Intervention Specialist

1 FTE – 40 hours/week

SUMMARY

The Early Intervention Specialist is responsible for the disability and mental health components of Head Start/Early Head Start including coordinating with component staff, teaching staff, family educators and other institutions that provide disability services to Head Start children such as local school districts, while advocating for low-income families, especially those who have children with disabilities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS - Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class. Employees are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions, but are an essential function. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• The Early Intervention Specialist will assist Family Service Coordinators and other Head Start staff to enroll children with disabilities and/or special needs to meet the minimum 10% of enrolled children.
• Attend program, agency, and district meetings as necessary in Scott, Carver, and Dakota Counties.
• Provide regularly scheduled visits in the classroom to support Head Start teachers with strategies on implementing Individual Education Plan’s/Individual Family Service Plan’s and assist classroom staff with managing challenging behaviors, as necessary. This may include observing children for developmental concerns, modeling best practices, substituting in the classroom, behavior management strategies, support the implementation of Conscious Discipline techniques, and provide resources and materials to support all staff and families.
• Consistently follow up on referrals to school districts and mental health providers, and document all information in Child Plus
• Observe home visits on an as needed basis to provide feedback and support to Family Educators on ways to better support their children and families they serve.
• Provide communication, education and support to parents including; conducting Individual Child Care Program Plan (ICCPP) meetings for children with an IEP, attend and support families at IEP/IFSP meetings, support staff and families with Kindergarten transition needs alongside the Family Service Coordinators,
• The Early Intervention Specialist is expected to provide necessary information and training to parents and staff in regard to early childhood development, and other relevant initiatives.
• Work cooperatively with Head Start component and ECSE (Early Childhood Special Education) staff to provide complete services for each child. These services may include; enrollment, evaluations, IEP (Individual Education Plan) meetings, and collaboration with ECSE to provide services to Head Start children.
• Facilitate or coordinate the Developmental Screening of all Head Start children within 45 days of enrollment or obtain this information from school districts. All screenings will be entered and documented into Child Plus and shared with teaching staff, families, and school districts.
• Work closely with Mental Health Consultants to support classroom strategy implementation, conduct classroom observations, and support in creating Individual Skill Building Plans when needed.
• Work with the local School Districts to ensure Local Education Agency’s (LEA’s) are reviewed, agreed upon, and signed on an annual basis.
• Attend Coordinated Services meetings with the Health team to ensure follow up of children with suspected disabilities or children in the referral process.
• Work closely with the Health Team as needed to support component area needs and goals.
• Monitor and ensure information is documented into Child Plus such as open concerns, IEP/IFSP’s, ICCPP’s, ASQ: SE’s, Early Childhood Screenings and any other pertinent information.
• Responsible for the implementation of transportation plan for the transportation provided to children attending Early Childhood Special Education services. Coordinate/facilitate bus monitoring (twice per year) to ensure Head Start regulations are being adhered to during ECSE routes.
• Support program School Readiness and Parent, Family and Community Engagement Goals.
• Attend recruitment events and complete bi-quarterly recruitment tasks
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Head Start Manager and Director of Education Services.

MISSION DRIVEN COMPETENCIES

• Fostering Teamwork
• Continuous Improvement
• Communication
• Building Collaborative Relationships
• Customer Centered
• Analytical Thinking
• Use of Technology and information management

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training and Experience Guidelines

Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Special Education, or coursework equivalent to a major relating to Early Childhood Education, along with training and experience in securing and individualizing needed services for children with disabilities

Knowledge of:

• Applicable policies, procedures and regulations covering specific areas of assignment.
• Rules and regulations of the Head Start program and other governing agencies.
• State and Federal laws governing grant funding programs.
• Local community resources, regional community services programs, and regional training programs.
• Personal computers utilizing standard software, and specialized CAP and state agency software applications and procedures.
• Principles of record keeping and records management.
• Safety rules and regulations.

Skill in:

• Understanding and applying Head Start program standards, and applicable Federal and state rules and regulations, and CAP policies and procedures.
• Coordinating educational and school support programs.
• Planning, organizing, and coordinating the work of assigned staff.
• Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands.
• Providing effective customer service and dealing tactfully and courteously with the public.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with co-workers, clients, advocates and representatives from community groups and government agencies.
• Effective verbal and written communication.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

A valid Minnesota State Driver’s License, proof of insurance and review of Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) report is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a standard office environment which requires occasionally lifting such articles as file boxes or heavier materials with help from others and/or lifting and carrying light objects frequently. Mobility to drive a motor vehicle in order to attend meetings. A job in this category may require walking or standing to a significant degree or may involve sitting most of the time with long periods of computer work and heavy phone usage.

ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION

Grade: E-1

FLSA Status: Exempt

Department: Head Start

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION POLICY: Scott, Carver, Dakota CAP Agency will not deny anyone the opportunities for training or employment because of sex, race, religion, color, creed, national origin, marital status, age, sexual preference, disability or status with regard to public assistance.

The Scott Carver Dakota CAP Agency is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer