Title/Position:
Child Service Navigator
Reports to:
Assistant Director of Early Inclusion
FLSA Class, Status:
Full time, Exempt
Position Grade:
Manager/ Senior Manager
Starting Salary Range:
$78,000-$80,000 (4-year grant-funded)
Our Mission
Horizons for Homeless Children is a Boston-based non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of young children experiencing homelessness in Massachusetts. We help their families succeed by providing high-quality early education, opportunities for play, and comprehensive family support services. Our advocacy efforts extend our impact and advance our vision of ending homelessness among families with young children.
Summary of Position
As an integral member of Horizons for Homeless Children's instructional leadership team, the Child Service Navigator plays a critical role in supporting families of infants and toddlers (birth to age 3) who demonstrate developmental delays or who are at risk for developmental delays or disabilities. This position ensures timely access to services through the Massachusetts Early Intervention System (Part C of IDEA) and supports families of children transitioning into or already receiving Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) services (Part B of IDEA). In addition, the Child Service Navigator maintains continuity of care by following children as they exit Early Intervention services and partnering with families to navigate and access appropriate supports as children transition into preschool-aged services (IEP).
This role promotes inclusive education, builds trusting relationships with families, and serves as a bridge between families and complex educational, medical, and social systems. The Navigator also ensures compliance with state and federal regulations, including those from EEC, DESE, ACF, BFEN, and Chapter 766
Responsibilities
Family Engagement & Advocacy
Serve as the primary point of contact for families navigating the early intervention (EI), early childhood special education (ECSE), medical or social service systems
Build supportive, empathetic relationships and help families identify concerns, goals, and strengths
Educate families on child developmental milestones, disabilities, and their rights under IDEA Part B and Part C, ensuring families are informed and active participants in the process
Support families in understanding EI/ECSE assessments, the IFSP/IEP process, and advocating for services.
Service Coordination & Case Navigation
Facilitate referrals to EI, ECSE, and related services in partnership with families, ensuring timely access
Support eligibility determination and continuity of care across systems
Participate in IEP and IFSP meetings, ensuring interdisciplinary planning and family-centered approaches
Monitor service delivery to ensure services are provided appropriately and on time
Compliance & Regulatory Oversight
Ensure adherence to IDEA (Part B & C), Chapter 766, and related regulations
Uphold procedural safeguards and family rights throughout service delivery
Track required timelines (e.g., referral-to-eligibility benchmarks) and ensure compliance
Data Management & Documentation
Maintain accurate records in QuickBase and other systems
Track referrals, services, outcomes, timelines, and developmental progress
Identify and document barriers to service access and support resolution
Training & Capacity Building
Provide training and coaching to staff and families on EI/ECSE systems and incorporating inclusive practices
Educate internal staff on child development, referral processes, and inclusion strategies
Promote family-centered and inclusive approaches across programs
Partnership Development & Systems Collaboration
Develop relationships with early childhood providers, schools, and service agencies
Collaborate internally with Horizons’ educators, family coaching specialists and externally with partners, to promote inclusive practices.
Serve as a bridge between families and external systems (education, medical, social services)
Care Continuity & Transition Planning
Support transitions from EI to preschool special education services
Ensure continuity of care as children move across service systems
Guide families through long-term service pathways and planning
Information and Technical Systems Management
Track critical timelines related to the EI/ECSE process to help families stay on track
Ensure timelines under part C of IDEA (such as the 45-day referral to eligibility period) are being met
Maintain accurate records in accordance with agency policies using Horizon’s electronic QuickBase data collection system
Track EI and special education referrals, services received, outcomes, and timelines (e.g., 45-day eligibility period).
Monitor IFSP/IEP timelines, developmental screenings, accommodations, and child progress.
Identify and document barriers to service access and support families in resolving them.
Track and support transitions from EI to early childhood special education.
Starting salary range, compensation, and benefits
$78,000-$80,000 is the starting salary range for this grant funded role. Your starting salary will fall within that range depending on your competencies, experience, and skillset. This position is grant-funded for 4 years, starting July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030. Should additional funding become available, the position may be extended.
Your total compensation package includes the following benefits:
Health coverage options designed to be as comprehensive and affordable for you as possible, with Horizons covering between 70-75% of premiums (a value that ranges from an additional $10,000 –30,000 per year based on your enrollment choices).
While you have a choice between an HMO and PPO plan for medical coverage, most employees pay $117.77 for individual, $235.54 for 2-person, or $370.44 for family coverage per biweekly paycheck and never pay more than $300 for individual or $600 for 2-person/family toward deductibles.
Visit The Benefits of Working at Horizons for more details on the rest of our benefits package
Qualifications
Education & Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Special Education, Early Childhood Education, Social Work, or a related field is required.
Must have completed at least one course in Early Childhood Education.
Minimum of 5 years of experience working with children with special needs or developmental delays.
Experience in Early Intervention case management or service coordination preferred.
Familiarity with IDEA (Part B and C), Massachusetts Chapter 766, and public-school special education procedures.
Experience working with at-risk populations and/or families experiencing homelessness is highly desirable.
Experience with data systems, spreadsheets (Excel), and tracking tools required.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Strong understanding of child development, including typical and atypical patterns.
Knowledge of EI and ECSE processes, including eligibility standards, IFSP/IEP development, and transition planning.
Monitor the delivery of services to ensure that the IFSP/IEP services are provided and provided in a timely manner.
Ability to interpret educational and clinical evaluations, IFSP/IEP’s and translate findings into meaningful language to ensure parent/caregiver understanding
Culturally competent with sensitivity to families’ diverse experiences and needs.
Strong leadership, facilitation, coaching, and collaboration skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication.
Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Bilingual ability is preferred.
Dedicated to Horizons’ mission and embodies core values (Collaborative, Inclusive, Innovative, and Passionate).
Demonstrates core competencies that are critical to success across Horizons (Communication, Collaboration, Cultural Competency, Growth Mindset, and Mission-Driven Excellence).
Work Environment
This is a 40-hour, full-time, onsite position. Regular hours are Monday–Friday during business hours, with occasional evening/weekend events with notice. The work you will perform is mostly sedentary, taking place at a desk or cubicle, in an office setting, working alongside others, and at times in a classroom setting. This role includes collaboration with families, educators, specialists, and external agencies both in-person and virtually.
There is a large staff room with indoor and outdoor space for breaks as well as a designated quiet room. Our beautiful office space is located: Edgerley Family Horizons Center at 1785 Columbus Ave, Roxbury, MA.
This position requires the employee to comply with all applicable federal, state, local and company policy concerning immunizations, employment physical/screening, and Background record check.
Commitment to our Workforce
Horizons is committed to fostering the well-being of our workforce who are tackling one of the nation’s toughest issues; family homelessness. We respect the unique perspectives and potential of each member of our team and believe that diversity of thought and perspective will not only sustain employee well-being but drive better outcomes for our families. Horizons’ leadership sets the tone and priority for this work. Visit our commitments page to learn more about what that looks like at Horizons.
As such, we are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.
For more information about Horizons, please visit horizonschildren.org.
