Grant-Funded Early Intervention Specialist

Part C Services Coordinator

The City of Alexandria is located in northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Early Intervention Specialist position.

An Overview

Under the regulatory guideline of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, this position works collaboratively with a team of professionals to assist in the coordination of Part C services for families who have children under the age of three years in accessing services that promote the development of children and increase the self-sufficiency of families as outlined under Part C of The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (I.D.E.A.) and its supporting regulations. The Part C Services Coordinator provides developmental screenings, routine-based intakes, and direct coordination of services to ensure that eligible children and families receive services that reflect their needs. The incumbent p erforms work in accordance with state Part C recognized practitioner qualifications, level and scope of work. Work is performed under the supervision of the Early Intervention Supervisor.

What You Should Bring

The ideal candidate should have:

Interpersonal Skills/ Teamwork - Ability to interface with all individuals in a manner that is free from racial discrimination. Demonstrate an understanding that an integrated and coordinated team approach is essential when delivering effective early intervention supports and services to infants and toddlers and their families. Knowledge of team models, including how teams develop, team processes and dynamics; Ability to work effectively and consult with a variety of early intervention team members and community partners in determining eligibility, conducting assessment for service planning, and planning and implementing integrated intervention strategies, supports and services for children and their families.

Communication - Ability to effectively communicate with a variety of stakeholders in a jargon free and culturally sensitive manner both orally and in written formats; Ability to comprehensively orient newly referred families and conduct interviews and effectively consult with families. Ability to develop and deliver presentations and training sessions. Ability to prepare and maintain records and reports both written and electronically as required.

Accountability and Excellence - Ability to coordinate and monitor the delivery of necessary and appropriate services; Knowledge of current trends, practices, research and ethical considerations regarding early intervention services, and ability to apply recommended research-based effective practices; Commitment to professional growth and development through ongoing participation in training, professional organizations and literature review and research.

Flexibility/Adaptability - Ability to build and maintain parent-professional partnerships with families; Respects the cultural diversity of all families; Demonstrate respect for diverse family structures, dynamics, learning styles, coping styles, daily activities, routines, and environments; Ability to build on families’ strengths to enhance their confidence and competence as they move through the early intervention process; Understanding of practices that support and empower families, including the ability to advocate for and secure supports and services for themselves, throughout the early intervention process.

Judgment and Problem Solving - Ability to use effective problem-solving, decision-making and conflict resolution strategies.

Early Intervention Foundations - Knowledge of relevant federal legislation and regulations, and state policies and procedures that provide the basis for the Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia. Knowledge of typical and atypical infant/toddler development. Knowledge of early trauma and systems impact on family structure. Knowledge of family centered practice. Knowledge of Virginia’s EI service pathway. Knowledge of funding sources for Part C supports and services. Understanding of the impact of family structure, dynamics, health, mental health and multiple languages on infant/toddler development. Understanding of the impact of cultural influences such as economic status, mental health issues, home and/or community violence influences on infant/toddler development. Knowledge of medical conditions, nutritional issues, and biological and environmental risk factors that may affect infant/toddler development including issues related to prematurity, special health care needs, and prenatal exposure to toxins and infectious diseases. Understanding of the importance of social-emotional development as the foundation for building healthy relationships with adults and peers.

Racial Equity - Demonstrate deep commitment to racial equity, and familiarity with racial equity principles. Experience engaging in difficult conversations with individuals and groups around race, equity, diversity and inclusion.

The Opportunity

Intake and Eligibility Determination

• Conduct routines-based intake and developmental screening appointment with parent and child as needed.
• Coordinates the developmental evaluation and service planning meeting as needed.
• Gathers, synthesizes and interprets information from medical reports, developmental screening results, parent report, observation summaries, and assessment summaries to determine appropriate intervention as needed.

Case Management

• Serve as the primary contact for families in the Part C system.
• Actively monitors and coordinates early intervention services through virtual or in-person meetings and telephone conferences with family and other team members.
• Maintains telephone or in-person contacts with each family at least monthly to ensure children are receiving services according to the IFSP.
• Continuously reviews and discusses progress towards established outcomes, and the family’s satisfaction with services received.
• Provides information to families on future placements and other matters related to the child’s transition.
• Adheres to federal timelines regarding timely assessment and evaluation, delivery of services, and Part B transition.
• Ensures that required procedural safeguards are implemented and fully explained to families within federally required guidelines.
• Uses racial-equity practices when providing all early intervention services.

Evaluation and Service Planning

• Serves at the attending services coordinator through the evaluation and service plan development.
• Participates in multidisciplinary assessments to determine eligibility and service planning recommendations.
• Facilitates and participates in the development of the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) ensuring that the family understands their rights and that the IFSP accurately reflects the child and family’s needs.
• Prepares specialized reports for families, physicians, and other service providers that detail the developmental strengths and needs of each infant and toddler assessed.

Documentation

• Completes and documents administrative functions related to all early intervention activities.
• Completes required notes within local, state, and federal timelines.
• Ensures that all early intervention records are in compliance with federal, state and departmental regulations.

Resource Liaison

• Builds the capacity of families to find and participate in community services and resources and serve as liaison between the program and the family.
• Identify, coordinate, and utilize community resources when making referrals and linkages for services outside of early intervention.
• Maintains a resource directory and identifies needed community resources.
• Conducts community outreach and awareness activities as needed.

Professional and Team Development

• Attend and participate in training programs designed to enhance performance and to keep abreast of early intervention and early childhood development trends.
• Participates in peer record review and quality management activities.
• Participates in staff meetings, interagency meetings, and activities as assigned.
• Performs related work as required.

About the Department

The Center for Children and Families (CCF) provides programs and services for Behavioral Health, Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, Child Welfare & Child Protective Services, Early Childhood and Youth Development. CCF provides compassionate, collaborative and effective person and family-centered services based on best practices. Our teams support self-determination, safety, recovery and resiliency for Alexandria children and all residents affected by abuse, neglect, mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance abuse disorders.

Minimum & Additional Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in allied health, child and family studies, early childhood; human development; psychology, public health, nursing; counseling; social work; special education or other related field approved by the Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia and certified as an Early Intervention Professional or, Early Intervention Specialist, or Early Intervention Case Manager, or eligible to obtain certification within 30 days of employment offer.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree in social work, education, psychology or other related allied health/ human service field; Infant Mental Health certification, endorsement, or waiver; Certification/registration or licensure as a Social Worker, Family Therapist, Counselor, Assistant Behavior Analyst, Behavior Analyst, Educator, Allied Health Services Therapist or Psychologist; At least two years in the infant, early childhood, and family mental health field OR two years post-master’s clinical experience; At least one year of case management experience, At least one year of multidisciplinary team experience; Bilingual English/Spanish or English/ Amharic or English/ Arabic or other locally prevalent languages needed by the program.

Notes

This position requires the successful completion of pre-employment background checks including but not limited to: FBI/Federal Records Check; VA State Child Abuse/Neglect Registry; Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Database; Verification of education/certifications; Drug screening; and Driver's license.

Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00AM - 5:00PM.