Developmental Specialist - bilingual

Educational Requirements

We are looking for bilingual candidates with a degree who are passionate about working with families and children. We are willing to train the right candidates.

About the Role

Aalta Mira is a non-profit organization founded in 1985 that provides services to individuals with developmental or intellectual delays or disabilities, and their families. We support over 800 children annually through our Early Intervention Program and 1500 adults in our Family Support Services. We offer a wide range of benefits, including a $1000 sign-on bonus, paid time off, paid sick leave, paid holidays, bereavement leave, medical, dental, vision, and SIMPLE IRA benefits.

Responsibilities

• Participate as a team member in initial and ongoing developmental assessment activities with infants and toddlers in the areas of communication, play, cognition, fine and gross motor skills, adaptive behavior, and social/emotional skills.
• Administer, score, and interpret formal testing instruments as appropriate.
• Carry out assessment procedures in a sensitive manner regarding the family’s everyday routines and activities.
• Collaborate with families and other staff during team assessments.
• Partner with the family and other team members to develop individualized strategies which incorporate the family’s everyday routines and activities.
• Partner with the family and other team members to determine the best support and services needed in order to help the family achieve their outcomes.
• Build relationships with children and family that support a working partnership to accomplish the IFSP goals.
• Assure Special Instruction services start within 30 days of the IFSP meeting. If services do not start within 30 days, document the reason. Assure that Special Instruction services are delivered according to the IFSP. If there are missed visits or gaps in services, document the reason.
• Utilize appropriate listening, observation, and interviewing skills to identify the family’s/caregiver’s perceptions of their child’s abilities, strengths, and needs.
• Support the family as the primary decision-maker and promote their acquisition of knowledge, skills, and confidence in identifying and carrying out outcomes for their child.
• Model for family/caregiver strategies to support learning, including encouragement to access community resources and support.
• Assist parent/caregiver in anticipating next steps in development.
• Provide appropriate community resources and information when requested by parents.
• Demonstrate the ability to help parents identify how to use appropriate toys and other materials that are available to them within their home and community activities.
• Observe, reinforce, and nurture the caregiver-infant toddler relationship to:
• Help parents understand their role in the social and emotional development of infants and toddlers.
• Help parents understand what they can do to promote health, language, and cognitive development in infancy and early childhood.
• Support and facilitate family and child interactions as primary contexts for learning and development.
• Collaborate and consult with other team members to promote optimal child and family development and needed family services without duplication, gaps, or delays.
• Attend and actively participate in team and staff meetings.
• Support the belief that a child’s development is too complex to be addressed by a single discipline and actively refer to and consult with others to understand, welcome, and coordinate the team’s approach to each child and family.
• Monitor progress through observation and consultations with team members.
• Work with the team and family to ensure that IFSP support and services are appropriate for the child and advocate for changes needed to meet the unique needs of the child and family.
• Follow program procedures regarding documentation, billing, data, and timelines.
• Provide support and/or consultation to community providers.
• Serve as a consultant and resource to community settings regarding child development and strategies for inclusion.
• Maintain family priorities when early intervention is provided in other settings.
• Promote and articulate the role and knowledge base of the developmental specialist to service providers while supporting and offering strategies for inclusion of all young children and their families in community activities and supports.
• Complete an Individual Contact Log for each planned visit according to the IFSP.
• Complete Individual Logs according to EI procedures.
• Turn in Individual Contact Logs weekly.
• Turn in all Individual Contact Logs by the end of the month.
• Record telephone calls and other important events (not home visits) on Service Coordination Logs.
• Turn in Service Coordination Logs by the last day of the month.
• Adhere to all other established guidelines for billing and documentation.
• Follow program procedures regarding documentation, billing, data, and timelines.
• Utilize and return in good condition, agency/program equipment, as needed.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned.

Qualifications

• Bilingual in Spanish and English preferred.
• Able to provide reliable transportation for home visits.
• Able to work as a trans-disciplinary team member.
• Experience 2 years’ experience required.
• More than 2 years of previous Early Intervention experience.
• New Mexico certification as a Developmental Specialist 2, bachelor’s degree required.
• New Mexico certification as a Developmental Specialist 3, master’s degree required.
• Current New Mexico driver's license, or ability to arrange transportation to meet agency needs assigned.