Early Interventionist

Job Description

Job Description

Early Interventionist

Early Care and Education Programs

Agency Overview 

Felton Institute responds to the needs of our community by providing innovative, evidence-informed social services that transform lives. Our organization offers 60+ programs that address mental health, the unhoused, early care and education, those impacted by the justice system, transitional age youth, as well as aging adults. Our programs combine the latest scientific research with cultural sensitivity and a deep commitment to supporting and reflecting the communities we serve. Felton offers a dynamic, challenging, and supportive work environment where we encourage the use of professional development, that staff can utilize throughout their career.

Division Description 
Felton’s Children, Youth, Family, and Transitional Age Youth division offers comprehensive, early care and education, family support, and mental health services across San Francisco to over 400 families.  

Via a two-generation approach, Felton’s Family Support services promote strong families and optimal development for their children by focusing on the Strengthening Families Framework. The primary function of the family supports The Five Protective Factors; parental resilience, increase social connections, increase knowledge of parenting and child development, providing concrete support in times of need, and supporting social-emotional competence in young children. This approach serves as a one-stop integrated service continuum, supporting families to address their needs largely under one roof, with a core group of staff with whom they can build trusting, supportive relationships.  

The opportunity:

Felton Institute is seeking a passionate and experienced Early Interventionist to join our team. In this role, you will lead efforts to enhance Felton’s coordinated and integrated system of care for children with special needs aged 0-5. This role will lead the implementation of developmental playgroup services for children, primarily aged birth to three, who demonstrate developmental concerns but do not qualify for formal early intervention programs. This role will focus on creating inclusive and culturally responsive play environments that support children's developmental milestones and promote learning gains in a joyful and creative atmosphere.

Brief Overview:

The Early Interventionist will lead developmental playgroup services for children who may be experiencing developmental concerns or delays, particularly those from low-income communities of color. These playgroups aim to provide accessible, culturally responsive, and developmentally appropriate play opportunities where diverse identities can be explored and reflected. They are intended for children at risk for developmental issues or exhibiting mild to moderate delays, who may not meet the requirements for formal early intervention programs. The playgroups will focus on building developmental skills in communication, fine motor, adaptive, gross motor, and problem-solving areas for children from birth to 5 years old. Applicants should consider how parents will be engaged and involved in supporting their children's development both during play sessions and at home. As an Early Interventionist, you will be responsible for strategizing ways to actively engage parents in supporting their children's development during play sessions and beyond.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Design and Content Development:

• With support from the EII Leadership team, will design engaging and stimulating play content aligned with developmental domains, age groups and specific and targeted skills.
• Develop culturally responsive play opportunities that reflect the diversity of the community.
• Provide home-based activity handouts or resources in multiple languages to parents and caregivers, including digitally enabled play content [Sparkler & ASQ] organized by age group and skills.
• Obtain, maintain, and distribute materials and supplies required for playgroup activities at designated sites and children's homes. 

Implementation and Facilitation:

• Facilitate developmental playgroup sessions, ensuring that activities align with developmental objectives.
• Provide guidance and support to playgroup instructors, trainers, or facilitators on child development principles and playgroup dynamics.
• Coordinate the setup and logistics of playgroup sessions at various locations throughout the community. 

Monitoring and Assessment:

• Administer developmental screening tools before and after playgroup sessions to track children's progress.
• Monitor children's participation and engagement during playgroup activities, noting any developmental concerns.
• Address developmental concerns and design play content around specific developmental objectives.
• Provide consultation to playgroup parents and caregivers as needed
• Collect feedback from parents and caregivers regarding the effectiveness of playgroup sessions. 

Direct Intervention:

• Conduct assessments and evaluations for children aged 0-5 with disabilities or at risk of disabilities to identify developmental strengths and areas of concern.
• Develop and implement individualized intervention plans tailored to address children's developmental needs and provide support to their families.
• Deliver direct services, including therapeutic interventions, developmental activities, and parent education, to children and families.
• Collaborate with therapists, educators, and medical professionals to coordinate services and ensure multidisciplinary care.
• Monitor children's progress, adjusting intervention plans as necessary to promote ongoing developmental growth and family support.
• Provide guidance and support to families in navigating the early intervention system, accessing resources, and advocating for their child's needs.
• Maintain accurate documentation of assessments, interventions, and progress to ensure continuity of care and support program evaluation.
• Provide coverage for all early intervention services as needed. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bilingual Spanish Speaker-Preferred 
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in early childhood education, special education, or a related field, with a focus on children with developmental delays or disabilities.
• At least 1 year experience with writing intervention plans, collecting data and monitoring progress.
• Proven experience in care coordination, case management, and family support.
• Bachelors’ Degree from an accredited college or university program in Early Childhood Special Education, Special Education, Inclusive Education, or other education-related or social science field preferred. Credentialed or licensed eligible preferred.
• Must pass Department of Justice Fingerprint screening
• Fingerprinting Clearance DOJ/FBI & Clearance Child Abuse Index
• Current Immunizations (TB, Influenza, MMR, Pertussis) and Physical Health Screening (every 2 years thereafter)
• Provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination +Booster
• Current CPR & First Aid Certificate (every 2 years thereafter). 

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Principles and practices of referral, evaluation, intervention, ongoing assessment and transition for children and families from Early Intervention
• Federal laws (IDEA Part C) governing early intervention and how those laws are implemented in California
• Knowledge about community-based organization and resource development
• Knowledge of crisis intervention and prevention principles and practices
• Familiarity with SFUSD, early childhood special education services, and other special services providers in the local area
• Good understanding of current issues and best practices in the fields of Early Intervention, Early Childhood Special Education, Inclusion, and family support
• Understanding of typical growth and development of children throughout their lifespan, with specific knowledge about atypical development and risks
• Ability to lift 25 – 40 pounds as needed every day; this includes children and equipment
• Ability to bend, stoop, sit on floor, lower, and raise self from floor during classroom activities, and to use both hands to grasp securely on a consistent basis. Can move quickly when responding to an emergency
• Awareness of and ability to address the culturally unique needs of the target population
• Competent computer skills, including working knowledge and use of Microsoft Word Processing, Microsoft Office, Excel and other online tracking databases
• Strong verbal, written, organizational and communication skills
• Ability to appropriately handle confidential information
• Ability to set appropriate boundaries with clients/staff.
• Able to work effectively in an organizational setting; understands how to utilize the chain of command to resolve problems and bring program development ideas forward; is able to proactively collaborate with other supervisors, consultants, and directors to ensure the best possible training for staff and service delivery for clients.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision and to work effectively as a team member
• Ability to be a team player with a welcoming attitude. 

This position has a daily schedule of 10-6pm at least 2 days a week and interested candidates must be comfortable with this later schedule.

Additional Information:

Reports to: Early Intervention Inclusion Director

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Onsite

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Salary Range: $32-$34 per hour (DOE)

Benefits (subject to election and eligibility): Fully-Paid Medical and Dental Plans; Health Reimbursement Card, Paid Time Off (personal, vacation, and sick time), 403B with company match.

This position is union-represented by SEIU Local 1021 and is subject to the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

IMP NOTE: Job responsibilities are subject to change according to program requirements.