Disabilities Interventionist

SUMMARY:

The Disabilities Interventionist ensures that the Grantee adheres to the Head Start Program Performance Standards state and local requirements regarding Behavioral Health and Special Needs services for young children. The Interventionist is responsible for assisting with the recruitment seamless inclusion and enrollment of children with disabilities. The Interventionist provides referrals and ensures children with disabilities receive all necessary supportive services. Additionally the Interventionist provides Behavioral Intervention Plans as needed.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Ensures that the program meets and/or exceeds its 10% disability mandate
• Outlines intervention plans that individualizes for each child with a disability
• Maintains disability services; develops related goals objectives and recommendation of policies;
• Creates and implements plans collaborates with staff on program and service evaluations; acts as a liaison with staff; serves as a resource of information regarding disability services; and ensures that procedures are appropriate in relation to policies required by state and federal regulatory requirements
• Analyzes data plans activities monitors program services responds to others and consults with program personnel.
• Spends the majority of time in collaborative work with teachers school leaders and other experts to improve learning outcomes for students with disabilities
• In collaboration with Teachers/Caregivers Parents and the Local Education Agencies. ensures children receive services specific to their individual exceptionalities.
• This collaboration includes but is not limited to direct instructional coaching professional development analysis of progress data seeking out academic and behavioral instructional strategies and assisting with implementation;
• Understands and engages in collaborative work with general education personnel including building curriculum and instructing coaches to improve achievement and growth for all students while carrying out their primary responsibilities of improving learning for students with disabilities;
• Participates in discussions regarding possible suspensions and/or expulsions regarding children with disabilities and develops action plans as needed;
• Organizes and coordinates the programs disabilities services to include recruitment enrollment diagnosis and provision of services.
• Carries out goals policies and activities designed to meet the needs of children with disabilities and their families in accordance with the Head Start Program Performance Standards.
• Obtains a diagnostic report and confirmation of the condition by the appropriate professional for the purpose of coordinating a follow-up plan for assistance and discussing diagnosis with parents and/or education staff.
• Participates with an interdisciplinary team for the purpose of developing an IEP/IFSP for each child with an identified disability.
• Hosts a support group for families having children with disabilities
• Consults regularly with parents and staff on the individual children enrolled in the program who require special needs services
• Provides and/or coordinates training for staff and parents in order to meet needs of children with disabilities.
• Maintains a library of resources such as publications and online training and/or face-to-face trainings to assist staff and parents who seek assistance
• Provides observations and guidance to teaching staff working with children with special needs.
• Provides advocacy in the community for children with special needs.
• Determines training and technical assistance needs of staff relative to children with special needs.
• Ensures that special equipment requirements for children with disabilities are provided.
• Provides instructions to Head Start and Early Head Start staff for use of special equipment therapeutic manipulatives and other learning materials
• Assists teachers in adapting the lesson plans/individualized weekly lesson plans to meet the special needs of children with disabilities and/or behavior concerns
• Completes accurate and timely data submission of participants information including revisions and updates in the data management system
• Ensures accuracy and updates to data in the programs software for Program Information Report (PIR)
• Functions as inter-agency liaison with community groups and individuals in order to build and maintain good working relationships obtain referrals and coordinate services
• Maintains current knowledge of applicable laws and regulations to ensure compliance by all staff members in accordance with Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Head Start Performance Standards and state licensing regulations
• Assists with the negotiation of contracts and other agreements with professionals LEAs and community agencies
• Performs other duties as required.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS & EXPERIENCES:

• Masters Degree in Special Education preferred or related field plus three years experience working with children and families birth to five years old with special needs.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Understands Head Start Performance Standards and state and local child care licensing requirements.
• Knowledge of and ability to assess analyze and interpret Head Start Standards State and local licensing requirements and accreditation standards.
• Ability to communicate and cooperate with diverse families various professionals community groups and with parents.
• Ability to work independently on analytical tasks and to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Proven ability to function independently as a Local Education Agency as well as a cooperative and supportive team member.
• Ability and willingness to work in a program located in a high-risk low-income community.
• Intermediate knowledge of computer applications including word-processing software in a Windows environment and the ability to learn and master other computer technology /software programs as needed.
• Ability to communicate accurately clearly and professionally in written and verbal forms.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in most repeated and routine responsibilities.
• Ability to communicate and respond in a manner that consistently demonstrates respect and concern.
• Commitment to reflective supervision.
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must have excellent organizational skills and proven ability to work within prescribed time- lines.
• Must be able to travel to Grantees program sites and the sites which may include climbing stairs.
• Ability to process protect and exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to talk hear sit stand walk; use hands to finger handle or feel objects tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and stoop kneel crouch or crawl and lift and or move items of up to 20 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Must have excellent command of English language and grammar both verbal and written.
• Must be able to remain abreast of developments in the child development field to enhance professional growth and development.
• Must be able to clearly hear and understand telephone conversations.
• Must be able to operate a variety of equipment such as computer printer fax machine copier calculator telephone audio-visual equipment etc.
• Must be able to communicate successfully and pleasantly with school and central office personnel students and families.
• Must be able to work cooperatively with others.
• Must be able to respond positively to supervision and accept suggestions for improvement.
• Must comply with state and district regulations policies and procedures.
• Must have reliable transportation.