Early Intervention Specialist - Screening

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Early Intervention Specialist – Screening is primarily responsible for guiding parents and providers through the process of Early Identification and Referrals for Special Needs and provides Individualized Intervention Practices for children in the School Readiness Program. Through the Warm Line, Early Intervention Specialists – Screening serves as subject area experts for families, providers, and community members on how to access support and services in the community for children with suspected or identified delays. The specialist is also responsible for monitoring ASQ’s for developmental concerns. Specialists provide training and technical assistance for childcare providers. This position develops, implements, and monitors intervention activities relating to the needs of a child identified through screenings. The specialist serves as a liaison with families and providers to access community resources. The specialist also supports early intervention services while promoting and growing inclusive early education programs in the community. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Guide parents and providers through the process of Early Identification and Referral for Special Needs and provide Individualized Intervention Practices to include Concern Identification, Concern Analysis, Intervention 
• implementation, Plan evaluation, Referrals to Early Intervention services or specialized care, and Accurate Data recording. 
• Independently manage workload and navigate complex processes; including guiding parents through the delicate process of discovering their child may need additional support and/or require special education services. 
• Advanced time management skills and handling multiple priorities 
• Ensure all data/contact made with families, providers, and agencies related to screening or intervention is accurately entered into the appropriate database. 
• Communicate with childcare providers about the needed follow up screenings for children scoring below developmental norms at the time of initial enrollment into School Readiness services and subsequent annual screenings. 
• Identify, educate, and promote awareness on the importance of inclusivity for children with disabilities and special health care needs. 
• For SR children with an IFSP/IEP, consult and collaborate with childcare center upon request, as well as assist in accessing the Special Needs Rate.
• Actively engage families and providers in conversations related to the importance of early screening and intervention. 
• Review and follow up on weekly report of ASQ-3, providing triage and case management to address developmental concerns, provide individualized developmental strategies, additional screening, and the initiation of referral to Early Steps and Child Find and/or identify when support is no longer needed. 
• Prompt communication with families and providers on results of ASQ-3 for the purpose of creating and implementing an Individualized Intervention Support Plan, including discussion of recommended referrals, developmental activities, and/or community supports. 
• In collaboration with family, provider, and child, complete informal and/or formal standardized screenings and submit Child Find for the consideration of further evaluation. Screenings take place at Child Care Centers and the ELCHC Office. 
• Connect parents to community resources/agencies for children with individual needs. 
• Collaborate and follow up with community partners to streamline inclusion, referrals, screening, evaluation, and support children with developmental concerns. 
• Respond to field and remote Warm Line requests, providing resources, referrals, and supportive guidance to all school readiness families. 
• Work on special projects related to Inclusion and serving children with Special Needs, Social Emotional curriculum, Inclusion training of workforce development and other committees, as assigned 
• Attend regular professional development workshops, training and/or professional conferences documenting a minimum of 30 hours of professional development annually 
• Significant travel is required within Hillsborough County with compensation. 
• Site visits to childcare programs are required- to complete screenings. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES 

None. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution in early childhood education, social services, or other closely related field
• Willingness to complete screenings at the childcare center
• Ability to exemplify our Core Values.
• Proven ability to connect with a diverse population, including parents, foster parents, etc.
• Familiarity and experience with screening tools for determining children’s need for evaluations.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in early child development, with a (preferred) minimum of 2 years supporting children with disabilities or delays.
• Knowledge of School Readiness and VPK policies and procedures (Florida Statutes and Florida 
• Administrative Code), especially as it relates to quality initiatives and School Readiness Health and Safety requirements.
• Understanding various early learning special education needs and services
• Successful completion of the level 2 background screening standards as set forth in s. 435.04, F.S. 
• Valid Florida’s driver license and the ability to drive a passenger vehicle.
• Bi-lingual English/Spanish preferred
• Advanced organizational, analytical, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Intermediate skills with Microsoft Office Products and navigate multiple databases

Physical Activity/ Work Environment 

• Work Environment: This job operates in a general office setting and childcare center environment. This role routinely involves standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copiers/fax machines. While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently interacts with staff, vendors, and the public in person and via telephone and email. 
• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to sit for prolonged periods, at a desk, utilizing a computer, reviewing online, and paper documents. The employee will also be required to lift and move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and move up to 50 pounds. 
• Position Type and Expected Hours of Work: Standard hours of work are Monday through Friday however evening and weekend hours may be required.