What are the responsibilities and job description for the Inclusion Manager position at Southern Kennebec Childhood Development Corp?
Position Summary:
The Disabilities / Mental Health Manager ensures delivery of early intervention/special education and mental health services as required by federal and state law, federal Head Start performance standards and state and local licensing regulations; applies professional expertise in child development, special education and mental health services to all aspects of service delivery for children and families; works in coordination with all other content areas in order to provide quality assurance, training and compliance monitoring in an inclusive early childhood environment and assists in policy and procedure development, Agency and inter-Agency collaboration and tracking of services.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assume the lead to ensure the delivery of all services defined within the Disabilities Service and Mental Health Plans, in conjunction with Child Development Services (CDS), other providers and in partnership with parents.
- Develop, facilitate and review annually the implementation of inter-Agency agreements with Child Development Services (CDS), mental health consultants/agencies and other applicable early intervention special service providers to ensure meeting agreement requirements. Communicate regularly with Child Development Services (CDS) and with other early intervention specialists. Monitor and facilitate consultation with CDS. Track, monitor and document billing to CDS for Special Education/Early Intervention as applicable, and submit to fiscal monthly.
- Work with other managers to plan, organize, coordinate, oversee, and evaluate disabilities services to ensure consistent implementation of services for children with disabilities.
- Provide classroom observations, technical assistance and recommendations to managers/center teams relative to inclusion and needed accommodations and modifications to classroom programs.
- Track and monitor classroom teams relative to Early Intervention and Special Education Services documentation implementation, progress reports and goal/objective review.
- Monitor classroom placement of children identified with disabilities to ensure Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) and Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) services.
- Update the Disabilities Service and Mental Health Services Plans annually to ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and Agency?s goals and objectives.
- Communicate regularly with program managers and other content area managers to ensure the coordination of disabilities and mental health services.
- Keep current with the provisions of Part B and Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Chapter 101 - Maine Unified Special Education Regulations Birth - 20.
- Track and monitor 45-day screening, referral and evaluation process of children relative to IDEA 0-5 and Head Start Regulations.
- Develop and implement specific training and sensory screening tools relative to disabilities and the needs of classroom teams and population served.
- Monitor and ensure assigned consultant orientation and license requirements are current.
- Take the lead with mental health consultants and support managers to access consultants as appropriate.
- Participate in the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)/Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings, as needed, to help develop the IFSP/IEP with CDS, parents, other staff and service providers for children with disabilities. Monitor the implementation of the IFSP/IEP with the support of managers.
- Collaborate with the community to develop and promote training that enhances staff and parents skill in implementing services for children with disabilities and/or mental health needs.
- Represent the Agency at and/or facilitates community boards, meetings, and committees to gather and share information, coordinate and advocate for services, and enhance partnerships.
- Provide leadership in the development, implementation, and fostering of transition plans/activities for children with disabilities and their families within the Agency and in collaboration with CDS and public school personnel to ensure smooth transition.
- Review and analyze applicable Agency programs, policies, and procedures and recommend changes to correct identified problem areas and continually improve effectiveness and efficiency of disabilities and mental health services for children and their families.
- Monitor on site therapy at centers.
- Participate in the Employee Selection Committee, as needed, in screening, interviewing and hiring applicable program staff. Comply with human resource laws, policies, procedures, and practices, including: EEO/AA, recruitment, employment, position classification, training, and employee safety to ensure fair and equal treatment of personnel. Support program managers in determining appropriate action concerning employee/partner performance, interim disciplinary action or termination, or recommendation of partnership termination, to ensure quality services to and safety of children and families.
- Ensure the DOE/CDS Program Approval is kept current.
Non-Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
To maintain a commitment to professionalism:
- Join the Maine Roads To Quality Registry.
- Attend meetings, staff pre and in service trainings, and other trainings, as required.
- Provide leadership and maintain effective working relationships with staff, parents, consultants and the general public.
- Practice reliability and dependability and maintain a professional attitude in all aspects of employment, as outlined in the Agency?s Operation Plan and the Code of Conduct.
- Maintain accurate organized paperwork as defined by policy and procedure.
- Engage in ongoing staff development to improve personal and professional skills.
General Expectations:
- Promote and commit to the philosophy and mission of SKCDC.
- Adhere to attendance requirements.
- Work in harmonious relationships with all employees, applicants, co-workers, management, clients, community partners and visitors.
- Maintain confidentiality and protect the Agency by keeping information concerning clients, employees and the Agency itself confidential.
- Client-Centered Focus: Conduct that demonstrates commitment to providing excellent service to recipients of SKCDC services.
- Personal and Professional Conduct: Actions characterize high ethical and moral standards and behavior towards others at work and that portray the organization in a positive and professional manner.
- Teamwork: Conduct through which working relationships are effectively established and continuously improved.
- Initiative/Creativity: Conduct demonstrating originality and imagination to identify new, efficient, useful methods or improvements to implement SKCDC philosophy.
- Technology: Use technology effectively, as appropriate to the position.
- Comply with human resource laws, policies, procedures, and practices.
Physical Requirements:
The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by the Incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; repetitively use hands to finger, handle, or feel, including operation of a standard computer keyboard; reach with hands and arms and talk, see and hear; and lift and carry up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those the incumbent encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work is performed primarily in office settings, including visits to SKCDC locations. Noise level is moderate. Frequent in state travel by car, and occasional out of state travel.
Qualifications Needed for Position:
Experience and Skill Requirements: The following experience and skills are considered essential:
- Minimum of two years of paid experience in inclusive early care and education.
- Minimum of three years of supervisory experience.
- Ability to direct, oversee, monitor and evaluate the work of others.
- Ability to collect and analyze information, reach logical conclusions and make sound decisions and recommendations.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
- Ability to participate fully in the planning, development, oversight, monitoring and evaluation of Agency programs.
- Ability to implement program policies, goals and objectives.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
- Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and requirements as these apply to the administration and implementation of all aspects of identifying and serving children with disabilities.
- Knowledge of Agency programs, policies, procedures, and guidelines.
- Knowledge of child development theory and principles; and family dynamics.
- Knowledge of staff development theories and principles.
- Knowledge of modern management theory, principles, and practices.
- Knowledge of IDEA Part B and Part C.
- Knowledge of Chapter 101 ? Maine Unified Special Education Regulations Birth - 20.
- Must have knowledge of computer applications relative to the software utilized by the Agency and a general knowledge of computer functions.
- Must possess a valid Maine driver?s license with a good driving record and must have an adequately insured vehicle, if conducting Agency business.
Minimum Education Requirements: The following education requirements are considered essential:
- Bachelor?s degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or related degree including at least 18 credits in special education and a full 282 (0 ? age 5) endorsement is a plus, cross-training in Human/Family Services.