Position Summary:
The Special Services Coach supports the developmental, physical, social, and emotional needs of children across the program. This role partners closely with teaching staff to address challenging behaviors, promote inclusive classroom practices, and ensure children receive appropriate supports to be successful in the learning environment. In collaboration with the Integrated Services Content Specialist, the Coach helps implement and monitor integrated services in alignment with Head Start, Early Head Start, state licensing requirements, and agency policies and procedures.
Essential Job Functions:
- Ensure that ECE programs are operating at a high level of quality so that children’s welfare, safety and school readiness are of primary focus.
- Be committed to promoting and maintaining a strong focus on safety within our centers, playgrounds, buses, and any setting where children are present. Be familiar with and actively encourage EPIC’s “Speak Up, Speak Out” approach.
- Be an active member of the site management team by preparing for and participating in site-based staff meetings, parent meetings, Family Nights and all other center activities as required. Serve on other applicable community committees, boards, etc. as approved by supervisor.
- Model professional behavior, open communication and effective conflict resolution skills.
- Take an active role in planning to improve the delivery of services to children and families by attending content meetings and trainings regularly as provided by the Content Specialists.
- Provide training, technical assistance and coaching to direct services staff in assigned areas ensuring full compliance to Head Start/EHS Performance Standards, state licensing requirements and EPIC work plan.
- Participate in ongoing program monitoring and self-assessment activities as designed to identify areas of strength and non-compliance; determine program trends or issues; strategize with team to ensure completion of follow-up.
- Regularly review child/family files and data tracking reports to ensure proper documentation, identify training needs, monitor compliance to Performance Standards and timelines; following up and resolving issues in a timely manner.
- Assure that all paperwork, records and data related to assigned areas are maintained and submitted accurately; proactively addressing and resolving concerns as they emerge.
- Interact with children and classroom staff on a regular basis by making scheduled and unannounced classroom visits, observations and monitoring. Provide feedback on an on-going basis to the Center Manager regarding classroom observations, trainings provided to staff and staff compliance to Head Start Performance Standards.
- Follow proper reporting procedures for instances of unprofessional behavior, child abuse and neglect, failure to supervise, and other policy violations involving staff.
- Understand role of mandated reporter and abide by agency policies regarding child abuse and neglect.
- Support classrooms to maintain ratios as directed by Center Manager or designee.
- Provide assistance to other content coordinators and direct services staff, as needed, to support full compliance to developmental screening requirements.
- Provide parent education services to enrolled families and partner with community agencies who provide parent education services. (i.e., parenting classes, life skills, family literacy, etc.)
- Proactively seek out in-kind opportunities and submit documentation according to established guidance.
- Involve parents in all aspects of the program by recruiting parents as volunteers, encouraging staff to involve parents in the classroom, empowering parents to serve on Policy Council, center committees, interview panels, and supporting parents in performing center activities such as Self Assessment tasks.
- Work closely with the Integrated Services Specialist in building and maintaining community partnerships with local agencies to prepare children and families for school by connecting them to resources by following the interagency referral process.
- Provide advocacy, training, and support to families who have children with diagnosed disabilities and/or mental health disorders.
- Participate in Child Find Activities and actively recruit children with all levels of special needs to the program.
- Support staff in the development of written agreements that will assure appropriate services and transitions for children with special needs in the Head Start/EHS Program; attend meetings regularly to ensure appropriate communication and documentation of special education and child mental health services
Working Conditions/Physical/ Mental Abilities and Processes:
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
Work requires daily standing, sitting, walking, stooping, kneeling, lifting, twisting, turning, pushing, pulling, speaking, hearing, seeing and the ability to articulate clearly; use of hands to finger, bending and reaching.
Ability to feel or operate objects and equipment; reach with hands and arms.
Ability to work with personal computer for long periods of time.
Some travel to and from main office and training sites
Benefits:
- Medical/Dental/ Vision Plans
- Sick Leave (5 hours per payroll)
- Paid Holidays (9)
- EPIC Scholarship Available
- Employee Assistance Program
- Basic Life Insurance
- 403 B (Employer match after 1 year or 1,000 hours)
- As an employee of an Early Learning Non-Profit organization, you may be eligible for student loan forgiveness and childcare subsidy benefits. Additional information will be provided upon hire.
Conditions of Employment:
Prior to employment, complete a pre-employment drug screen, Tb skin test by an EPIC approved healthcare provider at no cost to the employee.
Pre-employment basic physical by an EPIC healthcare provider (obtain within (30) days of employment and no cost to the employee).
Must pass an initial and periodic background check through the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) in Merit.
Provide proof of MMR vaccination and/ or resistance to Measles, Mumps & Rubella.
Current Food Handlers card.
Current First Aid/CPR card.
Prior to the first day, complete Health & Safety training certificates through DCYF student training portal.
Complete Childcare Basics 30 hours STARS training within 3 months of hire
Meet the minimum education requirements within the timeframe as stated in the performance standards.
Complete Child Abuse and Neglect training and all other mandated training.
CEO Approval.
1. BA in Early Childhood, Child Studies, Health Care Management, Maternal/Child Health, Nursing/RN or Public Health; OR
2. AAS and equivalent combination of experience and/or training which demonstrates the required knowledge, skills and abilities; AND
3. (2) Years of experience working with preschool aged children with disabilities.
4. Demonstrated knowledge of stages of child development
5. Experienced in identifying and locating services for children with disabilities
6. Excellent communication skills and ability to integrate with other team members
7. Computer proficiency, preferred
