Service Coordinator (First Steps) (FT H)

PRIMARY PURPOSE OF JOB

The Service Coordinator for the First Steps Early Intervention Program works closely with children ages birth to 3 with developmental disabilities, their families, and service providers. The Service Coordinator is responsible for developing and maintaining service plans and working within the Missouri First Steps WebSPOE website.

This description may not include all the duties, knowledge, skills, or abilities associated with this position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND PERFORMANCE AREAS

General Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinate/Maintain a First Steps caseload of children/families as assigned.
• Coordinate and document in case-notes the entire Intake process: intake visit, eligibility determination, evaluations/assessments, Family Assessment (if applicable), and Initial IFSP are all completed within the 45-day timeline.
• Coordinate ongoing services ensuring new First Steps services begin within 30 days from date parent signed consent, and ongoing services are delivered as written in the IFSP, to children/families in a timely manner (as defined by DESE Compliance)
• Maintain and ensure each child’s electronic WebSPOE record assigned is complete with required referral, intake, health/medical records, evaluation/assessments, family assessments, child/family information, family cost participation documentation, insurance information, meeting notifications, letters, NOA/C’s, NOA’s, Releases, required case notes, and all other information as required by DESE compliance.
• Review required forms and documentation for completion and accuracy prior to uploading to child’s library, according to standards set by DESE, DESE Compliance, and SPOE Administration standards.
• Review to ensure that all Family Assessment (FA) Interviews and IFSP meetings are completed according to DESE Standards, meeting DESE Compliance Requirements, FA/IFSP Meeting Observation Tool guidance, and SPOE Administration standards.
• Uphold strict confidentiality standards for secure handling of sensitive information.
• Adhere to the highest ethical standards, fostering a culture of integrity and responsible conduct in all professional interactions and decisions.
• Utilization of the primary provider model and the multi-disciplinary model of service delivery vs. medical model of service delivery is reflected in each IFSP.
• Write Functional Outcomes based on family priorities.
• Early Intervention Services are determined using incremental decision-making guidance.
• Maintain contact with families assigned and document contacts in the child’s electronic record.
• Hold and finalize required IFSP meetings within timelines as established by DESE.
• Complete needed authorizations for evaluations, assessments, meetings, and services in a timely manner.
• Submit all requests for Assistive Technology devices to the SPOE Director within 30 days following parental consent, document information regarding requested submission and delivery of items to the child/family in case-notes.
• Complete required Family Assessment forms/documentation as directed by DESE and SPOE Director utilizing required follow up questions for at least 3 routines.
• Complete Early Childhood Outcomes discussion using the 3 required sources of information for documentation as per DESE guidance and frequency.
• Complete all required EXIT activities as per DESE guidance and enter an exit summary note per CARF requirements for assigned case load.
• Serve as a Mentor for new First Steps Service Coordinators
• Participate in at least 3 Child Find Events per year in addition to community outreach within geographic areas assigned.
• Attend additional First Steps trainings as determined by the SPOE Director and/or Lead Service Coordinator.
• Mandatory attendance expected for Abilities First All Staff Meetings, First Steps SPOE Meetings, First Steps SPOE Trainings, and any other First Steps or AF meetings, activities, events, as requested.
• Prepare and send agendas Early Intervention Team (EIT) members and Team Coordinator one week prior to EIT meetings. Attend and facilitate Early Intervention Team meetings as per guidance in DESE SC Practice Manual and per direction of SPOE Director/Team Coordinator. Additionally, ensure meeting documentation and attendance are entered timely within one week following the meeting. (Team Coordinator may assist, as needed.)
• Establish clear, courteous, professional lines of communication with families, service providers, and outside agencies.
• Implement new or revised policies and procedures as provided by DESE.
• Complete other duties as assigned by the SPOE Director or Lead Service Coordinator
• Review and follow all Abilities First personnel policies and First Steps Guidelines
• Must be able to pass a background screening.  
• Must have a valid Missouri driver’s license, reliable transportation, an acceptable driving record, and auto liability insurance that meet the requirements set by Abilities First.
• Must be able to drive within the region for work-related assignments.
• Must have a reliable High-Speed Internet to work remotely from home with provided laptop and/tablet and office equipment.
• Perform other related work as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES 

