Inclusion & Disabilities Specialist

Position Summary

Casa Central’s Early Learning Academy provides high quality, comprehensive early childhood education services for young children, ages birth to five, and their families. The Center-Based program provides childcare and education services for children ages two to five. The Inclusion & Disabilities Specialist assists students with disabilities, diverse learning needs, challenging behaviors, and other special needs, facilitating total inclusion in the daily curriculum and classroom activities.

About the Role

The Inclusion & Disabilities Specialist works in close collaboration with the Disabilities & Wellness Promotion Manager to support and engage families of children with suspected and diagnosed disabilities, coordinate services, make referrals, and follow up on child and family needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Participate in site visits, focus groups, trainings, and meetings as indicated.
• Monitor and complete assigned monthly reports.
• Enter data and maintain database (ChildPlus).
• Maintain files for assigned case load.
• Cover meetings, staffings, and trainings in the absence of the Disabilities & Wellness Promotion Coordinator, representing Casa Central at both internal and external meetings and events.
• Provide information to the team that will assist in the referral process (to Early Intervention or Chicago Public Schools) for children with suspected disabilities.
• Collaborate with internal team to implement interim individualized plans to support meaningful inclusion and developmental progress.
• Once the child’s Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)/Individualized Education Program (IEP) is received, collaborate with teaching team in developing Implementation plan to support the child with achieving the goals outlined therein.
• Complete observations for children who are in the referral process, who have IEPs/IFSPs, and who have Implementation/Interim or Behavior Support plans.
• Aid teaching teams with gathering documentation on children’s progress to achieve developmental targets.
• Assist teaching teams to plan and implement individual learning supports for assigned children.
• Support enrollment process by assisting with potential observations, and other screenings when appropriate.
• Aid primary teaching staff in maintaining a classroom environment that includes positive guidance techniques that meet state and local licensing regulations and Head Start performance Standards.
• Model and support the implementation of Conscious Discipline.
• Ensure no child is left unattended. Implement Active Supervision strategies.
• Demonstrate instructional practices that supports CLASS, ITERS, and ECERS requirements. Ensure classroom and developmental learning spaces are clean, organized, and welcoming for children.
• Gather documentation to make referrals to Early Intervention or the Local Education Authority (Chicago Public Schools) for children with suspected disabilities. Follow-up to support families through the referral process. Help ensure that children are receiving needed services.
• Support parents’ understanding of the referral process. Partner with families to implement activities in the home that support IEP/IFSP goals, and other interim/implementation plans. Provide parents with feedback on their child’s progress. Support families using the Parents as Teachers curricular resources.
• Participate in meetings with the teaching teams, family development specialists, Disabilities & Wellness Promotion Manager, and other staff. Collaborate to develop, communicate, and implement Interim /Implementation plans. When available, participate in Family Child Review process, and other staffings involving assigned children and prospective children.
• Acquire 20 hours of continuing education annually. Develop and implement an annual professional development plan. Actively participate in Inclusion Aide reflective practice group. Participate in Reflective Supervision and Team Meetings with Disability & Wellness Manager and participate as a team member in other meetings.
• Follow all mandates of federal regulations, state and local licensing, agency policies and procedures, curriculum and Standards of Conduct. Perform other duties as assigned, within the scope of the job description.
• Administer medication as needed (ex. Nebulizer treatment, Epipen).
• Support recruitment efforts for the program, with a special focus on recruiting children with diagnosed or suspected disabilities.

Education/Experience

• Minimum of an AA in ECE or related field strongly preferred;
• Requires a minimum of a Child Development Associate (CDA) or twelve college credit hours in Early Childhood Education;
• At least 3 years of experience working with children with challenging behaviors, suspected and diagnosed disabilities, and diverse learning needs.

Language Skills

• Bilingual Spanish preferred.

Physical Demands

• Regularly sit, talk and hear.
• Frequently use hands.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 25lbs.