DescriptionThinks, communicates and behaves as a cause-driven leader and role model for other staff and members when it comes to desired staff behaviors; promotes youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility in all job-related functions. Service to Children
- Coordinates the recruitment of children with disabilities into the program with other staff and community agencies.
- Establishes a referral process for any suspected mental health concerns, including a tracking system for follow-up.
- Work with teaching staff to ensure that individualized services are effectively provided to a child with diagnosed or suspected disabilities, IEP, and/or mental health concern.
- Establishes policies and procedures for implementation of the Head Start Disabilities/Mental Health component into the program with parents and staff.
- Modifies activities, removes barriers, and provides support as needed for inclusion of children with disabilities/mental health concerns in the full range of program activities.
- Provides staff with the information, guidance, and resources needed to help children and families meet the individualized goals and objectives in IDEA and ADA.
- Works closely together with appropriate staff to ensure that the special needs of each child are met, including health, nutrition, mental health, and education. Create and monitor agency intervention plans.
- Directly supervises the Behavior Specialist to better coordinate services and resources.
- Acts as the liaison to our contracted partners at St. Vincent's Family Center and Nationwide Children's to facilitate support services and training.
Parent Involvement
- Ensure parents are involved in intervention plan and strategies created for children in classroom, along with teaching staff.
- Provides parents with information and assistance in understanding and advocating for services and support needed to address their child's special needs.
- Provides Transitional services to Head Start families in cooperation with other agencies/providers, including providing referrals of parents and children to other agencies/providers as needed.Community Partnerships
- Ensures the timely assessment of special education and/or related services needs of children with disabilities in coordination with the Part C agency and/or LEA.
- Develops and implements a strategy which supports a successful transition for children with disabilities/mental health concerns or other special needs into the Head Start Program or from Head Start into kindergarten or another community program.
- Assists in locating, setting up, and accessing contract services or community resources for children with special needs. Works with Head Start Director to obtain community partnership agreements when applicable.
- Maintain positive working relationships with local school district and other community agencies.
- Work directly with Mental Health Consultant and other community agencies to connect parents for support and individual child observations. Will work collaboratively to identify strategies for concerns faced within the classroom.
- Maintain knowledge of screenings tools and DECA database while providing and/or facilitating training for staff.
Service Coordination and Record Keeping
- Assists Family Service Advocates/Workers in compiling current resources information related to disabilities/mental health services. Works with Family Services Team to ensure information on community resources for children with special needs is present in Family Service materials.
- Administer and implement system of continuous monitoring and evaluation of activities.
- Analyzes data and makes program development recommendations to leadership team.
- Ensures compliance with Head Start program standards for children with disabilities/mental health, health, and transition.
- Records, monitors and follows up on referrals for support services and screenings for reporting requirements. Uses ChildPlus software and google documents to track all case information.
- Submits reports as needed and requested, such as monthly summary tracking reports, etc.
- Attends meetings as requested.
- Maintains filing, tracking and documentation systems for the disabilities/mental health service area, including transition efforts and outcomes; and ensure confidentiality of child and family records.
- Document all meetings with Mental Health consultants, Education team members, and other agencies on specified documents.
RequirementsQUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelors in SW, early intervention, education or related ; MSW, MA in Early Childhood or psychology related field are preferred
- Knowledge of Head Start regulations and requirements and IDEA
- Experience and expertise in serving young children and their families
- Experience in securing and individualizing services for children with disabilities/mental health concerns
- Basic computer literacy in email, word processing and internet navigation.
- YMCA Team Leader certification; if not certified must obtain certification within 12 months.
- Team leader certification requires: Principles and Practices; Introduction to Volunteerism; Introduction to Leading Others; Introduction to Fiscal Management; Leadership competency assessment; Team Leader Certification Test.
- Passionate belief in the Y's cause of nurturing the potential of all youth, supporting healthy living for all people and finding ways to help and support our neighbors.
- Understanding of the nature and purpose of the YMCA and the respective roles of volunteers and staff.
- Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.
- Proven track record of developing authentic relationships with others.
- Ability to foster a collaborative team approach to solving challenging situations.