Early Childhood Support Specialist

Child Start, Inc. is currently seeking a Supplemental Services Specialist to join our team. In the role of Supplemental Services Specialist, you will provide essential support to children and families through Program Intervention Plans as needed. You will collaborate with the Mental Health and Disabilities Coordinator to recommend referrals to partner agencies and assist with Individual Education Plans (IEP) or Individual Family Service Plans (IFSP). This position involves assisting with data entry and tracking, as well as engaging in community outreach by creating and updating Memorandums of Understanding (MOU). You will play a key role in ensuring that staff are trained in the screening tools utilized in their classrooms and will actively participate in conducting screenings. Additionally, you will receive training in the Coaching Models and may be called upon to support the Coaching Coordinator as required.

• Observe and recommend strategies for children in classrooms and home settings to help classroom staff identify children with developmental and behavioral needs; possibly matching these children with a PIP or BSP.
• Support classroom staff in identifying and implementing IEP and IFSP recommendations by attending meetings when possible, while entering follow-up in Go Engage.
• At the discretion of the site supervisor, may serve as a back-up teacher for the center in the event that additional support is needed to maintain child to adult ratios required by KDHE and Head Start Program Performance Standards.
• Work with contracted Mental Health Consultants on-site to implement social-emotional and behavioral recommendations, make referrals to consultants when needed.
• Encourage families to pursue referrals for developmental/speech evaluation and services as well as mental/behavioral health consultation and services.
• Monitor progress of referrals to LEAs and/or mental health professionals for further evaluation and support of enrolled children.
• Provide guidance and support to Mental Health and Disabilities staff that enables timely and effective developmental and behavioral screening, observation, intervention and referral services for children and families in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards.
• Create tracking systems as requested by the Supplemental Services Team (i.e. overdue requirements or communication with center).
• Track progress of referrals as well as Track disabilities/mental health services provided to enrolled children.
• Support Mental Health and Disabilities Specialists in maintaining a resource list of community agencies in Sedgwick, Butler and Harper counties that provide mental/behavioral health and developmental support services.
• Facilitate Content Area Expert Team (CAET) meetings to determine appropriate interventions for children and ensures follow through with Mental Health and Disabilities requirements.
• Work with disabilities and mental health team to prepare referral packets.
• Build connections in community to recruit staff and to share program goals with community partners (COMCARE, Rainbows, TOP Learning Centers, etc.).

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree (B.S./B.A.) in early childhood education, social work, or related degree. If education does not include at least 9 hours of Early Childhood coursework, must commit to obtaining that additional education. An Associate’s Degree will be considered with five years of relevant experience and an educational plan to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field.
• Requires 1-3 years experience in either Early Childhood Education or in the field of childhood Mental Health and Disabilities working with children with IEPs/IFSPs, or Behavioral Plans.
• Ability to build rapport with children, families and staff and to work effectively as part of a team.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to cultural differences.
• Ability to maintain a calm, professional demeanor during stressful and sensitive situations.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Ability to prioritize workload while being flexible to emergent/unplanned needs and situations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Computer literacy.
• Ability to maintain regular on-time attendance.
• Employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 30 pounds for various classroom and event needs.

Benefits

Child Start's Supplemental Services Specialist position is $19.70 per hour, 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year.

Child Start offers competitive salary and benefits, including Medical/Dental/Vision plans, company-paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability coverage, 403(b) retirement plan, 9 paid holidays each year, and much more!

Must have legal authorization to work permanently in the United States for any employer without requiring a visa transfer or visa sponsorship.

This is not a remote position, must be able to commute daily to Wichita, KS.