Early Intervention Specialist

Developmental Disability (DD) Waiver Eligibility Specialist

The City of Alexandria is located in northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Early Intervention Specialist position.

An Overview

The Early Intervention Specialist provides individualized developmental services and family support to promote child development and increase family self-sufficiency, in accordance with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and related regulations. This role follows the Commonwealth’s Part C recognized practitioner qualifications, scope, and level of work. The Early Intervention Specialist conducts initial intakes and provides Medicaid Waiver services to children and adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities. Responsibilities include assessing needs, facilitating service linkages, monitoring effectiveness, providing crisis intervention and prevention supports, and advocacy services.

This role involves intake and eligibility screenings from various referring agencies and individuals and monitoring the status of individuals on the Medicaid Waiver waitlist. The position may require cross-training to provide backup support within the unit and agency. The Early Intervention Specialist must exercise initiative and independent judgment, maintain professional courtesy, and interact intermittently with individuals, families, and service providers with minimal supervision. This position may require travel within the service area and flexible scheduling.

Key duties include completing comprehensive assessments, referrals, monitoring, advocacy, and documentation of services provided. Employees receive oversight and case review from a supervisor. Client interactions involve sensitive information, requiring strict confidentiality of client records and treatment.

What You Should Bring

The ideal candidate will have a strong knowledge of available community resources, including medical, mental health, economic, and social services. Understanding treatment issues related to behavioral, emotional, economic, and social conditions, including dual diagnoses. The ability to identify and connect individuals to appropriate supports and resources is critical, along with skills to engage diverse stakeholders and communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing. Evaluating client needs and formulating actionable plans to address those needs. Providing competent and professional services to culturally diverse families.

The Opportunity

• Manage the intake phone line, receive requests for intakes, and schedule intake appointments;
• Inform individuals of required documentation for intake and assist with obtaining necessary documents;
• Conduct program intake interviews and eligibility assessments;
• Provide referrals and connections to community resources;
• Maintain documentation following federal, state, and departmental policies;
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings for coordination of care;
• Advocate for Developmental Disability Waiver slot assignments;
• Assist with applications for government benefits;
• Conduct face-to-face visits in home, community, and off-site locations;
• Evaluate and assess client and family strengths, needs, and preferences;
• Maintain communication with clients, families, support workers, teachers, and providers;
• Prepare and maintain client files using electronic health record systems;
• Refer clients to other agencies as appropriate;
• Prepare reports on the status of clients awaiting intake;
• Perform administrative support tasks related to intake;
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

About The Department

The Center for Children and Families (CCF) provides programs and services for Behavioral Health, Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, Child Welfare & Child Protective Services, Early Childhood and Youth Development. CCF provides compassionate, collaborative, and effective person and family-centered services based on best practices. Our teams support self-determination, safety, recovery and resiliency for Alexandria children and all residents affected by abuse, neglect, mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and substance abuse disorders.

Bachelor’s degree in allied health, child and family studies, early childhood; human development; psychology, public health, nursing; counseling; social work; special education or other related field approved by the Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia and certified as an Early Intervention Professional or, Early Intervention Specialist, or Early Intervention Case Manager, or eligible to obtain certification within 30 days of employment offer. Employees must maintain a valid driver's license in their state of residence.

This position requires the successful completion of pre-employment background checks including but not limited to: FBI/Federal Records Check; VA State Child Abuse/Neglect Registry; Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Database; education/certifications; and driver’s license.

Schedule: Monday through Friday, 9:00AM – 5:30PM.