Disabilities Coordinator (3285)

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) envisions a world where children are safe, families are strong, and communities are vibrant. 

LSF is looking for a talented Disabilities Coordinator who wants to make an impact in the lives of others.

The schedule for this position is Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm.

Purpose & Impact:

The purpose of the Disabilities Coordinator is to work with Child Health and Safety Manager to plan, coordinate and monitor compliance with the Head Start Performance Standards and Florida licensing laws. Assists with the completion of the child health requirements and other required screenings and assessments. Plans, develops, and implements training for education staff, parents, and volunteers in collaboration with HS/EHS staff development team. Participates in the HS/EHS Quality Assurance efforts.

Essential Functions:

• Works with Family & Community Engagement Specialists in encouraging parents to adhere to medical, dental, screenings, nutrition and ensure follow-up treatments are completed within established federal guidelines.
• Organizes and participates in team functions of planning, implementing, and evaluating family health goals and objectives.
• Assists Child Health and Safety Manager in disability planning. Monitors, guides and provides advice to families and staff who work with infants/toddlers with disability concerns.
• Works cooperatively with local agencies to assist families to link up with services in the local community.
• Assists with the completion of the required child screenings and assessments and is familiar with referral requirements. May assist in recruiting prospective families and assists with the enrollment process through coordinating and facilitating pre-staffing for children with disability concerns. 
• Coordinates implementation of health and individual treatment plans. May provide parent consultation, and coordinate care between parent/staff/physician. 
• Conducts and documents follow-up on all referrals to ensure that needs of the child are met.
• While respecting family confidentiality regularly shares information with teachers to ensure coordinated services that meet the needs of individual children and families.
• Provides disability management activities to parents, as appropriate.
• Develops a working knowledge of community resources, and visits, at least annually, with major agencies for service delivery updates and community resource guide updates.
• Assists in interpreting and implementing federal performance standards. Participates in the development and revisions to the Parent & Staff Health Handbook specifically the area of disability.
• Attends parent/teacher conferences as requested.
• Assists in ensuring the health and safety of children enrolled in the Childcare Homes option.
• Enters data into Child Plus (Head Start/Early Head Start specific software) regarding critical disability and notes. Documents all efforts to assist families, track child's efforts and outcomes, records, monitors and follows up on referrals, and submits reports as required.
• Monitors and rescreens developmental and behavioral screeners and compiles a list of children who have been or will be referred to Early Steps and/or Child Find based on the developmental and behavioral screening results and provides a list to administrative staff for record-keeping with data entry into Child Plus and reporting to external agencies as applicable. Refers children to local community agencies if there is a concern for services if needed.
• Maintains strict confidentiality at all times, including the ability to recognize situations in which confidentiality is required.
• Attends all workshops and meetings as deemed necessary by the Child Health and Safety Manager.
• Attends all required staff and parent meetings and activities.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education: 

bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Special Education, ESE, or Behavior-related field. Training or course work in early childhood education and children with special needs is a plus. Applicant must have a working knowledge of Florida’s health care providers and community resources related to ESE, or Disabilities services. Must possess working knowledge of computer, word processing, spreadsheets, and software (MS Word, MS Access, MS Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) 

Experience: 

At least two years of experience working in an ESE\School District, Early Head Start, Head Start, or a social services environment that serves culturally diverse low-income children and families. Experience working with comprehensive record-keeping systems. Start/Early Head Start experience preferred. As is the ability to identify special needs children.

Bilingual preferred: English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the local area. Also required: Successful completion of a Level II background screening, local criminal record check, and drug screening before hiring.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of human development and health.
• Knowledge of social services and health services available in the area.
• Knowledge of computer data entry processes.
• Knowledge of family-centered practices.
• Ability to communicate ideas and instructions orally and in writing.
• Ability to write reports and business correspondence.
• Ability to speak before groups of individuals, such as Committees and Staff meetings.
• Ability to calculate amounts by adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, and figuring percentages.
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of instructions.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to make recommendations and develop implementation strategies.
• Computer skills, including MS Office Suite (Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

Why work for LSF?

LSF offers 60 programs across the state of Florida serving a wide range of populations in need. Mission Driven staff members become part of the LSF community while transforming the lives of those in need. Our staff additionally find growth opportunities as they explore areas of interest within the organization.  

Amazing benefits package including:

• Medical, Dental and Vision
• Telehealth (24/7 online access to Doctors)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employer paid life insurance (1X salary)
• 13 paid holidays 1 floating holiday
• Generous PTO policy (starting at 16 working days a year)
• Note: Head Start employees paid time off and holiday schedule may differ
• 403(b) Retirement plan with 3% discretionary employer match OR 3% student loan repayment reimbursement
• Tuition reimbursement

LSF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.