DISABILITY COORDINATOR

Disability Coordinator (Job Description) Department: Early Childhood Development

Category: RFT

Reports to:

Early Childhood Development Director Hours of Work: 40 hours

PCN: P601

Level: G-09s

FLSA Status: Exempt

Date Approved: 01/22/2025 HP

SUMMARY The Disability Coordinator is responsible for planning and assisting teachers and home visitors in implementing services for FNA Head Start children displaying a developmental delay or diagnosed disability. Working in partnership with families, teachers, home visitors and partnering agencies they guide the development of a plan of care that incorporate IFSP or IEP goals. Provide coaching as well as mentoring about disability best practices in relation to early learning as requested by the Education Managers of Early Head Start and Head Start. The incumbent will support comprehensive learning as well as the social emotional development of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and Alaska Child Care Licensing Regulations. JOB DUTIES Implement FNA Head Start 0-5 Disabilities Policies and Procedures to guide action, in coordination with the Head Start Performance Standards while supporting a comprehensive continuum of services to children with special needs. Facilitate the referral process for children identified through the screening process, or by other means, who need further evaluation, supportive services, or treatment. Participate or coordinate with partnering school district liaison(s) in the IFSP and IEP development and review process. Maintain all necessary tracking systems (including the use of ChildPlus), files, documentation, records and reporting forms related to both disabilities and coaching/education related component areas. Ensure all required activity is performed within prescribed times, kept current, and that monitoring reports documenting services are accurate and accessible. Use data from sources including but not limited to monitoring reports, program information report reviews, child screenings and assessments, and annual needs assessments to evaluate services and implement changes or innovative approaches to support teachers, children, and families. Reference: Head Start.gov or Head Start Act. Become knowledgeable of community and agency resources that serve children with special needs and link families to these resources. Work in tandem with staff and community resources to foster coordinated and integrated services for children with special needs. Arrange for supportive services (transportation, information, or resources) for families to get to and from child-related appointments. Monitor services children receive both on-site and off-site (Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech/Language, other therapeutic services, learning environment set-up, including IFSP or IEP reviews). Participate in staff development and other training programs relevant to the professional role. Arrange training, follow-up, and support services for teaching staff as needs indicate, or as requested by staff and approved by management. Work with Education Managers and Family Wellness Coordinator as needed to provide comprehensive services including, family engagement activities or meetings focused on children with disabilities using the Family Goal setting process. Facilitate transition processes, advocating for appropriate placement for children with special needs. Assist with staff training on age and developmentally appropriate environments, child development theories, curriculum, materials and equipment for an inclusive classroom and center, to include playgrounds. Participate in the annual program self-assessment and engage in ongoing assessment of the quality of services provided by the disabilities, education, and child development components. Perform classroom observations using schedule coordinated by the Education Managers and CLASS Coaches. Provide input during work groups to assess program needs and planning strategies for system/process improvement and/or development of early childhood education, disabilities, and mental health. Incumbent of this position must work well under pressure, meeting multiple and conflicting deadlines. The incumbent shall always demonstrate cooperative behavior with colleagues, supervisors, consultants, program families adhering to FNA Employee Policy and Office of Head Start Performance Standards. Attend staff meetings, family support meetings, and other scheduled meetings and required trainings. Adhere to all State licensing regulations and Head Start Performance Standards. Act as a positive role model for children, especially regarding respecting the feelings and rights of others. Follow program procedures for reporting child abuse and neglect. Perform other job-related duties as assigned. NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITY Strong understanding and knowledge of the Head Start Performance Standards, State of Alaska Licensing requirements, the FNA HS 0-5 written work plan and policies and procedures. Culturally competent and sensitive to diverse lifestyles, gender neutral, generation sensitivity and ability to interact and work with Alaska Native and American Indian populations. Strong understanding and verbal communication skills and strong interpersonal and leadership skills with the ability to organize and prioritize work assignments. Ability to report to work in a timely manner. Knowledge of customer service concepts and practices. Skill in operating personal computer utilizing a variety of computer software. Skill in managing multiple priorities and tasks concurrently and meet deadlines. Skill in oral and written communication. Skill in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with other employees. Ability to work independently and on a work team. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Education & Experience) BA degree or higher in Early Childhood Special Education or related field with minimum of 12 credits in Early Childhood Education/Child Development. Two (2) years of experience working in an Early Childhood or Head Start Program. Three references demonstrating positive experience working with or caring for children with developmental delays or diagnosed disabilities. Current Infant/Toddler CPR/First Aide or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire. Must have good organizational skills with the ability for accurate and time recordkeeping (electronic and paper) Ability to work with teachers, supervisors, parents, children and volunteers. Must maintain confidentiality of records and communications. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (Education & Experience) Adult learning training and experience preferred, including coaching teaching staff about best practices and the Head Start Performance Standards. Experience using Creative Curriculum, Teaching Strategies Gold, Practice Based Coaching and CLASS. Two (2) years of experience working in a Head Start Program with infants, toddler, and preschool age children. Two (2) year experience working with children and families in Alaska Native Settings. WORKING ENVIRONMENT The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position corresponds to medium work, involving physical exertion of 20-50 lbs. frequently; such exertion involves the lifting and/or moving of young children in the program, and/or goods and materials within the facility. There is frequent walking, standing, climbing, stooping, bending, and squatting/crouching in an indoor classroom as well as an outdoor environment. Most of the work is performed in a classroom setting with a wide variety of people with differing functions, personalities, and abilities. The office is a non-smoking facility with outside smoking areas. May involve local travel between various program components of FNA and home visits where exposure to extreme weather conditions are likely. Works in an environment where protection of client confidentiality is essential. Personal Protective Equipment will be provided where/when needed. SPECIFICATIONS Supervision Received: Position receives direct supervision from ECE Director; however, incumbent is expected to effectively perform day-to-day activity as denoted within job description. Work will be monitored through weekly meetings, monthly reports, and regular communication with the Education Managers and Director. General guidelines for operations are based on program requirements and the general policies and procedures of FNA Head Start 0-5 Supervision Exercised: No supervision requirements for this position. Position Impact : Impact at the program level is high. Program’s level of compliance with program standards is directly affected by the effective performance of duties, especially as they relate to providing education services to children and families. Contacts: Contacts include, and not limited to, volunteers, staff, parents, children, and outside agencies. ACKNOWLEDGMENT STATEMENT This Job Description describes the essential functions and qualifications. It is not an exhaustive statement of all the duties, responsibilities, or qualifications of the job; and management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, job-related duties. This document is not intended to exclude modifications consistent with providing reasonable accommodation for a disability. This position will (or may) require you to frequently (or incidentally) drive your personal vehicle for FNA business. Per FNA’s automotive insurance policy, to drive an FNA-owned vehicle, an individual must be at least 21 years of age. To drive an FNA-owned vehicle with consumers in the vehicle, an individual must be at least 25 years of age. No employee. may transport a FNA consumer in a personal vehicle. Continued employment status will be contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal background investigation and the pre-employment drug testing process. Where required, continued employment status (post job offer) will be contingent upon employee providing certification of annual tuberculosis (TB) screening and medical certification that employee does not, because of infectious or communicable disease, pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of program participants or others in the workplace. Notice: All employment at the Fairbanks Native Association (FNA) is “at will.” This means the employee or FNA may terminate employment at any time and for any reason. Unless specified in writing, no duration of employment is expressed or implied for this position. Your signature indicates that you have read this Job Description and understand the essential functions of and qualifications for the job. _____________________ Employee Printed Name ______________________ Employee Signature ______________ Date _____________________ Supervisor Printed Name ______________________ Supervisor Signature ______________Date