Head Start Disabilities Advocate

About the role

The Full-Time Head Start Disabilities Advocate position at the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony offers a unique opportunity to work directly with the community, fostering inclusivity and support for children with disabilities. The role involves developing and implementing effective strategies tailored to individual needs, and the position comes with a competitive pay range of $23.91 to $29.40 per hour.

Responsibilities

• Work under the direct supervision of the Head Start Manager to lead the development and administration of the disability program, ensuring compliance with Head Start Performance Standards.
• Coordinate and provide essential disabilities and behavioral services, assisting families of children with disabilities in navigating their Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and referrals.
• Track children with disabilities by maintaining and updating the list of identified students with disabilities.
• Work with children of disabilities using their Individualized Education Plan.
• Establish procedures to provide comprehensive disability services to children and support families.
• Advocate with families for their child with disabilities.
• Provide monthly and quarterly reports documenting the progress of children with disabilities.
• Participate in Home Visits and Parent Conferences of children on IEPs.
• Aid in recruitment and enrollment of eligible children into the Head Start Program by targeting and collaborating with programs that serve children with disabilities.
• Attend IEP meetings with Head Start Staff, school district personnel and other pertinent persons.
• Assist Head Start teachers with implementing behavior plans and mentoring staff on incorporating children's IEP in the classroom.
• Aid in planning and attend monthly program activities and parent meetings and encourage parent involvement.
• Works effectively in a team environment and actively participates in joint problem solving; listens attentively to others; asks clarifying questions to gain a better understanding of the other person’s views and underlying assumptions; follows rules, regulations and policies; positively contributes to implementing changes.
• Deals with issues directly in a respectful and timely manner. Focuses on resolving the issue while not criticizing the person.

Requirements

• Knowledge experience and ability to work with children with special needs.
• Education and Knowledge of Special Education.
• Bachelor of Arts degree or higher from an accredited college or university with a major in Early Childhood Special Education or Special Education and two years related work experience in working with preschool children with special needs.
• Able to maintain confidentiality of personal information about children, families and staff.
• Able to perform all physical requirements of the position; regularly required to stand, walk and sit, talk or hear both in person and by telephone; also regularly required to stoop, kneel, bend, crouch or crawl, climb or balance and lift up to 50 pounds.
• Able to work with people from diverse cultures ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds with knowledge of Tribal community and sensitivity to Native American Indian needs.
• Must be a minimum of twenty-one (21) years of age at time of hire and be eligible for participation in the THE PROGRAM Vehicle Insurance Program;
• Have a valid Driver’s License and current DMV record submitted prior to date of hire;
• Must satisfactorily pass an annual physical examination and TB screening.
• Must possess and maintain infant and adult CPR certification, First Aid certification and a Food Handler’s Certification within three (3) months from date of hire and each year thereafter.

Qualifications

• Patience, empathy, and cultural sensitivity to engage effectively with diverse families within the Reno community.

Skills

• Strong knowledge of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and special education practices.
• Proficiency in software tools for tracking progress and documentation.
• Excellent communication skills for collaborating with families, teachers, and community partners.
• Ability to work well in a team environment.

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 401(k)
• Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off

Pay

$23.91 - $29.40 per hour

Schedule

Fully remote