Company Overview
Family Services of Westchester (FSW) provides mental health and social services that strengthen and support families, children, and individuals at every stage of life. With 50 innovative programs, FSW serves over 30,000 individuals annually in Westchester County, New York, working to create hope, restore dignity, and connect families with the resources they need to thrive.
FSW’s Prime Time Therapeutic Preschool is a Special Education Program for preschoolers in Westchester and Putnam Counties that offers a comprehensive range of individualized educational programming and therapeutic services.
JOB SUMMARY
Family Services of Westchester is seeking a Full-Time Director of Preschool Special Education Programs (4410 Program Director) to join our team in White Plains, NY. This role will provide oversight of our Prime-Time Special Education Programs and support operations across our Peekskill and New Rochelle locations.
Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Early Childhood Programs, the Director of Preschool Special Education Programs serves as a member of the Family Services of Westchester Early Childhood Leadership Team. The Director provides strategic leadership, administration, supervision, evaluation, and oversight of all NYSED-approved Preschool Special Education (4410) programs. This position is responsible for ensuring compliance with NYSED, OCFS, IDEA, Medicaid, and all applicable federal, state, and local regulations while promoting high-quality educational services and positive outcomes for children with disabilities ages three through five.
The Director oversees program operations, educational quality, compliance, enrollment, staffing, budgeting, professional development, family engagement, and continuous quality improvement across all Preschool Special Education program locations.
RESPONSIBILITES
Overall Scope
- Provide overall leadership, supervision, and oversight of Family Services of Westchester's NYSED-approved Preschool Special Education (4410) programs, ensuring compliance with all applicable NYSED regulations, OCFS licensing requirements, Special Education Quality Assurance expectations, and agency policies and procedures
- Supervise Site Coordinators, teachers, teaching assistants, related service providers, and support staff across multiple locations. Provide ongoing coaching, performance evaluations, professional development, staffing oversight, corrective action, and succession planning to ensure high-quality service delivery
- Ensure implementation of high-quality educational programming, curriculum fidelity, student assessments, IEP implementation, related services coordination, active supervision practices, health and safety protocols, and family engagement strategies that support positive outcomes for children with disabilities
- Oversee program operations including enrollment management, staffing, transportation coordination, incident reporting, child abuse and maltreatment reporting, emergency preparedness, health and safety compliance, OCFS licensing requirements, NYSED monitoring, audits, CFR reporting support, and all required state and agency reporting systems
- Serve as the primary liaison with school districts, CPSE offices, NYSED, OCFS licensors, families, community partners, and agency leadership. Lead continuous quality improvement efforts, regulatory readiness activities, corrective action implementation, and strategic planning to ensure program excellence and compliance across all sites
Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management
- Ensure compliance with all NYSED Preschool Special Education (4410) Regulations, Part 200 Regulations, IDEA, Medicaid requirements, and applicable OCFS regulations
- Oversee preparation and response to NYSED, OCFS, Medicaid, and other regulatory monitoring visits, audits, investigations, and corrective action plans
- Ensure compliance with Special Education Quality Assurance (SEQA) expectations and monitoring requirements
- Oversee active supervision systems, child accountability procedures, emergency preparedness, health and safety compliance, and risk management practices across all program locations
- Ensure timely reporting of incidents, injuries, allegations, and child abuse or maltreatment concerns in accordance with OCFS, SCR, NYSED, and agency requirements
- Monitor staff certification requirements, background clearances, mandatory training, and professional development compliance
- Oversee NYSED-approved program capacities, classroom configurations, staffing ratios, site approvals, and program modifications
- Ensure compliance with Medicaid claiming reimbursement activities, annual reconciliations, and related documentation requirements
- Oversee preparation and submission of SEDCAR reports, CFR documentation, NYSED reports, and other required state and federal reporting
Communication
- Communicate effectively with staff, families, school districts, CPSE representatives, community partners, regulatory agencies, and senior leadership
- Serve as liaison to NYSED, OCFS, municipalities, school districts, and other external stakeholders
- Identify and communicate program needs related to facilities, staffing, equipment, transportation, and program operations
- Promote family-centered practices and meaningful family participation in educational planning, evaluations, and CPSE processes
- Respond to parent concerns and facilitate conflict resolution while maintaining positive family relationships
- Analyze and report enrollment, attendance, staffing, fiscal, and program performance data to leadership
Planning
- Participate in agency leadership meetings and strategic planning initiatives.
- Develop short- and long-range plans for Preschool Special Education programs
- Lead program expansion, enhancement, and continuous quality improvement efforts
- Oversee annual program goals, quality improvement plans, and corrective action initiatives
- Collaborate with Early Childhood leadership to ensure alignment of services and organizational goals
Compliance Management
- Maintain confidentiality and protect student and family information in accordance with HIPAA, FERPA, agency policies, and applicable regulations
- Manage special education documentation systems including CPSE portals, NYSED Business Portal, IEP management systems, Medicaid systems, and agency databases
- Monitor compliance of student records, evaluations, IEP implementation, related services, and required documentation through ongoing audits and file reviews
- Implement NYSED guidance documents, field memoranda, and regulatory updates
- Monitor contracts, service agreements, and provider compliance requirements
- Provide performance feedback and coaching to assigned staff
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
- Master's degree in special education, Early Childhood Education, Educational Leadership, School Administration, School Psychology, or Social Work.
- New York State Permanent Certification in Special Education (Birth–Grade 2) and/or Early Childhood Education
CERTIFICATIONS
- New York State School Building Leader (SBL), School District Leader (SDL), or School Administrator and Supervisor (SAS) Certification.
EXPERIENCE
- Minimum of five (5) years of experience in Preschool Special Education, Early Childhood Education, or a related field.
- Minimum of three (3) years of supervisory or administrative experience.
- Experience supervising multidisciplinary teams and managing multiple program sites.
- Demonstrated knowledge of NYSED 4410 regulations, CPSE processes, IDEA requirements, OCFS regulations, and special education compliance standards.
SKILLS
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Public speaking and presentation skills.
- Leadership, coaching, and staff development skills.
- Conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
- Budget development and fiscal management skills.
- Data analysis and continuous improvement experience.
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse populations.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality, professionalism, and integrity.
- Strong organizational and project management skills.
There are a variety of benefits to joining Family Services of Westchester, an organization with over 65 years of history impacting vulnerable communities. In addition to the opportunity to connect with and help thousands of residents in Westchester County, FSW offers its employees an inspiring, diverse and team-based work environment with comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, 403(b) and generous paid time off.
At FSW, we enjoy working in a collaborative, mission-driven environment and value the benefits of a diversified workplace that prioritizes our clients and the communities we serve. If you want to make a difference in the lives of thousands of people across the communities of Westchester, and this position speaks to your capabilities, experience and commitment to social service, please complete the online application on Indeed.com, upload your resume and cover letter with salary requirements. Qualified candidates will be contacted by phone and/or email.
Family Services of Westchester is an equal opportunity employer.
Pay: $85,000.00 - $95,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
