-- Proudly voted Bitterroot’s Best Child Care 2024 & 2025 --
Full-Time | 35 - 40 Hours per Week | Monday - Friday
Why Join Ravalli Head Start?
We are proud to offer:
- Employer-paid health insurance
- Low-cost dental, vision, life, and disability insurance options
- Paid holidays, vacation, and personal leave
- 401(k) eligibility after one year
- Supportive team culture focused on compassion and collaboration
- Meaningful work that directly impacts local children and families
- Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
Most importantly, you’ll join a mission-driven organization that believes families deserve to feel seen, supported, and empowered — and that early relationships and community connections can change the trajectory of a child’s life.
Help Every Child Thrive
At Ravalli Head Start, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed—regardless of their abilities or challenges. As our Disability & Behavior Health Manager, you'll play a vital leadership role in ensuring children with developmental, behavioral, or mental health needs receive the support they need to reach their fullest potential.
This position is ideal for someone passionate about early childhood development, values strong family partnerships, and enjoys collaborating with educators, therapists, healthcare providers, and community agencies to make a meaningful difference in children's lives.
Every day brings opportunities to advocate for children, coach teachers, empower families, and help create inclusive learning environments where every child can thrive.
What You'll Do
As the Disability & Behavior Health Manager, you will:
Champion Inclusive Services
- Coordinate disability and behavioral health services across Early Head Start and Head Start programs.
- Ensure developmental and behavioral screenings are completed accurately and on time.
- Help identify children who may benefit from early intervention or specialized services.
- Support successful transitions into and through IDEA services.
Partner with Families
- Build trusting relationships with families as they navigate evaluations, IFSPs, IEPs, and early intervention services.
- Help parents understand their rights and become confident advocates for their children.
- Participate alongside families during evaluation and planning meetings.
Support Classrooms & Teachers
- Provide coaching, consultation, and classroom support for children with developmental or behavioral needs.
- Assist in developing individualized behavior support plans.
- Conduct Functional Behavior Assessments when appropriate.
- Model positive behavior support strategies and inclusive teaching practices.
Collaborate with Community Partners
- Work closely with local school districts, early intervention providers, therapists, mental health professionals, and community agencies.
- Coordinate referrals and ensure children receive services outlined in their IFSPs or IEPs.
- Build strong collaborative relationships that benefit children and families.
Lead Program Quality
- Monitor compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards and IDEA requirements.
- Analyze data and monitor outcomes to improve services.
- Maintain confidential records and documentation.
- Prepare required reports and participate in program monitoring.
Develop Staff
- Provide engaging trainings on disability services, inclusion, social-emotional development, and behavior support.
- Help ensure staff are confident implementing Pyramid Model practices and individualized supports.
- Stay current on best practices in early childhood special education and behavioral health.
We're Looking For Someone Who
- Believes every child deserves an inclusive learning environment.
- Builds trusting relationships with families through empathy, compassion, and respect.
- Enjoys collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.
- Thinks proactively and enjoys solving complex challenges.
- Can balance compliance responsibilities with a family-centered approach.
- Is organized, adaptable, and able to manage multiple priorities.
- Communicates effectively with families, educators, and community partners.
- Values teamwork, professionalism, and continuous learning.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Special Education, or a closely related field.
- Experience working with young children with disabilities and early intervention systems.
- Knowledge of IDEA, IFSPs, IEPs, and inclusive early childhood practices.
- Experience supporting children's social-emotional development and positive behavior interventions.
- Valid Montana Driver's License and acceptable driving record.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
Why You'll Love Working Here
At Ravalli Head Start, we're more than an early childhood program—we're a mission-driven team committed to strengthening children, families, and communities.
We believe in:
- Supporting one another as teammates
- Investing in professional growth
- Building strong family partnerships
- Creating inclusive environments where every child belongs
- Celebrating the impact our work has on future generations
If you're looking for meaningful work where your expertise can truly change lives, we'd love to meet you.
Come help children discover their strengths, families find support, and classrooms become places where every child belongs.
Pay: $26.42 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Preferred)
Experience:
- Early childhood education: 3 years (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
