Education Specialist (EFFC)

Good Shepherd Services•Bronx, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Education Specialist is responsible for meeting the educational needs of children ages 0 to 5 and monitoring their development, including making referrals to Early Intervention and/or the Committee on Preschool Education (CPSE) when appropriate. The role builds and maintains rapport with parents and guardians and professional relationships with the NYC Department of Education, CPSE and Early Intervention liaisons, the NYC Administration for Children’s Services, and other school-related partners. The specialist reviews intakes and screenings, supports families and case-planning teams through evaluation and referral processes, tracks services, and provides ongoing education-related support and training. The role maintains case records and progress notes, participates in service-planning meetings and agency trainings, and coordinates with schools, service providers, and advocacy organizations to support children’s access to appropriate services. The specialist also uses and promotes Sanctuary Model practices and commitments to foster a nonviolent, trauma-sensitive culture. This is a 35-hour-per-week, non-exempt position based at 7 West Burnside Avenue, 2nd Floor, Bronx, NY 10453. The position reports to the Special Services Supervisor, Family Foster Care.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
At least 1 year of experience in special education and Early Intervention.
Solid knowledge of the NYC public school system, including education resources, children’s rights, and DOE regulations and procedures.
Experience with special education and Early Intervention.
Ability to be flexible to meet the demands of youth in care.
Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Word and Excel.
Excellent written communication and organizational skills.
Commitment to working from a strength-based and/or youth and family development perspective.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual English/Spanish.

Responsibilities

Review new intakes and psychological screenings or evaluations for the assigned age group to identify developmental or educational concerns.
Help parents or guardians and case-planning teams initiate Early Intervention and/or CPSE evaluation processes.
Submit and monitor referrals and evaluations for special education and Early Intervention services.
Provide ongoing support and training to foster parents, parents, and case-planning teams regarding education and Early Intervention services for youth in foster care.
Serve as the agency liaison to school staff, Early Intervention, and guardians.
Attend mandatory agency and ACS trainings and NYC DOE trainings to stay current on policies and procedures.
Maintain professional boundaries with youth, foster parents, parents, and staff.
Keep case records and education data current and filed in the appropriate sections; document progress notes in Connections and ensure service documentation is obtained and filed.
Communicate with foster parents and parents about children’s educational and developmental needs and their communication with schools and Early Intervention personnel.
Attend and participate in IFSP, CPSE, and Turning 5 meetings.
Work with Advocates for Children and other outside organizations when legal or other advocacy is needed to support children’s eligibility for and access to Early Intervention and CPSE services.
Work with parents and foster parents to promote awareness of children’s educational needs and engagement with service coordinators and CPSE administrators.
Generate statistics and outcome information on education issues as required.
Use Sanctuary Model tools, including safety plans, community meetings, psycho-educational groups, team meetings, red flag reviews, treatment-planning conferences, and self-care, as applicable.
Promote and model the seven Sanctuary Model commitments to create a nonviolent and trauma-sensitive culture.
Perform other duties as assigned.