Developmental Specialist

Company: Centro De La Familia
Location: Grand Junction
Posted on: March 13, 2023

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