Developmental Specialist
Company: Centro De La Familia
Location: Grand Junction
Posted on: March 13, 2023
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Job Description:
Centro de la Familia -provides high-quality, comprehensive,
early childhood development and education services to children and
their families throughout Utah, Colorado, and Nevada. Our mission
is to promote the educational success of children and families
while fostering healthy and engaged communities. -Overview -Under
the direct supervision of the Disabilities Manager, supports
disability services at the center for children and families. Serves
as the case manager for children needing special services, and as
the team lead for children needing mental health services. Works
with the Education Specialist, Mental Health Specialist, and
Education team to support children with challenging behaviors.
Tracks behaviors, gathering data to complete a functional behavior
assessment and develop behavior support plans. Ensures IEPs/IFSPs
are developed in conjunction with local school districts and early
intervention agencies. Responsible for building strong working
relationships with parents and promoting parental involvement
throughout the special education process. Works with teaching staff
to promote social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development.
Facilitates referrals to community agencies for needed services.
-Key areas of responsibility -Manage all aspects of the
disabilities component area for the center in accordance with the
Head Start Act, Head Start Performance Standards, developmentally
appropriate practices, and special education best practices.Develop
collaborations with community partners and work with component area
managers to provide disabilities and mental health services and
resources to special needs children in the center.Routinely conduct
and document classroom observations of children with special needs
and work with teachers to ensure that lesson plan activities are
tailored to meet developmentally appropriate IEP/IFSP goals.Ensure
all children are properly screened and assessed for disabilities.
Work with teachers to ensure initial developmental screenings are
conducted for each child in a timely manner.Support teachers with
challenging behaviors, understand the function of behavior, collect
ABC data. Use ABC data and work with the ES to determine the
function of behaviors, work with MHS to develop behavior support
plans. Serve as the team leader in ensuring all children are
properly screened and assessed for mental health issues. Coordinate
regular visits from mental health professionals to the center. Work
with family service specialists to provide mental health services
to children and families.Ensure that children identified with
disabilities, delays, and/or concerns have effective Individual
Education Plans/Individual Family Service Plans (IEPs/IFSPs) that
include collaboration between parents, school districts, early
intervention agencies, and applicable specialists.Maintain
complete, accurate, and updated information using the approved
child and family information database for children in need of
special services. Maintain records of mental health services. Serve
as the primary point of contact for special needs and mental health
database information.Assist in transitions of children with special
needs. Includes transitions between Head Start centers, transitions
to and from early intervention programs, transitions to and from
school district programs, and transitions between classrooms within
the center.Attend IEP/IFSP eligibility meetings. Attend outside
agency evaluations of children upon parent request. Serve as
interpreter as required.Meet with parents and conduct home visits
for children with special needs. Provide parents with information
regarding their legal rights throughout the special education
process, obtain their permission for further evaluation or mental
health services, give suggestions for home activities, and follow
up on recommendations. Maintain confidentiality in matters
pertaining to parents and children.Participate in case reviews and
work in conjunction with other staff to develop plans to meet
IEP/IFSP goals.Provide training for teaching staff and parents as
needed regarding mental wellness, child development, and working
with children with disabilities.Submit written and/or database
reports as required.Stay current with early childhood disabilities
field of knowledge. Understand and support the implementation of
the Parent, Family, and Community Engagement (PFCE)
Framework.Perform other duties as assigned. -Qualifications
-Experience in Early Childhood Education, Special Education, Child
Development or related field, with emphasis in special education,
social work, and/or psychology. Bilingual English-Spanish
preferred. Physical requirements include extended periods of time
sitting or standing, ability to lift 50 lbs, ability to stoop,
bend, crawl, and perform other actions commonly associated with
caring for young children and infants and visiting families in
agricultural environments. -Competencies -Success in this position
requires competence in the following areas:Strong verbal and
written communication skillsTeam buildingMentoringRelationship
buildingGroup presentationsAttention to detailOrganization and
prioritizationStrong interpersonal
skillsEnthusiasmDecisivenessMicrosoft OfficeConfidenceAbility to
work independently and as part of a teamCultural competenceOngoing
professional developmentPowered by JazzHR
Keywords: Centro De La Familia, Grand Junction , Developmental Specialist, Other , Grand Junction, Colorado
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