Early Childhood Job Center

Planning and Implementation

• Ensure development and implementation of new education related initiatives.
• Provide direction of the school readiness plan and activities with other regional specialists.
• Ensure the collection of children’s school readiness data, is analyzed, reported and results are used for planning purposes.
• Provide direction to Center ECE Coordinator in the implementation of the ECMHSP Early Childhood Curriculum.
• Provide direction to Center Director and Center ECE Coordinator in ordering education supplies and equipment.
• Provide direction to Center Director and Center ECE Specialist in child care center design and set-up, including playground.
• Participate in on-going assessment and planning of early childhood/school readiness T/TA and support needs.
• Provide oversight and direction to the school readiness effort.
• Provide direction to Center ECE Coordinator in the implementation of the ECMHSP Transition Plan.
• Utilize self-assessment and federal review results, school readiness results, center visit reports, and other relevant data for the development and implementation of program improvement plans.
• Participate in analysis of center performance and devise strategies for program improvement.
• Initiate NAEYC Center Accreditation process and renew as appropriate.  Work with center coordinating staff to implement process.
• Identify potential resources and solicit, on an on-going basis, in-kind contributions (non-federal match) for center in accordance with ECMHSP In-kind Guide.
• Assist HDCSs to develop plans for accessing resources in local community.
• Conduct planning and coordination to ensure the implementation and continuity of established programs related to disabilities. Foster new initiatives in this area.
• Conduct annual review of disability programming and identify areas for system-wide improvement.
• Coordinate special education consultation services for identified children including IFSP or IEP development/implementation and LEA meetings.
• Assist center staff in coordinating services with Early Intervention and LEAs.
• Assist center staff in complying with Head Start Performance Standards related to the inclusion of children with disabilities.
• Ensure that disability services are provided by persons with appropriate credentials as required by Head Start Performance Standards.
• Develop support groups and/or make referrals to ensure access to services as needed for parents and staff in the area of disabilities.

Communication/Coordination/Collaboration

• Coordinate early childhood efforts with other program specialists, ECMHSP Program Support Department, and other ECMHSP staff (such as Transportation Manager) as appropriate.
• Collaborate with other Specialists in the development of developmentally appropriate activities for children.
• Coordinate local community early childhood education resources for centers in collaboration with Center Director and Center ECE Coordinator.
• Coordinate with Health /Disability Coordinators and Center ECE Coordinators to ensure that screenings are accurately administered at the center level.
• Maintain a professional attitude with open communication and support a positive environment in the office and center to promote the social, emotional and mental wellness of staff, children and families.
• Maintain standards of confidentiality regarding children, families and fellow staff members.
• Participate Program Development Team and in Direct Service team projects and function as supportive team member.
• Participate on various ECMHSP committees that are formed to address initiatives, tasks and issues as requested and/or approved by supervisor.
• Plan and implement on-going meetings with center ECE Coordinators.
• Partner with Center Directors to ensure delivery of quality services for children and families.
• Attend Direct Service and Community meetings as appropriate staff.
• Collaborate and communicate with the ECMHSP Disability Services Manager.
• Participate in the development and renewal of agreements with local service providers and state agencies; LEAs (including Part B and Part C) and others as they relate to early childhood education and disability services.
• Establish relationships with and provide training to community agencies and local providers in order to obtain community support and resources for center programs as they relate to services for children with disabilities.
• Assist Center ECE Specialist to access local resources in support of Early Childhood Education program development and training.
• Solicit suggestions for revision to service manuals and submit during annual revision process.

Interactive Participation

• Participate in regional team meetings and other meetings as approved by supervisor.
• Participate in annual regional self-assessment
• Participate in Federal Reviews as requested and approved by supervisor.

Record-Keeping and Reporting

• Maintain on-going communication with Direct Service Specialists, Center ECE Specialists, Coordinators and classroom staff as appropriate.
• Prepare School Readiness Summary Reports three times per season, share with parents and community partners.
• Complete and submit a monthly calendar, time sheets, expense reports, center visit reports, and other requested documentation in established time lines.
• Maintain regular communication with Center Directors through site reports, phone calls, e-mail.
• Provide designated reports to Head Start Administrator and ECMHSP Disability Service Manager in a timely accurate manner (e.g. center visit reports, follow up reports).
• Follow-up with centers to ensure timely and accurate submission of Disability Services Monthly Reports.
• Review accuracy of disability PIR reports and data entry.
• Provide other reports to supervisor as requested.

Training and Technical Assistance

• In collaboration with Center ECE Coordinator, assess T/TA needs of center (including transportation) staff and parents and develop training plans as indicated.
• Coordinate school readiness training and technical assistance support through the Center ECE Coordinator and Center Director.
• In collaboration with the HDSC, assess disabilities T/TA needs of center and parents and develop training plans as indicated.
• Based on Infant /Toddler Environment Rating Scale (ITERS); Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS); CLASS; TPOT; TPTOS and other classroom observations, improve and enhance the quality of classroom environments and curricula implementation by providing training and technical assistance, regular feedback, effective use of resources and professional materials as well as other methods.
• Develop ECMHSP training and technical assistance materials.
• Provide support and direction to Center ECE Coordinator and Center Director in the delivery of pre-service, in-service and other training consistent with the Head Start Performance Standards, ECMHSP mandates, and established needs.
• Provide on-going training and technical assistance on ECMHSP mandated child development assessments (LAP and E-LAP).
• Support the implementation of new educational initiatives by delivering training and technical assistance.
• Develop and deliver training on ECMHSP Curriculum and other relevant topics to center (including transportation) staff and families as requested.
• Provide training for parents on disability issues.
• Provide pre-service and in-service training for staff on disability and other related services as needed.
• Provide training and technical assistance, based on observations or issues raised during on-site visits.
• Provide identified follow-up in a timely manner.
• Provide support to the ECMHSP Continuity of Services system.
• Present at local, state or national conferences as requested/approved by supervisor.

Program Monitoring

• Monitor for accuracy and timely completion, of screening, on-going assessment and all educational procedures.
• Conduct on-going monitoring of early childhood education services at centers; provide feedback, and follow up in a timely manner.
• Monitor the implementation of the ECMHSP Curriculum.
• Conduct on-going monitoring of school readiness reports three times a season.
• Monitor disability records, including electronic records, at center level on a regular basis, including the records of children with disabilities.

Staff Development

• Work with Staff Development Manager/Specialist, ECE Mentor Coach and Center ECE Coordinator in the identification and implementation of early childhood education staff development activities.
• Participate in the development of the regional Training Plan.
• Attend professional workshops, seminars, conferences, etc. to facilitate professional growth and development.
• Maintain current knowledge of early childhood education and ECMHSP initiatives through research, analysis and dissemination of state-of-the-art early childhood education and other relevant information.
• Support Center ECE Coordinator in their role as CDA advisor.
• Support center staff in attainment of CDA, AA/AS, BA/BS, and beyond.

Supervision

• In cooperation with supervisor, HR Department staff, screen and interview candidates for direct report(s).
• Provide orientation, coaching and mentoring to direct report(s) in the completion of their job responsibilities.
• Conduct annual performance evaluations for direct report(s) in consultation with the supervisor establishing annual goals.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of job descriptions for direct report(s).

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

ECMHSP is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis on race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by applicable law.