Preschool Disabilities Specialist

YOUNG MENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF METROPOLITAN LOS ANGELES•Los Angeles, CA

12d•$27 - $29•Onsite

About The Position

Under the general supervision of the Mental Health and Disabilities Program Manager, the Disabilities Specialist ensures that children with disabilities and children with concerns for disabilities receive the services and support necessary to succeed in the Early Education Program and assists YMCA teaching staff in working with children related to developmental disabilities and/or conditions. Assist staff in implementing plans to accommodate children’s needs in the learning environment. Collaborate with staff, families, and external agencies to meet the needs of children with disabilities and ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and State Standards related to disability services.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in special education, Early Child Development, Psychology, or related field, required.
Three years of experience as a disability specialist with an educational or social services agency involving social work, family, special education, or mental health counseling is required
Experience performing developmental screenings, working with children with developmental delays preferred
Experience in providing case management preferred
Experience providing social service referrals, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and advocating for parents and children
Strong verbal and written communications skills
Strong Empathy & Reflective Capacity
Bilingual in English and Spanish, required
Class “C” driver’s license, proof of insurance and access to reliable transportation required.
YMCA Approved Infant/Pediatric/Adult CPR/First Aid/AED Certification or willingness to obtain within 60 days of employment.
Successful completion of pre-employment physical
PPD test/ risk assessment
proof of immunizations for pertussis (Tdap), measles (MMR), and influenza (can decline).
TB Test clearance
Ability to conduct assessments in various classrooms, homes, and community settings.
Ability to lift 25-30lbs.
Reliable transportation, as this position requires regular travel to program sites for assessments, consultations, and crisis response.
This position also requires travel to off-site locations throughout LA County for meetings, training, and other work-related activities.
You must have the physical, visual, and auditory ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

MA preferred.
Experience performing developmental screenings, working with children with developmental delays preferred
Experience in providing case management preferred

Responsibilities

Mentors teaching staff in early identification of developmental delays and the internal referral process as needed.
Supports teaching staff in implementation of IFSP/IEP goals, and individualization of services, in the classroom and in the child’s natural environment; completes monthly classroom observation and provides feedback to Site Directors.
Provides support to YMCA teaching staff to ensure provision of appropriate environmental accommodations.
Conducts classroom observations to monitor individualization of services and inclusion of children with special needs and/or disabilities.
Provides training and technical assistance related to the children’s individualized needs, strategies, modeling, and recommendations to teaching staff working with special needs and/or disabilities, as well as parents of children who have special needs and/or disabilities.
Supports with conducting developmental screenings for children 0-5, agency wide.
Monitors, tracks, and processes completed developmental screenings, in collaboration with the Mental Health and Disabilities Manager.
Ensures YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles preschool teaching staff have access to children’s current IFSP/IEP to facilitate lesson planning and individualization.
Ensures IFSP/IEP is reviewed with the child’s primary educator.
Maintains understanding of relevant State and Federal regulations and Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) GIMS.
Refers and connects children and families to community agencies and appropriate services.
Maintains electronic data and documentation (disabilities) in Child Plus for children enrolled in the Early Education program (Head Start/Early Head Start/CSPP).
Participate in agency multidisciplinary team meetings, Response to Pre-Referral Intervention and/or interagency collaborative meetings.
Assists in developing and implementing tracking systems that monitor progress through IEP or IFSPs; evaluates the types of curriculums, instructional materials, and traditional and alternative teaching methods being used.
Supports parents with the IFSP/IEP process, including attending IFSP/IEP meetings, and participating in IFSP/IEP goal setting.
Attends required meetings, weekly supervision, Multidisciplinary Team Meetings (MDT), training, and evaluation meetings.
Inputs data into Child Plus data system, related to updates on IFSP/IEP goals, maintain IFSP/IEP documents in child files and Child Plus, and collaborates with outside agencies to assist in monitoring progress towards goals.
Assists with recruiting children with disabilities into the program.
Collaborates with school districts or resource groups to set up agreements to provide disabilities services for incoming and transitional students.
Facilitates staff and parent trainings supporting Early Intervention.
Prepares and presents reports related to disabilities services; assists program management in researching related questions and provides information for children and families regarding community resources to address disabilities needs.
Maintains confidentiality; obtain and maintain legal releases of information and consent documentation for confidential information.
Complies with all applicable federal, state and county regulations, policies, and procedures.
Performs other related essential functions, as assigned.
Attends staff meetings and training as required.
Upholds YMCA policies for safety, supervision, mandated reporting and risk management.
Demonstrates the Six Pillars of Character (Trustworthiness, Citizenship, Respect, Responsibility, Caring and Fairness) as well as the YMCA Core Values of Caring, Respect, Honesty and Responsibility, in all dealings with members, guests, volunteers and fellow staff.
Demonstrates competencies in and willingness to develop in the Cause Driven Leadership areas of mission advancement, collaboration, operational effectiveness and personal growth.