Inclusion Specialist

Overview of Easterseals Serving DC | MD | VA

Who We Are

Including Individuals. Empowering Families. Strengthening Communities.℠

Easterseals DC MD VA (www.eseal.org) is leading the way to full equity, inclusion, and access through direct and life-changing disability and community services. 

Since 1945, Easterseals DC MD VA has worked tirelessly to enhance quality of life and expand access to healthcare, education, and employment. And we won’t rest until each one of us is valued, respected, and accepted.

We take a holistic approach, providing comprehensive services to thousands of children and adults in our neighborhoods, no matter their disability, military status, income, race, or age: To help each child reach their full potential, we provide personalized child development and early intervention services. To improve health and reduce isolation in adults with disabilities, we offer engaging activities and expansive resources. To enable military families to integrate into the community, we provide a suite of services, including employment support and mental healthcare. And to sustain families and caregivers, we provide comprehensive services and support.

Together with our partners, we’re reducing poverty and homelessness and improving healthcare and employment by empowering people of all ages and abilities to be full and equal participants in their communities. Join us.

 As the Easterseals affiliate serving Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia, (www.eseal.org) Easterseals DC MD VA works through public-private partnerships to provide community-based services in the most efficient manner possible. These traits were demonstrated in the opening our Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Inter-Generational Center, which has quickly become an international model of excellence for delivering superior outcomes, including creating meaningful connections between generations. It was opened through visionary partnership among local, state, and national governments, as well as private individual, corporate, and foundation investment. The shared resources created a maximum return on investment for the community. Through a variety of resources, Easterseals provides information and guidance about how to navigate changing needs within our communities.

Easterseals DC MD VA, we know that creating a hopeful, inclusive community where all people realize their potential and live meaningful lives can be done only when we value our greatest asset – our staff. More than 200 employees across the greater Washington, DC area, from Hagerstown, Maryland, to Falls Church, Virginia, value the rewarding work that enables Easterseals to lead the way to 100% equity, inclusion, and access for people with disabilities, families, and communities.

If you want to do well while doing good, Easterseals DC MD VA may be the place for you.

Core Values

Our entire staff shares our Core Values which are an integral component of the success of ESDCMDVA:

• Respect: We respect each other. We value the uniqueness and dignity of each individual and appreciate the strength of diversity and inclusion. 
• Responsibility: We share a sense of responsibility for doing things right, being good stewards and being accountable for our actions. 
• Integrity: We conduct business ethically with a commitment to moral integrity and we expect people to hold a high moral standard. We communicate openly, honestly and directly. 
• Innovation: We embrace new ideas, take measured risks and find better ways to help more people. 
• Care: We show compassion for others and continue to live our mission each day. 

Easterseals Job Description

Job Title: Inclusion Specialist 

Department: Head Start

Location: NOVA

Reports to: Senior Director, Head Start 

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Job Summary:

General Description:

Under the supervision of the Center Director, the Inclusion Specialist supports the delivery of inclusive high-quality early childhood education for children ages six weeks through five years. This position provides leadership in curriculum implementation and individualization, staff development, program compliance, and inclusive practices while fostering positive partnerships with families, staff, and community service providers. The Inclusion Specialist may serve as the person in charge in the absence of the Center Director.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Inclusion and Child Development Services

· Lead inclusion efforts to ensure all children, including those with disabilities, developmental delays, behavioral challenges, and diverse learning needs, can fully participate in program activities.

· Provide consultation, coaching, and technical assistance to teaching staff on inclusive practices, accommodations, positive behavior supports, and individualized strategies.

· Review screening and assessment data to identify developmental concerns and support early intervention efforts.

· Collaborate with families, therapists, early intervention programs, school systems, and community partners to coordinate services and supports.

· Participate in the development and implementation of IEPs, IFSPs, behavior support plans, and other individualized supports.

· Assist teachers in adapting classroom environments, materials, and instructional practices to support children's successful participation and learning.

· Support developmental, behavioral, vision, hearing, and social-emotional screening processes, including referrals and follow-up activities.

· Provide families with resources, referrals, advocacy, and service coordination related to developmental and behavioral concerns.

· Deliver training and professional development on inclusion, child development, behavior guidance, and family-centered practices.

· Monitor inclusion practices and child outcomes to support continuous program improvement and equitable access to services.

Program Coordination and Educational Leadership

· Ensure compliance with licensing regulations, QRIS requirements, NAEYC standards, and Easterseals policies.

· Monitor implementation of curriculum, assessments, and developmentally appropriate practices, including Creative Curriculum, Teaching Strategies GOLD, and ASQ.

· Supervise classroom quality, including lesson plans, learning environments, daily schedules, routines, transitions, and active supervision practices.

· Conduct CLASS classroom observations and provide coaching, feedback, and follow-up to support continuous quality improvement.

· Support staff onboarding, orientation, professional development, and performance improvement.

· Monitor child portfolios, assessment records, and classroom documentation for accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance.

· Coordinate educational activities, classroom materials, equipment, and special events.

Family and Community Partnerships

· Build positive relationships with families to support young children's development and school readiness and support teachers in doing the same.

· Provide coordination and communication with parents, program, and others as needed specific to children’s engagement with early intervention, medical and disability, and behavioral health services.

· Connect families with community resources and support services as needed.

· Promote family engagement and participation in program activities and events.

· Foster collaborative partnerships with community agencies and service providers to enhance services for infants, toddlers, and families.

Qualifications

· Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education, Special Education, Child Development, or a related field.

· Experience in early childhood education, inclusion, special education, behavioral health, or related child development programs.

· Knowledge of child development, developmentally appropriate practices, inclusion strategies, IDEA, ADA, and behavior support techniques.

· Experience working collaboratively with families and multidisciplinary teams.

· Experience coaching and supporting early childhood professionals preferred.

· Experience implementing the Creative Curriculum, Teaching Strategies GOLD, the Ages & Stages Questionnaire, and CLASS preferred.