Special Needs Inclusion Coordinator

Commander, Navy Installations Command • Bethesda, MD

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The purpose of the position is to provide a comprehensive inclusive approach to serving children (6 wks -18) with medical, educational, or other identified needs across Child and Youth Programs. Supports the development and implementation of CYP inclusion and behavior support processes, provides ongoing educational opportunities. Conducts needs and non-clinical assessments and remains aware of early intervention and other services and provides referrals within the military and surrounding areas.

Requirements

• Must satisfactorily complete all background checks for child care positions, including fingerprint checks, a Tier 1 with Child Care check, Tier 3 if applicable, and a State Criminal History Repository (SCHR) check.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical, provide evidence of immunization, be free of all communicable diseases, and obtain appropriate immunization against communicable diseases.
• Must possess a valid state driver’s license.
• Must successfully obtain and maintain appropriate security clearance as needed.
• Ability to complete required training certificates, and maintain certifications or credentials required by Federal, State, and/or national accreditation institutions used as part of DoD's Child and Youth Programs.
• Participation in Direct Deposit/Electronic Fund Transfer within the first 30 days of employment is required.
• A bachelor's degree in child development, early childhood education, special education, youth development, psychology, social work or in a subject-matter field appropriate to the position AND three years of full time experience working with children and/or youth.
• Professional knowledge of child and youth development, early intervention, special education, early childhood inclusion, and evidence-based and trauma-informed practices that support inclusive environments related to birth to 18-year-olds.
• Professional knowledge of observation and assessment methods and implementation science.
• Knowledge of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as they apply to CDCs, school age centers and community based support services.
• Skill in respectful, reciprocal communication with families; adapts responsive approaches as required to meet the needs of individual families.
• Skill in the practice-based coaching model, facilitating training with adult learners, providing feedback, and adjusting training pace and activities to meet diverse learning needs.
• Skill in conducting functional behavioral assessments and collaborating with a team to design, implement, and monitor resulting BSP.
• Skill in the use of Microsoft Office Programs e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Ability to identify and apply appropriate evidence-based inclusive practices to meet the needs of individual children and youth and groups of children and youth in a child care or group setting.
• Ability to develop, collect, and analyze quantitative and qualitative data to identify trends across the program, communicate trends, and propose solutions to program leadership.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing, and possess strong interpersonal communication skills.
• A combination of education and experience; education must include courses in a child-related field and total minimum of 24 higher level semester hours. In addition, four years of full time experience working with children and/or youth is required.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates across multiple delivery systems using evidence-based inclusive practices and leveraging existing approved Department of Defense (DoD) or Navy tools, resources, and approaches (e.g., Navy CYP Inclusion Standard).
• Administers, implements, and monitors inclusion supports and behavior support processes in classrooms/programs.
• Assists in the development and implementation of Inclusion or Behavior Support Plans (ISP/BSP).
• Assists CYP professionals in recognizing and responding appropriately to children and youth displaying concerning or unsafe behaviors.
• Collaborates with the Training and Curriculum Specialist (T&C) to train and coach CYP professionals to implement, monitor, and maintain ISPs/BSPs, implemented through continued observation and the correct use and application of support strategies and/or required accommodations.
• Coaches CYP Professionals to observe children's/youth's development and individual needs, communicate effectively with families, and enhance their classroom/activity area environment and curriculum to promote inclusion and meet diverse learning needs.
• Leads and conducts inclusive program/classroom assessments at regular and periodic intervals.
• Serves as a core member of the installation Inclusion Action Team (IAT) and monitors compliance with Service policy, DoD instructions, and federal law.
• Gives input into the development of CYP employee and parent handbooks, supports implementation and provides interpretation of content, and implementation of inclusive practices.
• Participates in parent conferences/meetings at a DoD installation, as needed.
• Spends at least 50 percent of time in classroom/activity area settings, promoting, modeling, coaching, and mentoring CYP Professionals to promote implementation of inclusive practices.
• Conducts non-clinical and behavioral assessments using approved assessments, identified screening, and observation tools to support the development of ISPs/BSPs.
• Supports the identification of needs and classroom supports for children and youth through observations conducted by CYP Professionals.
• Coordinates with the T&C to provide regular training and coaching opportunities on child observations, positive behavioral supports, inclusive practices, and use of the classroom/program environment to meet diverse learning needs.
• Supports the T&C to provide training to ensure implementation of core inclusive programming.
• Coordinates with the T&C and uses classroom observations and collected data reports to review concerns related to a child's development, behavior and program participation.
• Assists classroom Direct Care teams to develop and implement ISPs/BSPs and monitors their effectiveness.
• Models the strategies outlined in the plan, observes the team's implementation of the strategies, and provides supportive and constructive feedback.
• Serves as a coach to help classroom teams and CYP Professionals develop goals centered around evidence-based inclusion practices and pyramid level supports and plan/implement action steps to achieve goals.
• Interacts professionally with employees, parents, volunteers and local installation command personnel.
• Participates actively and positively in managing and resolving issues with parents, volunteers, and/or employees.
• Assists in establishing a program environment, which sustains participant interest and promotes positive interactions with other children, youth and adults.
• Models appropriate behaviors and techniques for working with adults, children and youth.
• Collaborates with and maintains a network of military and community agencies, provides information and referral, and may serve on local early education councils or advisory groups alongside DoD Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) family support providers and School Liaisons (SLs).
• Coordinates with CYP and specialized services, when early intervention services occur in a CYP setting, to ensure staff work together to integrate services for each applicable child in CYP environments and daily routines.
• Serves as a mandatory reporter to Family Advocacy and Child Protective Services as prescribed by local policy in the case of suspected incidences of child abuse and neglect.
• Responsible for compliance with child abuse and neglect reporting requirements.
• Participates in meetings at varying levels within the local area/military Services/DoD.
• Completes a variety of assessment data and other metrics as required by the assigned Installation CYP Director.
• Collects and maintains up-to-date statistical data for planning and reporting purposes in accordance with higher headquarters and statutory requirements.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

What This Job Offers

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