Description

Job Summary:

The Early Intervention Assistant provides developmental intervention to children with disabilities and their families in natural and inclusive environments, under the direction of an Early Childhood Specialist (ECS). Will both directly and in consultation with Early Childhood Specialist and other team members, support parents to grow in their understanding of how to foster maximum growth and development of their child, by working towards achieving the goals, objectives and hopes of the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP). Will collaborate with intervention staff in opportunities to coach parents, caregivers and community members in the area of child development, inclusion, family support (during Parent Cafés, community outings, or small group conversations).

Essential Functions:

• Under the supervision of the ECS implement designated early intervention services and activities on caseload in natural and inclusive environments to support child and family meet their individualized IFSP goals and objectives.
• Responsible to understands and demonstrates appropriate dispositions of the Six Foundational Principles as outlined in the Early Start Personnel manual.
• Maintain a minimum of 45% productivity threshold during a regular 40-hour work week schedule. Direct service productivity standard will be modified based on individual staff’s scheduled work hours.
• Assist with the evaluation and assessment activities in accordance with current state laws, regulations, and timelines as needed/requested. Work in close collaboration with the ECS to ensure consistent understanding and strategies are being implemented when working with individual infant/toddler and his/her family.
• Support with identifying child and family strengths, typical routines and activities, preferred teaching and learning strategies in partnership with the family and the ECS.
• Regularly communicate and consult with the ECS and other team members regarding progress, challenges and/or emerging issues to strategize cohesive approach for the family.
• Understands child/family specific IFSP content and is clear on his/her role for facilitating and supporting the family in specific outcome goals for the child/family on caseload.
• Collaborate with staff, family and other team members to link ongoing evaluation and assessment with all intervention planning utilizing the child and family’s everyday routines, relationships, places and partnerships.
• Substitute for ECS during their absences, following their guidelines for each child as applicable.
• Support ECS with appropriate referrals to community resources aimed at enhancing child and family outcomes and deepening social connectedness. Seek continued understanding in the individual nature of child/family learning styles and adapt developmentally appropriate intervention strategies to better meet child/family individual needs, priorities and context.
• Observe and document children’s development and progress in the physical, cognitive, language, social, emotional and adaptive domains in collaboration with the ECS and the family.
• Seek guidance, coaching, supervision from the assigned Early Childhood Specialist/Lead Early Childhood Specialist, schedule joint home visits and incorporate guidance and feedback to continuously learn, improve and grow in the work with infants, toddlers with disabilities and their families.
• Plan for and facilitate regular community outings, transitional play-groups to children and their families and offer enriching experiences to promote each child’s growth and healthy development.
• Meet weekly, monthly and then annual productivity standards of care expectations.
• Support family’s ability to access services and community supports by identifying, linking and joining them when needed and appropriate (e.g., child care facility, community-based play group, etc.).
• Facilitate a smooth transition for child and family into next program placement.
• Maintain, manage, and process child/family records and information in a confidential manner that meets HIPAA and other applicable confidentiality regulations.
• Complete an accurate data entry for services rendered in the Apricot 360 system on a daily basis.
• The position requires the ability to assist with various clerical duties including but not limited to answer phones, data entry, filing etc.
• Adhere to EPU's policies and procedures and will maintain proper confidentiality.
• Collaborate with community agencies who may also be serving the family assigned.
• EPU facility hours are Monday – Friday; 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM; the EIA ensures non-traditional work hours are made available to serve and support families when warranted based on family needs. Therefore, position hours may vary, which may include evening or weekends, depending upon the needs of the program and families we serve.
• The position requires the ability to meet with children/families outside of the EPU Center. In order to meet this expectation staff are required to have reliable transportation for local travel.
• Must hold valid California Driver's license and good driving record with no serious violations for the previous two-year period and be able to provide proof of current automobile liability insurance.
• Must perform other duties as they are assigned by the Early Childhood Specialist, Lead Early Childhood Specialist, program Manager, Director or Chief Executive Officer.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skill and Experience:

Education: High School diploma or equivalent. Some college education in child development, infant development, family studies or related field required. A degree in any of the above mentioned studies or related field would be preferred.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of current federal and state laws, regulations and timelines for early intervention services.
• Knowledge and understanding of the importance of play as context, method and outcome of learning.
• Experienced with early intervention strategies to support all areas of development.
• Knowledge of how coaching promotes parent confidence and competence in meeting the child’s needs.
• Understands the need for developmentally appropriate strategies and adaptations that support parents to maximize the natural environment learning opportunities to meet infant/toddler developmental needs.

Skills:

• Must have strong communication skills written and verbal, planning/organizing, listening comprehension, multi-tasking, teamwork, and collaboration, initiative and able to make independent decisions within guidelines, code of ethics.
• Able to assist with observations and data collections of infants and toddlers in multiple settings, reflecting the family’s typical routines and activities.
• Build strong alliance with families on caseload and the intervention team.
• Has basic knowledge of intervention strategies used in everyday routines, relationships, activities, places and partnerships.
• Contribute knowledge of community resources to the IFSP team such as early care, health, infant/family mental health, social services, basic supports and other services that are important to families on caseload.
• Be creative, team-oriented, reflective, and open to continuous learning through formal trainings, group discussions, and supervision.
• Promote each child’s right to thrive in safe, stable, caring and nurturing environments.
• Continuously seek to improve one’s own professional skills and performance through self-reflection with supervisor and colleagues and through continuing education.

Experience:

• Have some experience working with children with disabilities; experience in early childhood, early intervention and/or special education field.
• Must be computer literate working with Microsoft Office Products. Experience working with Apricot 360 a plus but not required.
• Must have a warmth and sensitivity for working with children and their families.
• Must be able to work with a diverse population and be a team player.
• Must hold valid California Driver's license and good driving record with no serious violations for the previous two-year period and be able to provide proof of current automobile liability insurance.
• Bi-lingual skills are a plus but not required.

Physical Demands:

Typical Working Condition: Position works majority of the time at a Neighborhood Resource Center facility. EPU does not have control over the location and condition of all the environments staff may be exposed.

Equipment Used: Personal vehicle for local travel to attend meetings in the local area, computers, printers, telephones, and fax machines.

Essential Physical Tasks: The position requires the ability to move around into various positions. The position is to sit on floors, stand, crawl, push, pull, carry, and twist and turn torso, reach and various other activities in order to interact with children. Position requires some fingering (fine dexterity), repetitive hand and wrist motions.

This position description may not be an exhaustive list of all duties, knowledge, or abilities associated with this classification, however it is intended to accurately reflect the principal job elements. Related duties, knowledge, or abilities to those expressly stated may also be required for successful performance of the position.