What are the responsibilities and job description for the Early Development Network Services Coordinator position at Westside Community Schools?
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Under general supervision from a supervisor, the services coordinator is responsible for the identification, referral and coordination of early intervention services for children and families. The services coordinator also serves as the single point of contact in helping parents gain needed services and assistance, liaising between the school district and the community. This position is year-round and requires the employee to maintain a schedule that is flexible, and responsive to parent needs.
DEPARTMENT: Special Services—Early Childhood Special Education
DIRECT ACCOUNTABILITY: Reports to the Director of Special Services; Coordinator of Early Childhood Special Education
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree preferred. Two years experience in a health and/or human services field, or any combination of education and experience that equates to two years in human services, behavioral sciences, social sciences, or closely related field. Must have experience working with families of children with special needs, young children, infants and toddlers; experience with a broad variety of community agencies that provide services to young children with disabilities and families; and experience working with culturally diverse families.
DUTIES:
- Conducts home visits with the family to review intake information and establish rapport.
- Secures information releases to facilitate sharing of information and notifies referral source of the referral outcome, with the permission of the family.
- Maintains ongoing communication with referral source and other contacts as requested by the family.
- Identifies family needs, strengths and priorities on a continuing basis.
- Advocates for the family to ensure family priorities remain the driving force behind the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP).
- Assists the family in forming the IFSP team and gaining access to services.
- Serves as liaison between the family and service providers relative to the needs of the family, while at the same time encouraging the family to take this role.
- Assists the family in identifying gaps in services and relaying that information to the IFSP team and other agencies.
- Works with the family to develop strengths and skills needed to support the child with the disability. Facilitates and supports parents’ advocacy skills.
- Maintains current information base regarding services available within the community.
- Develops and maintains interagency contacts.
- Coordinates and chairs IFSP team meetings and conducts appropriate follow-up to assure Plan implementation (initial, periodic reviews and others).
- Completes, updates and disseminates IFSP and Family Assessment documents following confidentiality and time frame guidelines.
- Facilitates communication between family and IFSP team and other service providers.
- Facilitates problem solving and the collaboration of team members around changing needs and assists in modifying the IFSP.
- Serves as mediator for addressing and managing conflicts among families, agencies, and service providers.
- Facilitates the development of a transition plan.
- Maintains record of contacts with families and agencies, including monitoring progress toward IFSP goals/outcomes and service delivery and recording further follow-up needed, in accordance to DHHS guidance, policies and regulations.
- Maintains required data and confidential records.
ENTRY KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS REQUIRED:
- Knowledge of: child development; the uniqueness of families; community resources and how to access them; family systems model; empowerment theory; family-centered services; interagency collaboration; affirming minority families and their cultural diversity.
- Ability to: work with families as equal partners; work with a team, including dynamics of group interaction, conflict resolution and process evaluation; make team members feel comfortable and valued; communicate with people from a variety of backgrounds and education levels; network with other professionals; understand the need for confidentiality and abide by all acceptable standards in safeguarding service coordination records and all service activity involving the family; organize records and make them understandable to others.
- Skill in: listening, interviewing and conversational techniques.
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS REQUIRED (these may be acquired on the job and are needed to perform the work assigned):
- Knowledge of: family dynamics; disabilities and current practices in the field of developmental disabilities; support groups and volunteers; the influence of culture on family structure, individual and group relationships and child rearing practices; American racial/ethnic minority groups (i.e., African American, Native American, Hispanic/Latino American, and Asian American).
- Demonstrates ability and skill proficiency in: collaboratively working with families of children with special needs, young children, infants and/or toddlers; interviewing/assessment techniques in family-centered manner; effective communication skills; interagency collaboration; clear, objective, factual documentation of service provision as required by regulation; mediation and conflict resolution skills; adherence to all standards of confidentiality.
