The Services to Children with Disabilities content area is an integral part of the larger system of services provided by Head Start. It plays an important part in supporting the goals of the program. This includes working to develop appropriate placement and early childhood education curriculum and providing educational resources for staff and parents, ensuring compliance with performance standards and recognized best practices in the field of early childhood education and special education. The position could involve the provision of direct services in the disabilities area only if the individual is licensed, certified, or registered as such in the state of service. This position ensures that the disability services provided are supported by staff and/or consultants with training and experience in the field(s) related to social, human, or family services so that needed services for children with disabilities can be individualized and secured. Mental health services are an integral part of the larger system of services provided by Head Start/Early Head Start. It plays an important part in supporting the goals of the program. This position is responsible for the facilitation of mental health services for the Head Start/Early Head Start program. The position is responsible for collaborating on the development and implementation of the program, tracking and recordkeeping, community relations, and outreach. The position could involve the provision of direct services in the mental health area only if the individual is licensed as such in the state of service. This position is responsible for ensuring mental health services are supported by staff or consultants who are licensed or certified mental health professionals with experience and expertise in serving young children and their families
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Program Administrator and Coordination-Disability Services.
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Takes the lead in the initial development of the Disabilities Work Plan, then administers, monitors, and revises as necessary. Make sure that all staff are familiar with the Plan.
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Ensures Head Start/Early Head Start Services to children with disabilities follow federal regulations and laws governing disability efforts as defined in IDEA and ADA.
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Coordinates the recruitment of children with disabilities into the program with other staff and community agencies.
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Ensures attendance of a Head Start/Early Head Start staff member(s) at the IEP/ IFSP process.
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Establishes policies and procedures for the implementation of the disabilities portion of the program with parents and staff.
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Assists in locating, setting up, and accessing contract services to meet the needs of children and families.
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Establishes a referral process for any suspected disability/developmental delay or at-risk for developmental delay, including a tracking system for follow-up.
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Arranges for further formal evaluation of a child who has been identified as possibly having a disability/developmental delay.
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Works closely with other managers/specialists/coordinators in the assessment process and follow-up to assure that the special needs of each child with disabilities are met.
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Works with staff to ensure that provisions to meet special needs are incorporated into all content areas as needed.
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Collaborates with local education agencies (LEA's) and special service providers to ensure integrated, coordinated provision of special services to include joint parent and staff training and Child Find activities. Initiates community partnership agreements.
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Develop and implement a strategy that supports a successful transition for children with disabilities or other special needs into the Early Head Start/Head Start Program or from Early Head Start into Head Start or Head Start into kindergarten or another community program. Works closely with the Part C Early Intervention Program and Early Head Start to recruit and enroll eligible children into Head Start/Early Head Start.
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Works with supervisor and other management staff in planning and budgeting of funds to assure that the special needs identified in the IEP/IFSP are fully met; that children most in need of an integrated placement and of special assistance are served; and that the program maintains the level of fiscal support to children with disabilities consistent with the congressional mandate to meet their special needs as well as other community-based programs.
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Assists the staff persons working in the Family and Community Partnerships area and family services staff (case managers) in compiling current resource information related to disability services.
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Provides technical support to the teachers and other staff as needed.
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Assists in implementing intervention strategies within the classroom or home-based setting with the intent for teachers and other staff to be able to carry out strategies independently.
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Provides services to Head Start/Early Head Start families with children with disabilities in cooperation with other agencies/providers. Oversees referral of parents and children to other agencies/providers.
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Identifies and works with community resources for the provision of services to children with disabilities.
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Comply with all Health and Safety policies, including ensuring no child is left alone or unsupervised by staff, consultants, contractors, or volunteers while under my care
Implementation and Recordkeeping — Mental Health Services - Responsible for the following:
- Writes, reviews, and revises the Mental Health Work Plan annually. Develops a system for administering and monitoring the work plan. Monitors compliance with the Head Start/Early Head Start Work Plan and the Head Start Performance Standards in the applicable content areas and sub-areas assigned.
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Establishes policies and procedures for the mental health portion of the program with parents and staff that support the effective implementation of mental health services.
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Develop a list of local mental health and related resources and define procedures for effective use of these resources.
- Initiates and establishes working relationships with local providers through contractual agreements as appropriate.
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Establishes a system for providing mental health education to families through workshops, parent meetings, handouts, etc.
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Develop and implement a plan and system of continuous monitoring and evaluation of activities within the program. Keeps complete records and documentation of all contacts.
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Develop a system for the maintenance of individual mental health records on children to tie in with the master child record.
- Ensures that mental health data is reviewed, evaluated, and interpreted. Maintains mental health records and other data affecting mental health services.
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Works with health and education staff to collect data for mental health screening using a program-approved screening tool.
Takes the lead on the following:
- Identifies and is Knowledgeable of Mental Health Resources: Establishes relationships and develops a thorough knowledge of mental health resources for families, including Medicaid, the state CHIP Program, state mental health services, and other community resources that assist families in accessing mental health services.
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Establishes, Negotiates, and Monitors Contracts with Mental Health Service Providers: Establishes contracts with mental health professionals to provide services to the Head Start/Early Head Start program as necessary. Contracts may include consultant and/or volunteer services.
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Mental Health Curriculum: Responsible for developing a developmentally appropriate mental health education curriculum in conjunction with the staff person responsible for early childhood education services for children and parents that can be integrated into program activities.
