Sunbeam Family Services, Inc.
Inclusion Specialist
Sunbeam Family Services, Inc., Oklahoma City, OK, United States
Job Details
Job Location
Sunbeam Family Services - Oklahoma City, OK
Position Type
Full Time
Education Level
Undergraduate Degree
Description
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Inclusion Specialist supports the Disabilities Coordinator in identifying and obtaining additional support services for children with developmental delays/disabilities. This position works collaboratively with frontline staff to streamline the referral process for the evaluation of children with potential delays by external agencies in order to determine eligibility for necessary services. This enables early childhood program compliance with the Office of Head Start's requirement of the provision of inclusive, educational services for IDEA-identified children with disabilities. The Inclusion Specialist provides instructional consultation and support to Early Head Start/ Head Start staff that facilitates the participation of children with identified disabilities in the general education Early Head Start/ Head Start classroom.
All employees and volunteers are expected to be sensitive to our clients' cultural and socioeconomic characteristics, reflect Sunbeam Family Services core values and to perform at Sunbeam's standards of excellence at all times.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Qualifications
JOB QUALIFICATIONS
Minimally Required
Preferred
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor's degree in psychology, education, early childhood, social work, special education, or a related field
Experience
One (1) year of work experience within Head Start/Early Head Start
Experience working with and for children with disabilities within an educational or Head Start/Early Head Start environment
Skills Knowledge
Abilities
Caring and compassionate attitude when interacting with and caring for children and families
Willingness to work with high-risk, low-income communities
Accepting interpersonal approach that reflects cultural sensitivity to the unique and diverse experience of families served.
Knowledge and understanding of Head Start Performance Standards and state and local childcare license requirements
Excellent command of English language and grammar, both verbal and written
Intermediate knowledge of computer operations and applications and the ability to master other computer technology/software programs, as needed
Good organizational and time management skills
Must work independently and collaboratively in a team environment
Exercise sound independent judgment
Communicate in a professional manner, demonstrating dignity, respect for internal, external, and community members
Process, protect and exercise discretion in handling confidential information and material.
Sustained concentration to detail and accuracy, along with the ability to prioritize workload
Must be able to travel and work some evenings and weekends as required by the job
Valid Oklahoma driver's license and state required vehicle insurance for any vehicle used in performance of job duties
Knowledge and understanding of Child Plus
Knowledge and understanding of IDEA law
Advanced computer database and Microsoft Office software skills
Bilingual Spanish/English speaking ability to interact with children and families from multilingual homes
WORKING CONDITIONS
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to frequently communicate with staff and others and must be able to exchange accurate information when doing so. Employee must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time and occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office equipment, attend meetings, etc. Must be able to operate and use a computer. Must be able to detect, discern, distinguish, observe, inspect and compare. Occasionally must be able to move needed materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
Work Environment
Employee will work in an office environment, may work in close quarters with other staff and small children. The noise level in the work environment varies from moderate to loud; frequent chaotic, characteristic to working with children ages 0-5 years. Employee must expect exposure to strong odors such as soiled diapers and clothing, and poor hygiene. Employee may come into contact with childhood diseases and blood on occasion.
Other
The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. The qualifications, physical demands, and work environment described herein are representative of those an employee will encounter and must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. These statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel or candidate and may be subject to change at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.
Sunbeam Family Services is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are committed to fair and equal in all its employment practices for persons without regard to race, ethnicity, color, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, religion, disability or degree thereof, national origin, domestic/marital status, political affiliation or opinion, veteran status, HIV status, AIDS status, genetic information, and any characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Job Location
Sunbeam Family Services - Oklahoma City, OK
Position Type
Full Time
Education Level
Undergraduate Degree
Description
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Inclusion Specialist supports the Disabilities Coordinator in identifying and obtaining additional support services for children with developmental delays/disabilities. This position works collaboratively with frontline staff to streamline the referral process for the evaluation of children with potential delays by external agencies in order to determine eligibility for necessary services. This enables early childhood program compliance with the Office of Head Start's requirement of the provision of inclusive, educational services for IDEA-identified children with disabilities. The Inclusion Specialist provides instructional consultation and support to Early Head Start/ Head Start staff that facilitates the participation of children with identified disabilities in the general education Early Head Start/ Head Start classroom.
All employees and volunteers are expected to be sensitive to our clients' cultural and socioeconomic characteristics, reflect Sunbeam Family Services core values and to perform at Sunbeam's standards of excellence at all times.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Exemplify Sunbeam's core values and perform work contributing to the mission of the agency.
