Abilities Network, a multiple year winner of the Baltimore Sun's Top Workplace award, is looking for an Inclusion Specialist to work in their Project ACT program. Project ACT serves Maryland's early childhood community to promote high quality care for all children through training and coaching. Inclusion Specialists provide early childhood mental health and behavior consultation to early childhood professionals in child care programs, preschools, head starts, and family child care programs using a practice-based coaching model to prevent the expulsion of children age birth to five. Inclusion Specialists support children's social emotional development, promote the inclusion of children with special needs, and address behavioral challenges using a reflective coaching approach and trauma informed practices. Inclusion Specialists develop behavior plans, provide coaching on-site at early childhood programs, provide formal training to early childhood professionals, and model developmentally appropriate strategies and inclusive practices. This is a great opportunity to join a growing non-profit organization with an amazing culture and team environment. We are currently offering a new hire bonus of $1800! At Abilities Network, we cultivate inclusive communities through relationships, innovation and high-quality services. We accomplish this by living close to our values of respect, well-being, reflection and courage and using them to guide our decision making. If you want to contribute to an organization of people passionate about using relationships to support the empowerment of others then we have a position where you can make a difference. Key responsibilities and functions may include, but are not limited to: Observe childcare settings and provide feedback regarding strengths as well as recommendations for universal behavior supports and best practices to improve the classroom environment. Develop a written support plan for individual children containing strategies for behavior change with the goal of preventing expulsion and promoting social emotional competencies. Collaborate with childcare providers and parents to generate a support plan containing developmentally appropriate and trauma informed strategies. Assist classroom staff in implementing strategies through reflective coaching, on-site modeling, training sessions and other supports as needed. Address children's mental health needs through a consultative model, providing referral to direct therapeutic services when needed. Informally address children's speech and language, cognitive, physical, and social and emotional development as well as daily living skills by making recommendations for enhancing development or referring families to appropriate intervention resources when needed. Facilitate collaborative planning and support families when children receive services through an IEP/IFSP. Provide parents with the education, tools, knowledge and support to become more self-sufficient in advocating for the full inclusion of their child with mental health needs, disabilities, and/or challenging behaviors. Implement community and grant-funded training and mentoring sessions. Develop trainings for early childhood professionals and out-of-school-time providers regarding mental health issues, developmentally appropriate practices, trauma informed practices, the inclusion of children with disabilities, and/or managing challenging behavior as assigned or requested. The ideal candidate will have the following education and experience: Master's Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Special Education, Early Childhood Education, Psychology, or a related field. Experience working with children with challenging behaviors, mental health concerns, trauma histories, or developmental disabilities. A minimum of 4 years of classroom experience working with children ages birth to 5. Strong professional presentation skills. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills. Access to transportation as needed to fulfill the duties of position. Preferred Skills and Qualifications: Coursework in curriculum and child development. Knowledge of child care systems including Maryland EXCELS, accreditation, environmental rating scales and training requirements. Bilingual with fluency in Mandarin, Urdu or Spanish. Experience with reflective and/or practice based coaching. Abilities Network offers eligible employees a comprehensive benefits packaging including: Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance Company paid Life/AD&D Insurance and Long-Term Disability Insurance 403(b) plan Flexible Spending Accounts Paid Time Off, Sick Leave, Paid Holidays, Anniversary Day Off Tuition Reimbursement New Hire Bonus of up to $1800 Participate in the Employee Referral Bonus Program and earn up to $1800 per hire Abilities Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply. It is our policy to recruit, hire, train, and promote individuals without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, veteran status, status as a qualified individual with a disability, sexual orientation, or any other category covered by applicable law. Employment Type: Full Time Years Experience: 3 - 5 years Salary: $45,000 Annual Bonus/Commission: No