Service Coordinator-Mercer

Position Summary:

Ensures that children and their families eligible under Part C obtain the supports and services they need, as authorized under the NJ Department of Health Early Intervention Program. Performs duties of Service Coordinator who assists in providing and coordination of service for children with special needs (birth to 3 years); coordinates a comprehensive Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) to address the child/family’s needs, if child eligible; Provides information about resources available in the community to support the child and family.

Disclaimer:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties and responsibilities that are required by the employee.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

• Service Coordinator follows all NJDOH Policies and Procedures related to Early Intervention Evaluation and facilitates and participates in the development, review and evaluation of the IFSP.
• Reviews evaluation for eligibility summary with family and when appropriate reviews completed Progress Summary Forms with families. Informs families of applicable procedural safeguards rights.
• Schedules any additional assessments prior to IFSP meeting. Coordinates scheduling of the IFSP meeting with targeted evaluation team, receiving team and family.
• Arranges and holds face to face Family Information Gathering meeting and completion of Family Directed Assessment tool to assist in determining the family’s concerns, priorities and resources which includes family finances. Also discusses insurance issues, if appropriate.
• Explains the purpose and mission of early intervention in coaching families for success with their own child. Knowledgeable about reinforcing child’s skill set within family’s daily routines, clarifies differences between early intervention and a medical rehab model.
• Discusses the process of IFSP development with the family. Explains to the family that they may invite and include anyone they choose in their IFSP meeting. Ensures scheduling of IFSP meeting is at a convenient time, date and location for the family.
• Facilitate the IFSP meeting, including introductions, discussing meeting time frame, roles of participants. Develop/write the IFSP document with the family and team. Support family in expressing their concerns and needs. Assure the inclusion of family support, as appropriate, throughout the development of the IFSP.
• With family’s consent discuss all relevant evaluation information gathered from other sources at the IFSP. Identify additional medical, health, and support needs (e.g. DDD, Medicaid, SSI, Insurance, WIC etc.) in the IFSP.
• With parental consent mail summary of child’s EI evaluation to Primary Care Provider, (PCP) with Universal Health Form.
• Following the IFSP meeting, fax the service page to the REIC when completed.
• Inform families of applicable procedural safeguards and provide prior written notice when necessary.
• Assist Families in identifying available early intervention services.
• After IFSP, Service Coordinator works with their SC unit in ensuring the child/family’s accurate information is on the County Master Spread Sheet for assignment to comprehensive early intervention provider(s) who will act as the family’s “EI home”. Ensure that specific special conditions such as scheduling issues, service location(s) and language needs of family are listed and accommodated.
• Notify family of service provider agency, EI practitioner, and anticipated start dates. Contact, monitor and assure implementation of all IFSP services and family supports within 30 days of IFSP development. Inform families of applicable procedural safeguards and provide prior written notice when necessary.
• Service Coordinator adds the names of service providers and actual start dates to the service page. The Service Coordinator, Service Coordinator Associate or Administrative Personnel faxes the completed service page to the REIC for data entry.
• Fax entire IFSP, including justification, to REIC when services are not provided in natural environments for review and approval.
• Inform families of, and help them access resources available through the Early Intervention System and other sources for information on child development, disabilities, family support and other relevant information.
• Interpersonal relationships, coordinate and monitor the delivery of services.
• Establish ongoing, supportive working relationship with the family and early intervention providers to discuss child’s progress, family concerns and priorities.
• Coordinate the date, time and participation of necessary team members (in person, by phone, or written report) of periodic reviews including review of Periodic Summaries.
• Schedule periodic reviews and annual reviews of the IFSP when issues arise concerning a child’s outcomes and/or services (including frequency and intensity), or a change in the family’s concerns, priorities and resources that affects service delivery. A periodic review occurs whenever changes/additions to outcomes and/or services are considered. This is where the discussion of changes and/or additions takes place.
• Assure reviews occur at least every six months and annually. Periodic reviews are required when concerns arise relating to a children/family’s outcomes and/or services. Ongoing Monitoring of IFSP
• Continually incorporate appropriate medical/health information into the IFSP and assist the family in accessing services/supports to address specific medical needs. Become knowledgeable about family health insurance procedures.
• Provide support to families regarding medical appointments and obtain copies of reports if family agrees. Continue to assist families in accessing the necessary supports identified to accomplish outcomes written in the IFSP.
• Complete ongoing re-examination of family’s concerns, priorities and resources. Inform families of applicable procedural safeguards and provide prior written notice when necessary.
• Service Coordinator is knowledgeable about all phases of transition. Facilitate the development of a Transition Plan to preschool or alternative services.
• Develop and document transition plans with the family and in the IFSP as close to the child’s 2nd birthday as possible. Clarify with family their concerns about preschool services and offer resources to support families, such as riding the bus, what the classroom will be like, etc.
• Hold a Transition Information Meeting when the child is between 24-30 months of age. Assist the family to define and express their concerns for their child’s services after their third birthday.
• Discuss the intent and purpose of the Transition Planning Conference with the family at the Transition Information Meeting. With the parent’s consent, hold a Transition Planning Conference with a representative from the school district’s child study team, when the child is between 30-32 months of age.
• Share NJEIS Transition Handbook with family and review contents. Ensure family receives a copy of the Special Education Parental Rights Handbook (PRISE). Provide the family with a list of advocacy and parent groups as appropriate.
• Assist families with completing a request for an eligibility evaluation and release of records to the school district’s child study team. Inform families of applicable procedural safeguards and provide prior written notice when necessary.
• Identifies any barriers to a smooth transition and works with their administration, school system, and REIC for resolution.
• Additional Service Coordinator Responsibilities.
• Understand and support of NJ’s early intervention system, philosophy and procedures.
• Ability to work effectively with families and communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Good problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work with diverse populations and demonstrate cultural competence.
• Ability to multi task and work in fast paced environment and be a team player.
• Knowledgeable of Part C Regulations, NJ EI system, child development and procedural safeguards and complaint investigations.
• Ability to travel to families’ homes/community agencies and state meeting locations. Valid driver’s license.
• Attending all required meetings, workshops and trainings at local, county, regional and state levels such as Orientation, Transition to Preschool, Procedural Safeguards, weekly supervisory SC Unit meetings.
• Maintain professional relationships with all staff, REIC, County EI Providers, community agencies, DHSS staff, Service Coordinators from other counties and school personnel.
• Able to utilize fax, computer, email, telephone and fax.
• Timely submission of reports – Monthly statistics, SC logs, etc.
• Attend annual trainings related to DYFS policies and Community Safety Trainings – annual Communicable Diseases.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Working Conditions:

There are no unusual work conditions associated with this position. Noise level in the office is moderate. Professional/business attire is required. Employees are required to attend meetings at external locations and will therefore experience external weather conditions.

Education: Meets criteria as determined by New Jersey DOH Personnel Criteria which (1) meets the standards for any professional level early intervention personnel position OR (2) Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution in related health, human service or education field and a minimum of one year documented professional experience working with children and families in a counseling, supporting, or case management role.

Computer proficiency required with Microsoft programs including Windows, Outlook, Office 2007, Access, Excel, Power Point, Publisher and Word. Strong interpersonal & oral/written communication skills required.

Valid Driver’s license with the ability to provide proof of ongoing automobile insurance coverage is required. This position will entail reimbursable local and statewide travel utilizing personal vehicle.

Physical Requirements:

This position requires frequent driving, typing, crawling, kneeling, twisting, bending and squatting. You will also be required to occasionally lift up to twenty pounds of materials or equipment.