POSITION TITLE: Developmental Specialist STATUS: Exempt, FT GRADE: 3

DEPT: Early Childhood Services PROGRAM: Head Start

REPORTS TO: Mental Health Manager: Center Based SUPERVISES: N/A SALARY: $60K-$64K

SUMMARY: Assures the identification, support referrals, and appropriate intervention and services for children who may have a disability.

COLLABORATES WITH: Early Childhood Services team and Child Care Partners

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Knowledge of ASQ. ASQ/SE, ACES and Executive Function.
• Monitors ASQ and ASQ/SE compliance with childcare partner teachers.
• Work with teachers, teacher coaches, and center directors to identify children who may have developmental delays.
• Track referrals and services and monitor the implementation of a follow-up plan to meet any treatment needs associated with social emotional or developmental delays.
• Interprets complex laws, regulations and involvement with other organizations and school districts that provide services to children with disabilities.
• Build community relationships/partnerships to facilitate access to additional mental health resources and services at needed.
• Works with partner child care providers and mental health staff to implement policies, plans, and procedures to ensure the social emotional and physical safety and security of children.
• Works with teacher coaches to evaluate the training and technical assistance needs of each site.
• Collaborates with teacher coaches to create site specific training and/or coaching sessions.
• Coordinates quarterly meetings at each site to discuss child progress with each teacher in support of children with Individual Educational Plans (IEP).
• Provide support for effective classroom management and positive learning environments; supportive teachers practices, and strategies for supporting children with disabilities or suspected delays.
• Schedules and facilitates bi-annual staffing with each classroom teacher and support staff.
• Provides technical assistance and training presentations to families. Educate families on the referral process for additional services.
• Works with child care provider partners to recruit and meet required disabilities enrollment per Head Start Performance Standards.
• Coordinates training and technical assistance efforts with the Child Care Resource and Referrals Quality Team
• Works with teachers to implement Individual Educational Plans (IEP).
• Coordinates with Special Education liaison and transition planning due to children's age when exiting the program to public school.
• Maintains a strong understanding of Head Start Program Performance Standards, Head Start Curriculum, and ExceleRate Illinois as it relates to Disabilities and Mental Health

KEY DELIVERABLES:

• Meets or exceeds deliverables stated in the Head Start Contract
• Data and reporting entered accurately and on time within COPA
• Increases the level of teacher’s understanding of disabilities and mental health through training and technical assistance of staff and child care providers
• Actively participates in YWCA events and activities
• Promotes trauma informed practices with Head Start partners
• Builds and fosters relationships with child care providers and teachers
• Teaches child care providers to identify children with disabilities and social/emotional needs
• Strong understanding of Early Head Start and ExceleRate standards of quality

NON-ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Participate in administrative and program meetings, as appropriate. Participate in ongoing YWCA events and activities.

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED: Other duties outside of the responsibilities of the position may be assigned, whether for a project, special needs task or other assignment.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bilingual in Spanish and English preferred but not required.
• Effective communication skills -- oral and written -- and strong organizational, problem solving and time management skills.
• Experience working with children with disabilities and their families.
• Ability to pass a health examination and a criminal background check.
• A demonstrated ability to work independently, while prioritizing and managing multiple assignments simultaneously as needed.
• Must be able to travel.
• Ability to work nights and weekends as needed.
• Well-developed problem-solving, communication skills
• Excellent presentation skills incorporating all strategies for all learning areas
• Ability to adapt to change.
• Ability to work collaboratively with individuals from various education, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds.
• Thrives in an environment in which collaboration, partnership, and empowerment are the key cultural elements.

Professional Training Required: A minimum of fifteen (15) hours of professional training related to Early Childhood and/or to the responsibilities of the position is required annually.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:

• Alignment on the key deliverables
• Coachability and openness to developmental feedback
• Establish and meet deadlines
• Prioritization of tasks
• Optimization of efficiency
• Strong understanding of programs and overall mission of the YWCA
• Must become an ITN trainer within 1 year of employment with agency

EDUCATION REQUIRED: Bachelors Degree in social work or counseling field or equivalent in Special Education, Early Childhood Education, Child Development, with at least two courses in Special Education and the inclusion of children with disabilities, plus two courses in case management or the human services field

CERTIFICATION(s) REQUIRED:

OTHER REQUIREMENTS: _____________________________________________________________________________

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment includes offices; members and visitors may visit with children. The noise level is usually moderate. Movement requirements include walking, stooping or kneeling. There may be a need to reach, lift or move objects, such as packages, supplies and computers. Normal (or corrected) vision range; ability to see color and to distinguish letters, number.

s and symbols are necessary to the work, which may require close viewing. Occasionally may need to lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Communication needs include seeing, hearing and speaking. While in the office, there will be periods of sitting, holding a telephone and using computers. Reasonable accommodations will be made for an incumbent to meet the essential responsibilities of the position.

WORK SCHEDULE: Monday – Friday, 8:00 – 4:00 this position may require work on some evenings and weekends. schedule can vary depending on the needs of the agency.