What are the responsibilities and job description for the Early Intervention Specialist position at Cleveland Sight Center?
POSITION: Early Intervention Specialist
DEPARTMENT: Education Services
EEO JOB CATEGORY: Professional
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
REPORTS TO: Manager of Early Childhood Services
Position Overview
Through the provision of special education services of children (ages birth to the third birthday) with visual impairments and their families, and, under the supervision of the Manager of Early Childhood Services, implement the philosophy and services of CSC’s Early Intervention program and the CSC Department of Education. The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Essential Functions:
Primarily through home visits, conduct initial child assessments and reassessments annually (or within 12 months of previous assessment). Review all available medical, educational and/or other relevant information. Write reports, review with families, and upload to electronic health record.
Determine child and family service needs. Make relevant referrals to community or partner agencies including county HMG/Early Intervention programs. Maintain appropriate communication within CSC and with other agencies servicing the child and/or family.
For families without reliable access to technology, assist in obtaining all registration paperwork from families at intake and subsequent updated releases of information throughout duration of EI services. Collect any additional papers that require signatures from parents and upload to electronic health record.
Write and implement Individualized Service Plans for child/family after initial assessment and update every 6 months with family OR for children on whose IFSPs you are on the grid of services with local county EI programs, ensure accuracy of our services/credentials and keep current/active copy in electronic health record. Participate with county partners in all aspects of IFSP development and services as appropriate. Follow guidelines as they change over time with state guidance and the varying ways counties interpret and implement state guidance. Flexibility is necessary.
Write all necessary client assessment reports, service plans, or other data/reports and correspondence within expected timelines set by Manager. Enter case notes per agency standard timeline. Maintain client files according to agency and CARF guidelines. All documents should be uploaded into the electronic health record with appropriate staff signatures and with all information filled in prior to uploading.
Develop and implement center-based class (if appropriate) and home lesson plans, strategies/interventions. Provide instruction and training to children and families within home, center (CSC) or a community-based setting where child spends significant amounts of time. May accompany a family to an eye doctor appointment or other medical appointments that are critical to the child’s overall coordination of services. Virtual services may also be offered if appropriate.
Assist the Program Coordinator with the accurate tracking of items loaned to families from the EI lending library. EI staff may loan items to families on their caseloads according to individual child needs. May require that the EIS secures a signed loan agreement if family is not able to complete it electronically. Also ensure that loaned items are returned to CSC EI lending library at completion of EI services.
Initiate and assist, as needed, in the coordination of EI clients accessing financial assistance for eligible items such as eyeglasses from CSC Clinic. EIS communicates directly with the optometrist in CSC Clinic and the family to coordinate fulfillment of prescription glasses for children on EIS caseloads.
Participate in transition planning and attend the Transition Planning Conferences, (ETR and IEP meetings at request of parents, when possible) for children on your caseload to ensure smooth transitions to special education preschools or other programs of parents’ choosing. Coordinate with CSC Children’s Case Manager as appropriate.
Coordinate and collaborate with supervisor on needed support for children/families on your caseload and advice regarding any barriers to service provision.
Assist supervisor with identification of children to register for Federal Quota (FQ), help obtain necessary forms to support the registration from parents/guardians (if needed) throughout the year. Also register eligible children for the Deaf-Blind census with parent permission.
Provide public education through written materials, virtually, and/or make public presentations when requested by supervisor.
Attend seminars, workshops or classes to maintain current certification and/or to acquire training and certification in assessment and intervention methods of working with children with visual impairments related to Early Intervention procedures and models, Pre-braille/Braille, Orientation & Mobility, CVI (Neurological Visual Impairments) and other relevant topics in the education of infants, toddlers and preschoolers with visual impairments.
EI staff with TVI or COMS credential(s) may be expected to assist colleagues and co-workers in CSC’s Department of Education as needed or necessary. Staff with TVI or COMS certification will support EIS colleagues without those licensures with child assessments such as FVAs, CVI assessments, or O&M assessments (for children not on the TVI’s nor COMS’s own caseloads). The TVI or COMS will provide services as determined necessary based on those assessments (ex: O/M assessment may determine a need for cane instruction services on an IFSP).
According to program philosophy, Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, Ohio Department of Children & Youth, and CARF regulations, organize and maintain appropriate and sanitized instructional materials and supplies.
DEPARTMENT: Education Services
EEO JOB CATEGORY: Professional
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
REPORTS TO: Manager of Early Childhood Services
Position Overview
Through the provision of special education services of children (ages birth to the third birthday) with visual impairments and their families, and, under the supervision of the Manager of Early Childhood Services, implement the philosophy and services of CSC’s Early Intervention program and the CSC Department of Education. The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Essential Functions:
Primarily through home visits, conduct initial child assessments and reassessments annually (or within 12 months of previous assessment). Review all available medical, educational and/or other relevant information. Write reports, review with families, and upload to electronic health record.
