Early Childhood Job Center

• Recruit and collaborate with Family Services to enroll children with disabilities.
• Ensure the delivery of quality services to children with IEPs and IFSPs or mental health concerns through effective collaboration with parents, staff, ITC, LEAs and other community partners.
• Provide appropriate training in the areas of disabilities and mental health (including wellness) for staff and parents, through community resources.
• Develop/maintain systems to ensure compliance with the Head Start Performance Standards for Children with suspected/diagnosed disabilities and mental health services.
• Ensure that at least 10% HS enrollment slots are made available to children diagnosed with a disability and receiving services through an IFSP or an IEP.
• Assist Family Advocates in the recruitment and enrollment of children with diagnosed disabilities.
• Serve as an advocate for children and parent to ensure that they are aware of their rights and options regarding services for children with suspected or diagnosed conditions.
• Assist in a consulting roll for parents, teachers, family advocates and other staff for children with suspected or identified disabilities.
• Work with family advocates and teachers to assist parents in achieving child/family goals, as they relate to the special needs of the child.

Work collaboratively with staff, parents, and local school systems’ preschool education staff to:

• Identify and refer children with suspected disabilities for evaluation.
• Include and educate parents about the referral and special education process.
• Develop and monitor IEP implementation, in school district special education programs and in Head Start for children eligible for services.
• Provide training to staff and parents regarding services to children with disabilities.
• Organize/implement of HRCAP Head Start Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings and will maintain records, i.e. minutes.
• Monitor implement/facilitate an annual review of LEA/HS Interagency Agreements.
• Assist in the transition of children with disabilities from Head Start to the public schools’ Kindergarten programs.

• Assist transportation services in coordinating transportation for children receiving services at school district locations, when needed.
• Assist with planning/implementing bus monitoring efforts of the agency.
• Gather and share community assessment information with Leadership/Staff for children with disabilities in local service areas.
• Routinely observe classrooms and/or conduct home visits for disability case load.
• Conduct group classroom activities with children relative to individuals with disabilities, social and emotional development.
• Comply with the agency’s confidentiality policy and share pertinent information with appropriate persons, with parent permission.
• Arrange an annual schedule of classroom observations by a mental health consultant; collaborate with consultant for the provision of mental health and wellness services for children, parents and staff.
• Annually review/update Mental Health contract under supervision.
• Carefully monitor delivery of Mental Health and Disabilities services.
• Receive and execute referrals for mental health services for children and families expeditiously.
• Develop a cadre of resources and community providers to meet child and family needs in the areas of disabilities and mental health.
• Obtain a signed parent permission statement from parent prior to rendering disabilities or mental health related services.
• Regularly review files to monitor health/other data updates, current IEPs and IEP implementation in the classroom, receipt of progress reports on children with IEPs, and follow-up as needed.
• Routinely communicate and collaborate with staff to share and gather information to improve and evaluate service delivery.
• Attend and/or participate in trainings/workshops for professional development and other related activities that will enhance job performance.
• Provide weekly status reports to the Behavior Specialist regarding the enrollment of children with disabilities and the provision of mental health services.
• Participate in annual: program self-assessment, review of disabilities and mental health plans, job description and development of agency training plan.
• Ensure that child and family data and Personal Identifiable Information (PII) is kept confidential according policies and procedures.
• Provide services to all eligible customers without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability or sexual orientation.
• Other duties as assigned to ensure that high quality program services are carried out in accordance to HRCAP, local, state, and federal regulations.