Early Intervention Specialist - Baltimore City Head Start

Overwhelmingly, people who decide they want to be a part of the Y in Central Maryland tell us they do so because it reflects their values and a conscious decision, they’ve made about how they choose to live their lives. The happiest and most fulfilled Y associates are those who are motivated to help others and who want to be a part of something larger than themselves. If this speaks to your heart, then we invite you to join our team. Be a part of a charitable, mission-driven organization that works for individual and community well-being for all, for a better us.

At the Y in Central Maryland, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth. Enjoy flexible schedules, competitive pay, and generous paid time off, alongside medical, dental and vision benefits, as well as dependent care FSA. We offer a generous employer contribution to the Y retirement fund, and opportunities for career advancement. Our commitment to fostering a positive work environment means you'll have access to training and development programs that align with our mission to empower individuals and strengthen communities. Join us and bring your passion to a fulfilling career where you can truly make a difference!

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

The Y in Central Maryland provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment. Moreover, the Y is firmly committed to celebrating and achieving diversity and inclusion in all we do. We strive to be an anti-racist organization and expect all associates to treat others with respect, kindness and dignity, at all times. Thank you for considering working for the Y in Central Maryland. If being a part of our cause feels right for you, we hope you will join us.

All Y associates agree to abide by The Code of Conduct with Youth that sets clear expectations for associates and volunteers to ensure a safe and respectful environment for young people. It emphasizes treating youth with respect and fairness, avoiding inappropriate physical or verbal interactions, and adhering to established standards of affection. The policy strictly prohibits any form of abuse, bullying, or harassment and mandates the reporting of suspected mistreatment. Additionally, associates and volunteers must complete training on child abuse prevention and comply with legal reporting requirements to safeguard youth.