Program Support Lead

The Program Support Lead is an essential member of our program team, ensuring quality and supportive care. The Program Support Lead works in collaboration with the Licensed Care Director and classroom teachers to observe, troubleshoot, coach, and implement strategies for participant behavior success. This role is integral in creating a safe, supportive environment through positive guidance and empathy. The Program Support Lead also supports the Licensed Care Director by helping create behavior plans and tracking incident reports. The Program Support Lead will support the Licensed Care Director with improving and maintaining quality processes and procedures related to Licensing, IQ4K, CACFP, Conscious Discipline, and PBIS.

In addition, the Program Support Lead will be a member of the PBIS team and trained as a trainer in Safety Care. The Program Support Lead will have or obtain all training requirements to meet licensing while in ratio in a classroom.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES

Behavior Support Responsibilities

• Provide direct in-class or pull-out behavior support to participants
• Coach and guide staff on behavior response strategies, implementing the ABC (Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence) model to build staff skills for managing similar situations independently.
• Offer timely feedback to staff on the completeness and accuracy of Safety Care Incident Reports, Behavior Incident Reports (BIRs), and Injury Reports.
• Use the ABC method to analyze triggers and outcomes of participant behaviors to create behavior plans.
• Review incident reports coordinating with the Director and Leads to address concerns and determine necessary support.
• Analyze incident data to identify patterns and track behavior both in PIDS and separately.
• Develop and implement Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), ensuring they align with agency behavior policies, PBIS, and the Pyramid Model.
• Maintain accurate BIP files and provide updates to the Licensed Care Director for family communication.
• Demonstrate schedule flexibility to effectively support the needs of classrooms, participants, and parents.
• Provide the Licensed Care Director with relevant information for behavior meetings and ensure individual plans are communicated to families.
• Share updates on participant progress, strategies, and other relevant information effectively with both families and teams.

Lead Responsibilities

• Support Licensed Care Director with administrative duties as needed.
• Act as an onsite supervisor, opening and / or closing programs as needed, when the Licensed Care is unavailable.

Training and Compliance Responsibilities

Complete all required annual training and renewals, including but not limited to:

• CPR, First Aid, Mandatory Reporting, Universal Precautions
• Safety Care Trained Trainer
• Professional growth and IQ4K-approved training (12 hours annually)
• Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS)
• HIPAA Compliance
• Social-Emotional Mental Health Training (6 hours annually)
• Medication Administration (13 hours, IACP Medication Manager certification)
• CACFP training
• D3 driving endorsement or ability to acquire.
• ISU-E’s Passport to Early Education (within 9 months of employment)
• Other trainings as assigned

Other Responsibilities

• Plan and facilitate PBIS trainings, meetings, and benchmarks in collaboration with leadership and the IQ4K Support Specialist.
• Provide classroom support as needed to maintain required staff-to-participant ratios.
• Collaborate with staff to address barriers or challenges faced by participants and families.
• Consult with professionals and community organizations to coordinate participant services while adhering to HIPAA regulations.
• Communicate with administrators, therapists, case managers, and other professionals to coordinate services.
• Represent the program at external community fairs and events.
• Monitor participant and family concerns and suggest ideas to improve services.

• At least 18 years of age
• Has obtained a high school diploma or passed a general education development test
• Certified in infant, child, and adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, and Iowa’s mandatory reporting of abuse (Hand in Hand will coordinate courses for certification if not yet obtained)
• Experience working with children of all abilities.
• At least 1 year of full-time employment in Early Care and Education OR 2 years of part-time employment in Early Care and Education OR a Bachelor’s degree in Early Care and Education OR an Associate’s degree in Early Care and Education and at least 6 months related employment.
• Meet all expectations required by the state licensing for an early childhood educator.
• Knowledge of the State of Iowa Childcare licensing rules and regulations.
• Ability to communicate clearly to children, adults, and coworkers.
• Enthusiasm and desire to positively impact the lives of young children.
• Experience using behavior modification techniques.
• Compassion and enthusiasm for creating and leading inclusive programs.
• Experience and competency with Microsoft Office software and other basic computer applications.