- Promote, encourage, and display examples of leadership with clients, co-workers, and community in accordance with the agency mission.
- Maintain knowledge of evidence based practices within early childcare and development.
- Aid in completion of program-wide disabilities services reporting, actively engage in and guide the Disabilities referral process and provide data to others as needed.
- Respect the confidential and sensitive nature of the information handled/processed/shared.
- Effectively utilize the Child Plus data system, and any other information-capturing systems necessary, to document on-going Disabilities referrals and services for children enrolled in the ECS program. Provide support and monitor progress and completion of classroom individualization and home visitor individualization plans for children with IFSP's/IEP's.
- Aiding teachers in inclusion by performing site visits to help troubleshoot concerns, provide education and guide teachers on tools for working with children with disabilities. Determine appropriate modifications required to meet the unique needs of specific children with disabilities and ensuring the implementation of those modifications .
- Collaborate with ECS multi-disciplinary team members regarding pertinent information in a timely manner.
- Effectively prioritize delegated projects to accomplish tasks within specified timeframe at a high level of quality and confidentiality.
- Possess and share knowledge of the additional services available for children with potential disabilities, and how children qualify for these services, while understanding the reasoning behind types of referrals made and how the resultant services enhance a child's development.
- Assist with select Disabilities trainings for staff Professional Development Days and updates.
- Perform data entry and updating for on-going projects, including but not limited to Child Plus,
- Excel spreadsheets, the annual PIR (Program Information Report), etc.
- Aid in Disabilities related meetings, including but not limited to, Policy Council meetings, Education Meetings, IFSP/IEP Meetings, Prospective Enrollment Meetings, etc.
- Aid in continuous monitoring of the identified IFSP/IEP children in Center-Based by tracking the progress of children with disabilities toward individual service plan goals and
- instructional objectives utilizing Teaching Strategies GOLD.
- Attend all staff meetings and trainings as required.
- Represent Sunbeam in community collaborations and events as directed by supervisor.
- Promote culturally sensitive practice.
- Travel locally as required in the performance of responsibilities.
- Perform other appropriate and related responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications
JOB QUALIFICATIONS
Minimally Required
Preferred
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor's degree in psychology, education, early childhood, social work, special education, or a related field
Experience
One (1) year of work experience within Head Start/Early Head Start
Experience working with and for children with disabilities within an educational or Head Start/Early Head Start environment
Skills Knowledge
Abilities
Caring and compassionate attitude when interacting with and caring for children and families
Willingness to work with high-risk, low-income communities
Accepting interpersonal approach that reflects cultural sensitivity to the unique and diverse experience of families served.
Knowledge and understanding of Head Start Performance Standards and state and local childcare license requirements
Excellent command of English language and grammar, both verbal and written
Intermediate knowledge of computer operations and applications and the ability to master other computer technology/software programs, as needed
Good organizational and time management skills
Must work independently and collaboratively in a team environment
Exercise sound independent judgment
Communicate in a professional manner, demonstrating dignity, respect for internal, external, and community members
Process, protect and exercise discretion in handling confidential information and material.
Sustained concentration to detail and accuracy, along with the ability to prioritize workload
Must be able to travel and work some evenings and weekends as required by the job
Valid Oklahoma driver's license and state required vehicle insurance for any vehicle used in performance of job duties
Knowledge and understanding of Child Plus
Knowledge and understanding of IDEA law
Advanced computer database and Microsoft Office software skills
Bilingual Spanish/English speaking ability to interact with children and families from multilingual homes
WORKING CONDITIONS
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to frequently communicate with staff and others and must be able to exchange accurate information when doing so. Employee must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time and occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office equipment, attend meetings, etc. Must be able to operate and use a computer. Must be able to detect, discern, distinguish, observe, inspect and compare. Occasionally must be able to move needed materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
Work Environment
Employee will work in an office environment, may work in close quarters with other staff and small children. The noise level in the work environment varies from moderate to loud; frequent chaotic, characteristic to working with children ages 0-5 years. Employee must expect exposure to strong odors such as soiled diapers and clothing, and poor hygiene. Employee may come into contact with childhood diseases and blood on occasion.
Other
The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. The qualifications, physical demands, and work environment described herein are representative of those an employee will encounter and must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. These statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel or candidate and may be subject to change at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.
Sunbeam Family Services is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are committed to fair and equal in all its employment practices for persons without regard to race, ethnicity, color, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, religion, disability or degree thereof, national origin, domestic/marital status, political affiliation or opinion, veteran status, HIV status, AIDS status, genetic information, and any characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.