Inclusion Specialist

Abilities Network Inc•Towson, MD

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Abilities Network, a multiple year winner of the Baltimore Sun’s Top Workplace award, is looking for an Inclusion Specialist to support the Project ACT (All Children Together) program. The Inclusion Specialist provides practice-based coaching and early childhood mental health and behavior consultation to early childhood professionals to prevent the expulsion of children age birth to five and promotes the inclusion of children with special needs. This position is expected to support the overall operation of Abilities Network when needed. Certain tasks may be asked that do not fall into the essential functions of this job. This is a great opportunity to join a non-profit organization with an amazing culture and team environment. Within this role there is the opportunity to handle a wide variety of projects and responsibilities. As an Inclusion Specialist, you will have a direct impact on the success of the Project ACT program by providing high quality training and reflective coaching to educators and community members. This position is a hybrid position and requires availability to work some evenings and weekends with occasional overnight travel.

Requirements

Master’s Degree in Counseling, Special Education, Early Childhood Education, Social Work, Psychology or a related field
Experience working with children with challenging behaviors, mental health concerns, trauma histories, or developmental disabilities
A minimum of 4 years’ classroom teaching experience working with children ages birth to 5
Group training experience
Proficient in program management with a strong focus on training and development
Excellent oral and written communication with a demonstrated knowledge of adult learning principles
Comfortable with all types of technology i.e. proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
Maintains flexible and collaborative work ethic
Well-developed organizational skills

Nice To Haves

Relevant Licensure or Certification (LCWS, LCPC, BCBA) preferred
Coursework in curriculum and child development preferred
Fluency in Spanish preferred
Experience working with older children preferred

Responsibilities

Observe childcare settings and provide feedback regarding strengths as well as recommendations for universal behavior supports and best practices to improve the classroom environment
Observe individual children, collect data, and utilize assessment tools to perform a functional behavior analysis, determine the function of the challenging behavior and develop support plans containing strategies for behavior change with the goal of preventing expulsion and promoting social emotional competencies
Assist classroom staff in implementing strategies through reflective coaching, on-site modeling, training sessions, and other supports as needed
Address mental health needs through a consultative model, address speech and language, cognitive, physical, and social and emotional development as well as daily living skills by making recommendations for enhancing development or referring families to appropriate intervention resources
Facilitate collaborative planning and support families when children receive services through an IEP/IFSP and provide parents with education, tools, and support to become self-sufficient in advocating for the inclusion of their child with mental health needs, disabilities, and/or challenging behaviors
Develop and present training and mentoring sessions for early childhood professionals and out-of-school-time providers regarding mental health issues, developmentally appropriate practices, trauma informed practices, the inclusion of children with disabilities, and/or managing challenging behavior
Develop customized training for early childhood professionals when providing consultation services for an individual child
Provide parents with education, tools, and support to advocate for the full inclusion of their child with mental health needs, disabilities, or challenging behaviors