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Mental Health Training: Establishes a yearly system of training and mental health education for staff, including mental wellness, stress, burnout, etc. Documents as required by performance standards in the agency T/TA Log.
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Maintains up-to-date knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards including specific knowledge of the Disabilities (1308) portion of the standards. Assists in the development of protocols as necessary to support the least restrictive environment for children.
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Works with the staff person responsible for the Health Services Advisory Committee in planning, convening, and implementation and attends the meetings regularly.
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Oversees the screening, re-screening, and follow-up for all mental health services.
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Participates in staffing of children and is responsible for all mental health recommendations, as necessary. Attends IEP/IFSP meetings as requested or as necessary.
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Serves as or arranges for mental health resource specialists to teachers, home visitors, and family service staff.
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Provides resource information to staff and families on an as-needed basis. Assists in providing current information for the Community Resource Guide.
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Follows state and federal regulations pertaining to child abuse and neglect, and maintains strict confidentiality of all information. Coordinates with family and community partnership staff in this area.
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Works closely with disabilities services staff in the assessment process and follow-up to assure that the special needs of each child with disabilities are met.
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Arranges for mental health services to Head Start/Early Head Start families in cooperation with other agencies/providers. Oversees referral of parents and children to other agencies/providers as needed.
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Arranges for a mental health consultant to be available for staff meetings, parent training sessions, etc., as indicated.
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Develops community resources for the provision of services to children with mental health concerns.
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Collaborates with early childhood education staff to facilitate the integration of mental health and inclusion activities in the classroom curriculum.
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Works with staff to assist teachers in identifying children who show signs of stress such as possible serious depression, withdrawal, anxiety, or abuse.
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Observe regularly in assigned classrooms, or ensure that a mental health consultant observes and provides consultation related to mental health issues.
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With the family services staff, acts as a liaison for families seeking drug, alcohol, and other mental health assistance within the community.
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Arranges for play therapy and other services as needed.
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Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by their Supervisor.
Physical Requirements
- May occasionally need to provide gentle physical restraint to children.
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Travel by car, bus, airplane, or train may also be required, associated with attendance at conferences, meetings, and other duties carried out at distant locations in and out of state, and in some cases, where some overnight travel may be required.
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May be required to lift up to 25 pounds.
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Some exposure to communicable diseases.
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Ability to frequently go up and down stairs.
- Ability to stand, walk, and bend most of the time.
COMPLIANCE AND POLICY ADHERENCE
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Ensure compliance with all Head Start Program Performance Standards, including child safety, documentation, supervision, and classroom quality standards.
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Adhere to all State Licensing regulations (DPI and DCF), including mandated ratios, health and safety protocols, and staff training requirements.
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Support and uphold Young Star quality standards by implementing developmentally appropriate practices, continuous quality improvement, and family engagement.
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Maintain program quality in accordance with the National Accreditation Commission (NAC) criteria, including curriculum implementation, assessments, and teacher-child interactions.
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Follow the guidelines and expectations outlined in the Early Learning Staff Handbook, including attendance, communication, professional conduct, and daily responsibilities.
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Comply with all UCC Personnel Policies, including confidentiality, workplace expectations, and team collaboration.
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Participate in required professional development and training hours to meet federal, state, and accreditation requirements.
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Ensure active supervision of children at all times, as required by Head Start, licensing, United Community, and NAC guidelines.
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Accurately complete and submit required documentation (e.g., lesson plans, child observations, incident reports) in a timely manner.
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Demonstrate cultural competency and uphold program values of equity, inclusion, and respect in all interactions with children, families, and colleagues.
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Check and respond to emails to ensure timely communication with supervisors, team members, and families, in alignment with agency expectations and professional responsibilities.
- Bachelor's degree or higher in special education or the Mental health/disabilities area, child development/early childhood education field, or other closely related fields.
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Experience or knowledge of family strengths/family-centered practice preferred.
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Training in the field related to social, human, or family services and experience in securing and individualizing needed services for children with disabilities preferred.
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Bilingual preferred. (English- Spanish)
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
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Knowledge of community resources for Children with disabilities, including Children with IEP’s
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Skill in analyzing requests for reasonable accommodations and developing plans for the provision of reasonable accommodations.
- Building relationships with local providers (Mental Health, Milwaukee Public School System, Part C agencies Etc.)
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Knowledge of Head Start Procedure Standards, Early Child Services, and ADE regulations required.
- Possess excellent oral (to include public speaking) and written communication skills required.
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Demonstrate an understanding of the Child Protective Services Reporting System, signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect.
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Review and support individual plans (IEPs) designed to promote students’ educational, physical, or social development.
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Confer with parents, administrators, testing specialists, social workers, or other professionals to implement individual education plans (IEPs)
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Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, or administrative regulations.
- Work is generally performed in an office environment. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to occasionally loud. May be required to operate a motor vehicle during the course of duties.
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Standard office equipment generally used includes: Telephone, Personal Computer or Tablet, Printer/Photocopy Machine, Fax Machine, and Calculator.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
This job description outlines the general nature and level of work required of any employee assigned to this position. It does not intend to imply that these are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to the job. The employee may be required to perform other job-related duties, as requested by the position’s manager(s), the Executive Director, and/or the Board of Directors. All is subject to change and possible modification to address changing business conditions and reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability.
