Special Needs Coordinator

About the role

Plans and develops treatment programs for children with various psychological, physical and learning handicaps enrolled in the Prekindergarten Head Start, Comprehensive Day Care Programs or registered families in the Early Childhood Regional Center. Works with psychologists and other diagnosticians in developing individual treatment plans for those children with suspected or confirmed special needs. Oversees staff and children to identify special needs children and assess the effectiveness of individual plans currently being implemented. Assesses family needs and develops and implements ongoing individualized special needs and family plans.

Responsibilities

• Plans, develops and coordinates a program involving the screening and referral of children for the detection of handicapping conditions and the treatment of confirmed cases.
• Participates in the development of individualized education plans for those children found to have special needs.
• Assists in the selection of curriculum materials for staff who teach children with handicapping conditions; identifies and makes recommendations regarding the purchase of appropriate equipment and supplies.
• Visits centers to observe the teaching staff and handicapped children; works with staff in the implementation of individual education plans for children with handicaps.
• Works extensively with parents of special needs children to ensure continuity of care beyond the center setting.
• Explains and demonstrates treatment techniques and procedures to teachers and their assistants; explains and demonstrates classroom and home treatment procedures to parents.
• Plans and conducts in-service training and staff development sessions for instructional coordinators, teachers, parents and other staff regarding the detection, definition, evaluation and treatment of handicapping conditions among preschool children.
• Fosters communication and cooperation among parents, teachers, social workers and diagnosticians.
• Maintains confidential files for each child which include test results and individualized education plans.
• Maintains records of training sessions with teachers, parents and other center staff.

Requirements

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in psychology, special education or a related field.
• Three years of full-time, paid, professional experience in a setting which has involved planning and developing treatment programs for children.
• Valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Supervisor of Elementary Education certificate OR Valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Administrative certificate for Elementary School Principal.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of child growth and development.
• Demonstrated knowledge of psychological and physical handicaps and how they affect the learning process.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the diagnostic instruments, measures and tests used to detect handicapping conditions in children.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the available resources in the diagnosis and treatment of handicapping conditions.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current materials and equipment available for use in instructing children with handicapping conditions.
• Demonstrated ability to make initial assessments of children with special needs.
• Demonstrated ability to participate with other professionals in the development of individualized plans based on observations and test results.
• Demonstrated ability to train others in the principles and techniques of the treatment of psychological and physical disabilities within the educational process.
• Demonstrated ability to present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.