Inclusion Specialist

Allies for Every Child exists to give at-risk children and children living in poverty the foundation they need to increase their life choices and lead fulfilling lives. For nearly 40 years, Allies has provided thousands of at-risk children and their families with critical, high-quality child development and family wellness programs, including comprehensive early education and Early Head Start services, family strengthening interventions, foster care and adoption services, and a range of vital, integrated services such as mental health services, educational assessments, trauma and disabilities screenings/advocacy, nutrition services, dental and vision screenings, and pediatric health consultations.

About the role

The Inclusion Specialist (IS) is responsible for consultation, collaboration, and monitoring of children with special needs and/or disabilities enrolled in Allies programs. This position works within an interdisciplinary team to ensure full inclusion of children with disabilities, providing support in the classroom and at family childcare provider locations. The Inclusion Specialist works closely with education teams and the Director of Inclusion Services (DIS) to support children with special needs, monitor access to individualized services, and provide appropriate referrals to community agencies to address developmental delays.

Responsibilities

• Support the administration of developmental screenings for children 0-5, agency-wide.
• Monitor, track, and process completed developmental screenings, agency-wide.
• Maintain understanding of relevant State and Federal regulations and standards (e.g., EHS, CDSS).
• Ensure children and families are supported through the linkage process to community agencies and appropriate services.
• Maintain electronic data and documentation (disabilities) in ChildPlus for children enrolled in Early Childhood Education programs.
• Ensure Allies staff have access to children’s current IFSP/IEP to facilitate lesson planning and individualization.
• Support the DIS to ensure IFSP/IEP are consistently reviewed with the child’s primary educator.
• Provide coaching and support to Allies staff to ensure provision of appropriate environment accommodations under the supervision of the DIS.
• Visit family childcare provider sites to monitor individualization of services and inclusion of children with special needs and/or disabilities.
• Conduct classroom observations to monitor individualization of services and inclusion of children with special needs and/or disabilities.
• Provide coaching and consultation for Allies staff working with children with special needs and/or disabilities, as well as parents of such children, under the supervision of the DIS.
• Support Allies staff in implementation of IFSP/IEP goals and individualization of services in the classroom and natural environment; complete monthly classroom observations and provide feedback to Early Education Manager.
• Support parents with the IFSP/IEP process, including attending meetings and participating in goal setting.
• Attend required meetings, weekly supervision, Multidisciplinary Team Meetings (MDT), trainings, and evaluation meetings.
• Monitor ChildPlus data system, ensure inputting of updated IFSP/IEP goals, maintain IFSP/IEP documents in child files and ChildPlus, and collaborate with outside agencies to monitor progress toward goals.
• Mentor Allies staff in early identification of developmental delays and eligibility for higher-level services through Regional Center and school districts.
• Facilitate staff and parent trainings supporting Early Intervention in collaboration with the DIS and Early Education Coaching Manager.
• Maintain confidentiality; obtain and maintain legal releases of information and consent documentation for confidential information.
• Comply with all applicable federal, state, and county regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Perform other related essential functions, as assigned.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree in Early Child Development, Psychology, Special Education, or related field; bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Experience working with children 0-5.
• Experience performing developmental screenings and working with children with developmental delays preferred.
• Experience providing case management preferred.
• Experience providing social service referrals, working with multidisciplinary teams, and advocating for parents and children.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Bilingual English/Spanish required.
• Interest in learning about issues related to early childhood education, disabilities, and mental health.
• Passionate about learning and possesses curiosity about issues affecting children and families.
• Fingerprint background clearance (DOJ, FBI & Child Abuse Clearance Index), or approved exemption.
• Successful completion of pre-employment physical, PPD test/risk assessment, proof of immunizations for pertussis (Tdap), measles (MMR), and influenza (can decline).
• Class “C” driver’s license, proof of insurance, and access to reliable transportation required.

All employees/contractors serve as role models for children and adolescents served by the agency. Therefore, each must at all times be emotionally stable and able to function effectively with children, adolescents, and adults who may have mental or behavioral health problems. Staff must demonstrate appropriate daily behavior, expression of emotions, and role modeling. Hostility, aggression, and unnecessary or inappropriate physical actions, as well as inappropriate emotional expression, are not acceptable.

Staff must believe in and act in accordance with both the Agency’s and the program’s mission/vision statements, adopted theoretical frameworks, and philosophy.

Pay

Pay Range: $26.50 – $28.50 hourly. A $2,500 sign-on incentive bonus is available.

Benefits

• Full benefits package, including competitive pay.
• 12 holidays per calendar year.
• 2 personal days – birthday and anniversary of employment.
• 10 vacation days per year (increases with tenure).
• 10 sick leave days per year.
• 10 jury duty days.
• 100% employer contribution to: Health (Kaiser or Anthem), Dental, Vision.
• 401k Retirement Plan with a 50% employer match for the first 4%.
• 100% employer-paid life and accidental insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – for team members and dependents.
• Additional benefits: Pet Insurance, Supplemental Life Insurance, discounts on movie tickets, amusement parks, travel, hotels, sporting events, shows, and more.
• Initial and ongoing training and professional development opportunities.
• Opportunities for growth and advancement.
• Employee referral incentive – $1,500.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• Credit Union Membership.