Early Intervention Specialist - Baltimore City Head Start

POSITION SUMMARY: 

This 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:

• 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.

• Parent Engagement:  Development of family goals related to child’s IEP and/or behavioral needs.

• Community Partnerships: Ongoing management and coordination of mental health services with consultants and educational services with local education agencies.

• Recordkeeping & Reporting:  myHeadStart/ COPA

• Supervision:  Supervise/monitor services provided by Mental Health Clinicians, Mental Health Interns and Special Education Consultant. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Planning

• 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.  

• Work closely with the Early Intervention Program and other community programs to recruit and enroll eligible children into Head Start/Early Head Start.

• Establish and utilize a referral process for any suspected disability/mental health concerns, including a tracking system for follow-up. 

• Ensure individualized services are effectively provided to children with diagnosed or suspected disabilities and/or mental health concerns.

• Establish policies and procedures for implementation of the Head Start Disabilities/Mental Health services into the program with parents and associates.

• 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.

• Provide associates with information, guidance, and resources needed to help children and families meet the individualized goals and objectives in IDEA and ADA.

• Upon parental approval; ensure attendance of designated Head Start associates at the SST/IEP/IFSP process.

• 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.

• Work with the Senior Executive Director to ensure the program maintains a level of fiscal support to children with special needs consistent with IDEA.

• Assist Director of Family Services in compiling current resources and information related to disabilities/mental health services.

• Complete annual service plan for area of responsibility.

• Implement a system of continuous monitoring and evaluation of activities.

Ongoing Monitoring and Recordkeeping

• 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.

• Tracks disabilities, transition efforts and outcomes on individual and center-wide basis, analyzes data and makes program development recommendations to the leadership team.

• Ensure compliance with Head Start program standards for children with disabilities/mental health, health, and transition.

• Monitors budget for Disabilities/Mental Health service area 

• Records, monitors and follows up on referrals for support services for reporting requirements.  

• Submits reports as needed and requested, such as monthly summary tracking reports, etc.

• Understands, generates and documents in-kind and other available costs applied toward the non-federal share requirements.

• Attends parent committee and other meetings as requested.

• Maintain filing, tracking and documentation systems for the disabilities/mental health service area and ensure confidentiality of child and family records

  Parent Engagement 

• Provides parents with information and assistance in understanding and advocating for services and support needed to address their child’s special needs.

• 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.

• 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.

  Community Partnerships

• 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.

• 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.

• Assists in locating, setting up, and accessing contract services on community resources for children with special needs and initiates community partnership agreements.

• 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.

• Manage and coordinate mental health services provided by consultants.

General Duties 

• Participate in staff meetings, conferences, training sessions and workshops as assigned.

• Maintain confidentiality in regards to staff and family information.

• Fulfill role as mandated reporter as stated in Child Abuse and Neglect Policy.

• Perform any other work-related duties as requested by your supervisor.

• Be present at work in order to provide consistency of services.

• Be a contributory team member in a positive/productive manner.

• Demonstrate commitment to mission, values, and policies in the performance of daily duties.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have experience in securing and individualizing need services for children with disabilities/mental health concerns

• Must obtain a criminal background check.

• Must have a valid driver’s license.

• Must have access to reliable transportation.

• Must obtain a copy of driving record annually and maintain a clean driving record in order to drive an agency vehicle. 

• Basic computer literacy in email, word processing and internet navigation   

• Maintain certification in CPR and First Aid.

Education & Experience

• BS in Early Intervention, Special Education, Child Development

• MSW, MA in Early Intervention, Special Education related are preferred

• Early Head Start, Head Start experience preferred

Certifications/Required Training

• Obtain certification in CPR and First Aid

• Medication Administration

• Knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards and Office of Child Care (OCC)regulations