• General knowledge of a specific discipline such as social work, psychology, special education, counseling, or early childhood development
• Introductory knowledge of case management methods, principles, and techniques
• Introductory knowledge of various developmental disabilities or early childhood development concerns and services available for children
• Introductory knowledge of interviewing methods, principals, and techniques
• Ability to manage a caseload of children with developmental delays, to keep IFSP plans current, and to maintain accurate records.
• Must be able to develop an Individual Family Service Plan that meets DESE standards.
• Ability to work as part of a team to make decisions concerning a child’s IFSP (Individual Family Service Plan)
• Must be able to enter information into and upload documents into the WebSPOE data system within required timelines and in an accurate manner.
• Ability to quickly assess and evaluate crisis situations and problem solve with other parties involved to resolve conflict in a healthy positive manner.
• Present a positive image of Abilities First to the public.
• Be punctual.
• Ability to identify potential abuse and neglect situation and follow protocol according to all applicable regulatory requirements.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with co-workers and the public.
• Maintain an ethical approach to all circumstances.
• Must be able to work independently but communicate with the SPOE Director as needed to keep them apprised of concerns or developments that may affect the implementation of services to a child.
• Return calls and e-mails within 24 hours.
• Dress appropriately for the situation. Professional dress or business casual is required in the office.
• Light lifting- up to 35 pounds required; ability to sit for a 2-hour period; extensive sitting required. 

ABILITIES FIRST VALUE BASED CORE COMPETENCIES 

1. One Team One Mission

• • Contributing to Team Success: Actively participating as a team member to move the team toward completing goals.
  • Engagement Readiness – Demonstrating a willingness to commit to one’s work and to invest one’s time, talent and best efforts in accomplishing organizational goals.

1. Accountable, respectful service

• • Continuous Improvement – Originating action to improve existing conditions and processes, identifying improvements opportunities, generating ideas, and implementing solutions.
  • Quality Orientation – Accomplishing tasks by considering all areas involved, no matter how small; showing concern for all aspects of the job; accurately checking processes and tasks; being watchful over a period of time. 
  • Technical/Professional Knowledge and Skills – Having achieved a satisfactory level of technical and professional skill or knowledge in position-related area, keeping up with current developments and trends in area of expertise.

1. Transparent stewardship

• • Decision Making – Identifying and understanding issues, problems, and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences.
  • Planning and Organizing – Establishing courses of action for self and others to ensure that work is completed effectively.

1. Hold the rope

• • Adaptability – Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work responsibilities or environment; adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.  
  • Leadership Disposition – Demonstrating the traits, inclinations, and dispositions that characterize successful leaders; exhibiting behavior styles that meet the demands of the leader role. 

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS 

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in a DESE approved degree and 1 year documented experience working with families:
  • Early Childhood Special Education 
  • Early Childhood 
  • Elementary Education 
  • Special Education 
  • Child /Human Development 
  • Social Work
  • Nursing 
  • Psychology 
  • Education Administration
  • Sociology 
  • Family Science/Studies
  • Counseling
  • or bachelor’s degree or higher with three years of documented experience working with families and young children.
• One year of experience working with early intervention programs preferred.
• Must have a valid Missouri driver’s license, reliable transportation, an acceptable driving record, and auto liability insurance that meet the requirements set by Abilities First.
• Must have secure and reliable high-speed internet to work remotely.
• Must be able to drive for work-related assignments. 
• Must be able to pass a background screening.

PHYSICAL CONTEXT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job duties.

• The work environment is usually a well-lighted, environmentally controlled indoor environment with moderate level of noise.

• Works in an office environment with the option for some remote work

• Abilities First offers a flexible schedule and relaxed environment

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed but are not to be seen as a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.  Also, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.

Revised 7-1-14; updated 2-1-2016; 4-15-16; 3-28-17; 3-28-18; updated 5-3-19, updated 12-03-19; 10-05-20; 12-08-20; 07-25-2021; 07-14-2022; 11-9-22; Revised 11-28-2022; Revised 12-14-23; Updated 7.16.24