Mental Health and Disability Specialist

ALLIANCE CENTER FOR EDUCATION INC • Charlotte, IA

5d • $44,000 - $47,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Alliance Center for Education is seeking to hire an In Person Disability Inclusion Specialist. It is the responsibility of the Disability Inclusion Specialist to collaborate with and support instructional staff and parents in implementing and evaluating appropriate inclusion supports for identified children with developmental needs, health needs, and other complexities. Supporting and coordinating interventions for students with disabilities that allows for participation in the least restrictive environment. To serve as a resource on disabilities; providing technical assistance in the area of disabilities and inclusion; ensuring that all support and services for identified children with disabilities align with Early Head Start and Head Start Program Performance Standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Special Education, Early Childhood Education, Child and Family Development, Early Intervention or related field
• Minimum of three years’ work-related experience working with birth to five-year-old around Early Intervention Program services or related field experience required.
• Knowledge of Adult Learning Theories and experience in data analysis.
• Criminal Background Check w/Fingerprints - subsequent to qualifying letter
• Educational Transcript and Resume
• DCDEE Workforce Letter, Current Physical, Current TB Test
• Submission to ongoing random drug screening

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Mental Health and Disabilities Manager, Center Directors, classroom teachers to monitor and evaluate developmental services for students with a documented IFSP or IEP.
• Collaborate with the Family Engagement Team and the LEA to schedule initial and renewal IEP and IFSP meetings, being present and actively participating in all meetings including the initial referral meeting with Part B.
• Facilitate the referral process to LEA, CDSA, and community partnerships and agencies.
• Collaborate with Infant Toddler and Preschool Education Managers to assess the learning environment to ensure that it is prepared and capable of serving students with exceptionalities.
• Collaborate with Infant Toddler and Preschool Education Managers to purchase items and materials needed to meet the individual needs of the classroom and its students.
• Stay abreast of ADA and IDEA accessibility requirements for building, playgrounds, and other structures in the program.
• Collaborate with Mental Health and Disabilities Manager and the Infant Toddler and Preschool Education Managers to coordinate support and training workshops, as needed, to families regarding their child’s disability and to ensure families know how to be an advocate for their child.
• Collaborate with Mental Health and Disabilities Manager, along with the Infant Toddler and Preschool Education Managers, along with Social Emotional Coach, to provide support to center staff and assess training needs to enhance their knowledge, skills, and attitudes when working with children with disabilities.
• Collaborate with Mental Health and Disabilities Manager to coordinate and conduct quarterly meetings with center staff to educate them on topics related to students with a documented disability. Topics include Inclusion, Supporting Children with ASD, and Understanding and Utilizing an IEP/IFSP for lesson planning.
• Regularly monitor and document children’s progress (children with an IEP/IFSP and referrals received for concerns) and provide feedback to the classroom staff and Center Director with strategies to increase the quality of teaching and learning through technical assistance and coaching practices.
• Work closely with the Mental Health and Disabilities Manager to ensure that each EHS/HS classroom is being monitored at least two times per school year to ensure the environment is developmentally and linguistically appropriate.
• Assist in conducting developmental screenings.
• Work in part with a multidisciplinary team to assess and collaborate on child’s needs.
• Coordinate with Mental Health and Disabilities Manager to provide families with information on community and external educational opportunities.
• Regularly and consistently monitor the program’s database updated with students’ information around disability.
• Regularly document all referrals and observations in ChildPlus.
• Stay abreast and attend professional development opportunities to enhance individual skills and proficiency related to job responsibilities.
• Follow federal and state guidelines/laws, including Head Start/Early Head Start Program Performance Standards.

Benefits

• Compensation Range: $44,000 - $47,000 commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• $500 hiring bonus following successful completion of 90 days employment documented in performance evaluation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level