Determine child and family service needs. Make relevant referrals to community or partner agencies including county HMG/Early Intervention programs. Maintain appropriate communication within CSC and with other agencies servicing the child and/or family.
For families without reliable access to technology, assist in obtaining all registration paperwork from families at intake and subsequent updated releases of information throughout duration of EI services. Collect any additional papers that require signatures from parents and upload to electronic health record.
Write and implement Individualized Service Plans for child/family after initial assessment and update every 6 months with family OR for children on whose IFSPs you are on the grid of services with local county EI programs, ensure accuracy of our services/credentials and keep current/active copy in electronic health record. Participate with county partners in all aspects of IFSP development and services as appropriate. Follow guidelines as they change over time with state guidance and the varying ways counties interpret and implement state guidance. Flexibility is necessary.
Write all necessary client assessment reports, service plans, or other data/reports and correspondence within expected timelines set by Manager. Enter case notes per agency standard timeline. Maintain client files according to agency and CARF guidelines. All documents should be uploaded into the electronic health record with appropriate staff signatures and with all information filled in prior to uploading.
Develop and implement center-based class (if appropriate) and home lesson plans, strategies/interventions. Provide instruction and training to children and families within home, center (CSC) or a community-based setting where child spends significant amounts of time. May accompany a family to an eye doctor appointment or other medical appointments that are critical to the child’s overall coordination of services. Virtual services may also be offered if appropriate.
Assist the Program Coordinator with the accurate tracking of items loaned to families from the EI lending library. EI staff may loan items to families on their caseloads according to individual child needs. May require that the EIS secures a signed loan agreement if family is not able to complete it electronically. Also ensure that loaned items are returned to CSC EI lending library at completion of EI services.
Initiate and assist, as needed, in the coordination of EI clients accessing financial assistance for eligible items such as eyeglasses from CSC Clinic. EIS communicates directly with the optometrist in CSC Clinic and the family to coordinate fulfillment of prescription glasses for children on EIS caseloads.
Participate in transition planning and attend the Transition Planning Conferences, (ETR and IEP meetings at request of parents, when possible) for children on your caseload to ensure smooth transitions to special education preschools or other programs of parents’ choosing. Coordinate with CSC Children’s Case Manager as appropriate.
Coordinate and collaborate with supervisor on needed support for children/families on your caseload and advice regarding any barriers to service provision.
Assist supervisor with identification of children to register for Federal Quota (FQ), help obtain necessary forms to support the registration from parents/guardians (if needed) throughout the year. Also register eligible children for the Deaf-Blind census with parent permission.
Provide public education through written materials, virtually, and/or make public presentations when requested by supervisor.
Attend seminars, workshops or classes to maintain current certification and/or to acquire training and certification in assessment and intervention methods of working with children with visual impairments related to Early Intervention procedures and models, Pre-braille/Braille, Orientation & Mobility, CVI (Neurological Visual Impairments) and other relevant topics in the education of infants, toddlers and preschoolers with visual impairments.
EI staff with TVI or COMS credential(s) may be expected to assist colleagues and co-workers in CSC’s Department of Education as needed or necessary. Staff with TVI or COMS certification will support EIS colleagues without those licensures with child assessments such as FVAs, CVI assessments, or O&M assessments (for children not on the TVI’s nor COMS’s own caseloads). The TVI or COMS will provide services as determined necessary based on those assessments (ex: O/M assessment may determine a need for cane instruction services on an IFSP).
According to program philosophy, Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, Ohio Department of Children & Youth, and CARF regulations, organize and maintain appropriate and sanitized instructional materials and supplies.
Qualifications:
Minimum of two years of experience is required working with Early Intervention (birth-3) or children under age 5 with disabilities. A combination of education, years of experience, and certifications will be considered. Must have a valid driver’s license in the State of Ohio with daily access to an insured vehicle.
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Special Education or related field, Master’s Degree preferred
Certification:
Licensure as a Teacher for the Visually Impaired (TVI) or Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist (COMS) in Ohio is preferred
If not already certified as a TVI/COMS, you must commit to enroll in a TVI or COMS credentialed program within 60 days of hire and complete agency agreement of terms. Ohio currently offers tuition free programs for eligible individuals.
Minimum of two years of experience is required working with Early Intervention (birth-3) or children under age 5 with disabilities. A combination of education, years of experience, and certifications will be considered. Must have a valid driver’s license in the State of Ohio with daily access to an insured vehicle.
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Special Education or related field, Master’s Degree preferred
Certification:
Licensure as a Teacher for the Visually Impaired (TVI) or Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist (COMS) in Ohio is preferred
If not already certified as a TVI/COMS, you must commit to enroll in a TVI or COMS credentialed program within 60 days of hire and complete agency agreement of terms. Ohio currently offers tuition free programs for eligible individuals.
