Early Intervention Specialist - Baltimore City Head Start
Job Description
Overwhelmingly, people who decide they want to be a part of the Y in Central Maryland tell us they do so because it reflects their values and a conscious decision, they’ve made about how they choose to live their lives. The happiest and most fulfilled Y associates are those who are motivated to help others and who want to be a part of something larger than themselves. If this speaks to your heart, then we invite you to join our team. Be a part of a charitable, mission-driven organization that works for individual and community well-being for all, for a better us.
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\n At the Y in Central Maryland, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth. Enjoy flexible schedules, competitive pay, and generous paid time off, alongside medical, dental and vision benefits, as well as dependent care FSA. We offer a generous employer contribution to the Y retirement fund, and opportunities for career advancement. Our commitment to fostering a positive work environment means you'll have access to training and development programs that align with our mission to empower individuals and strengthen communities. Join us and bring your passion to a fulfilling career where you can truly make a difference!
POSITION SUMMARY:
\nThis position serves as Early Intervention Specialist for the Head Start program. This position is chiefly responsible for the following core functions and performs other tasks as needed:
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Overall management of all Disability & Mental Health services to all children with disabilities and children with demonstrated behavioral needs, as well as, their families. Overall management and coordination of all Part B & C and LEA services for children with pending and diagnosed disabilities.
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Parent Engagement: Development of family goals related to child’s IEP and/or behavioral needs.
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Community Partnerships: Ongoing management and coordination of mental health services with consultants and educational services with local education agencies.
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Recordkeeping & Reporting: myHeadStart/ COPA
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Supervision: Supervise/monitor services provided by Mental Health Clinicians, Mental Health Interns and Special Education Consultant.
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ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
\nPlanning
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Collaborate with the Director of Family Services and Senior Director, ERSEA to coordinate the recruitment and enrollment of ten percent (10%) children with disabilities into the program with Part C community agencies and LEA.
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Work closely with the Early Intervention Program and other community programs to recruit and enroll eligible children into Head Start/Early Head Start.
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Establish and utilize a referral process for any suspected disability/mental health concerns, including a tracking system for follow-up.
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Ensure individualized services are effectively provided to children with diagnosed or suspected disabilities and/or mental health concerns.
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Establish policies and procedures for implementation of the Head Start Disabilities/Mental Health services into the program with parents and associates.
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Collaborate with Associate Executive Director, Education, Administrative Assistant and teachers to modify activities, remove barriers, and provide support as needed for inclusion of children with disabilities/mental health concerns in the full range of program activities.
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Provide associates with information, guidance, and resources needed to help children and families meet the individualized goals and objectives in IDEA and ADA.
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Upon parental approval; ensure attendance of designated Head Start associates at the SST/IEP/IFSP process.
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Work closely with designated associates during the assessment process and follow up to ensure the special needs of children are met, including health, nutrition, mental health, and education.
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Work with the Senior Executive Director to ensure the program maintains a level of fiscal support to children with special needs consistent with IDEA.
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Assist Director of Family Services in compiling current resources and information related to disabilities/mental health services.
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Complete annual service plan for area of responsibility.
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Implement a system of continuous monitoring and evaluation of activities.
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Ongoing Monitoring and Recordkeeping
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Coordinates with leadership team and other center staff to promote parent involvement in the program as a classroom visitor, volunteer, employee, and/or participate in family events.
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Tracks disabilities, transition efforts and outcomes on individual and center-wide basis, analyzes data and makes program development recommendations to the leadership team.
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Ensure compliance with Head Start program standards for children with disabilities/mental health, health, and transition.
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Monitors budget for Disabilities/Mental Health service area
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Records, monitors and follows up on referrals for support services for reporting requirements.
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Submits reports as needed and requested, such as monthly summary tracking reports, etc.
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Understands, generates and documents in-kind and other available costs applied toward the non-federal share requirements.
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Attends parent committee and other meetings as requested.
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Maintain filing, tracking and documentation systems for the disabilities/mental health service area and ensure confidentiality of child and family records
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Parent Engagement
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Provides parents with information and assistance in understanding and advocating for services and support needed to address their child’s special needs.
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Provides “Transitional” services to Head Start families in cooperation with other agencies/providers, including providing referrals of parents and children to other agencies/providers as needed.
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Work with Administrative Assistant and Director of Family Services to ensure goal development, related to child’s disability and child’s behavioral needs, are developed by families.
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Community Partnerships
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Ensures the timely assessment of special education and/or related services needs of children with disabilities in coordination with the Part C agency and/or LEA.
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Develop and implement a strategy which supports a successful transition for children with disabilities/mental health concerns or other special needs into the Head Start Program or from Head Start into kindergarten or another community program.
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Assists in locating, setting up, and accessing contract services on community resources for children with special needs and initiates community partnership agreements.
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Collaborates with the Director of Family Services to ensure information on community resources for children with special needs is present in the Family Resource Guide distributed to all families.
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Manage and coordinate mental health services provided by consultants.
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General Duties
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Participate in staff meetings, conferences, training sessions and workshops as assigned.
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Maintain confidentiality in regards to staff and family information.
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Fulfill role as mandated reporter as stated in Child Abuse and Neglect Policy.
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Perform any other work-related duties as requested by your supervisor.
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Be present at work in order to provide consistency of services.
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Be a contributory team member in a positive/productive manner.
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Demonstrate commitment to mission, values, and policies in the performance of daily duties.
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QUALIFICATIONS:
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Must have experience in securing and individualizing need services for children with disabilities/mental health concerns
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Must obtain a criminal background check.
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Must have a valid driver’s license.
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Must have access to reliable transportation.
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Must obtain a copy of driving record annually and maintain a clean driving record in order to drive an agency vehicle.
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Basic computer literacy in email, word processing and internet navigation
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Maintain certification in CPR and First Aid.
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Education & Experience
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BS in Early Intervention, Special Education, Child Development
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MSW, MA in Early Intervention, Special Education related are preferred
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Early Head Start, Head Start experience preferred
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Certifications/Required Training
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Obtain certification in CPR and First Aid
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Medication Administration
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Knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards and Office of Child Care (OCC)regulations
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