POSITION: Inclusion Specialist (Early Learning)

REPORTS TO: Inclusion and Mental Health Manager

PROGRAM SUMMARY: Easterseals Head Start/Early Head Start provides high-quality, family centered education for children birth to five years old. We collaborate with 40+ early childhood programs located in the city of Chicago and suburban Cook County to promote school readiness in young children of all abilities from families with incomes below poverty guidelines. Easterseals also directly operates two Early Learning Centers in Head Start/Early Head Start in Chicago and in Hickory Hills.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Inclusion and Mental Health Manager, provides expertise, training, and consultation in disability services for Easterseals Early Learning services in compliance with the Head Start Program Performance Standards, the Head Start Act, and the Illinois State Board of Education requirements. The Inclusion Specialist, in collaboration with the Inclusion and Mental Health Manager, develops and monitors systems for identification, referral and planning for children with behavioral and developmental concerns. The Inclusion Specialist is responsible for the delivery of disability services, including classroom observations and disability education to families, training to staff, and referrals of parents and children.

$2,000 Sign On Bonus

MAJOR FUNCTIONS/ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Planning and Program Services:

• Support sites and staff in building their skill and attitudinal capacity to embrace the full
  inclusion of children with disabilities in their programs.
• Assist in the development of policies, procedures, and plans and the implementation of
  systems to ensure consistent, high quality disability services at all Early Learning Services programs in accordance with best practices and all funder and regulatory requirements.
• Work collaboratively with internal and external partners to ensure the appropriate and timely identification of children with special needs.
• Ensure the timely assessment of special education/related services needs to children with disabilities, conducted in coordination with the Part C agency and/or LEA; utilizing development screening data as a guide in the assessment process.
• Assist in modifying activities; removing barriers; and providing support, as needed, for the inclusion of children with disabilities in the full range of program activities.
• Coordinate with the Health and Nutrition Manager and site team staff to ensure that children with suspected or diagnosed health disabilities, including children with special feeding/dietary needs, receive individualized services.
• Conduct Classroom and Individual Child Observations to prepare documentation for referrals and to work collaboratively with the Instructional Coaches to provide feedback with individualized strategies for children with disabilities to implement in classrooms.
• Provide training to staff, teachers and parents in the area of disabilities services in accordance with best practices and funder and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in Parent Orientation.
• Assist in program planning for disability services based on analysis of child, program,
  and family outcomes.
• Participate on the School Readiness Team and the development and implementation of the School Readiness Plan as part of an integrated expanded Leadership Team.
• Participate in program planning and implementation of all service areas as part of an integrated leadership team.
• Participate in enrollment and recruitment as part of the Head Start/Early Head Start Team and ensure that the program is fully enrolled, including 10% children with disabilities.
• Participate in the self-assessment process and strategic planning. Record Keeping, Reporting and Communication:
• Track screenings, referrals, IEP’s, and IFSPs.
• Ensure disability information is entered into Child Plus in a timely manner.
• Prepare monthly reports with updates and progress of children served.
• Participate in regularly scheduled content area, and other meetings.
• Travel to Easterseals and partner sites regularly.
  Ongoing Monitoring:
• Assist in the development and implementation of a system to ensure that all children
  that are identified as needing developmental assessments from early intervention
  services and school districts receive support in a timely manner.
• Assist in the development and implementation of SRT meetings.
• Complete documentation, tracking, and reporting to ensure 45 day developmental
  screenings/referrals are in compliance.
• Implement and participate in monitoring systems for ensuring the active supervision and
  safety of children so that no child is ever left alone or unsupervised. Human Resources:
• Implement reflective and relationship based practices.
• Collaborate and provide guidance to the Instructional Coaches, Education, Inclusion
  and Mental Health team, and Inclusion Classroom Assistants in the area of disabilities
  services.
• All other duties as assigned.

Education/Certification:

• Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Special Education, Early Childhood Education, or related field.

Experience Required:

• 5 years of experience working with children with disabilities.
• 2-3 years of experience helping children and families to obtain specialized services.
• 2-3 years of experience guiding others to embrace inclusive practices in educational settings.
• 2-3 years of early childhood experience.
• Experience in Head Start/Early Head Start preferred.
• Ages & Stages Developmental screening tool preferred.
• Early Screening Inventory Developmental screening tool preferred.

Required Knowledge:

• Early Childhood Development.
• Head Start Program Performance Standards.
• MS Office.

Vehicle/Transportation Requirements:

• Valid driver’s license. Auto insurance. Reliable vehicle.

Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to demonstrate cultural competence and sensitivity while using reflective practices with a diverse population.
• Ability to foster and encourage change in a respectful and supportive manner.
• Able to work well with all levels of the organization, partner sites, other agencies and
  funding source personnel.
• Demonstrates the ability to conceptualize and articulate program outcomes.
• Well organized, highly detail oriented and accuracy driven.
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

ADA: Easterseals will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disability Act of 1990. Unless exempted by the Americans with Disabilities Act, all persons hired for this position are required to possess the ability to perform the physical tasks necessary to treat clients, i.e., bending, floor-sitting, etc., as well as to have the ability to lift up to 50 pounds frequently.

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