Child Find Strategist

Job Title:  Child Find Strategist                                              Wage/Hour Status:  Exempt-Professional                      

Reports to:  Special Education Director                                Pay Grade:  Teacher Salary 

Dept./School:  Special Education Department                      Initiated Date:  April 3, 2007                        

Funding Source:  224 IDEA Part B Formula                         Revised Date:  July 31, 2023

District Primary Purpose:To assist and promote La Joya ISD in implementing a rigorous curriculum/instructional program that supports student success and achievement.

Department Primary Purpose: All children with disabilities residing in the jurisdiction of the district, including children with disabilities who are homeless children or are wards of the State and children with disabilities attending private schools, regardless of the severity of their disabilities, and who are in need of special education and related services, are identified, located, and evaluated through a practical method, is developed and implemented to determine which children with disabilities are currently receiving needed special education and related services.          

Qualifications:                                              

Education/Certification: Bachelor’s Degree Special Education Certificate or related licensure. 

Experience: Two years successful professional experience in Special Education field or related outreach service as a case manager (e.g. Sp. Ed. Teacher, Speech, Diagnostician, Sp. Ed. Counselor, School Psychologist and/or Social Worker)                 Experience in elementary or early childhood setting, preferred

Knowledge/Skills:  Experience as a professional within the special education department in a public school setting; or any combination of experience and training which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the required work. Must be bilingual.

Major Responsibilities and Duties: 

1. Conduct and manage special education referrals as part of Child Find requirement. 

1. Contribute to the effectiveness of meeting timelines for State Performance Plan Indicator 12. 

1. Provide general consultation on special education and related service to school administrators, educators, parents and community stakeholders. 

1. Communicate with schools, the Texas Education Agency, other agencies, and parents concerning referrals, services and processing of referrals made on infants of school age children. 

1. Maintain and organize case management folders on assigned students. 

1. Develop, maintain and utilize a computer database on infants and school-age children referred or served. 

1. Collect and dispense information concerning available services and resources. 

1. Conduct screening of infants/children referred to the district. 

1. Contact agencies, clinics and doctors for coordination and dissemination of information/materials. 

1. Conduct training and technical assistance activities for parents of infants and school-age children regarding special needs and appropriate services. 

1. Conduct parent meetings at various campuses in collaboration with the District’s Parental Involvement Department. 

1. Create and disseminate Child Find information to the community and district schools. 

1. Follow documentation guidelines for student attendance and intervention notes. 

1. Frequent visits to student homes, hospitals and pre-school programs. 

1. Complete Child Find/Web SAS/PEIMS submission reports in coordination with state and federal regulations. 

1. Adhere to established federal, state, and local laws and regulations. 

1. Maintain confidentiality of all student information and all aspects of the special education department. 

1. Work with evaluation staff and teachers across the district in planning for student assessment and services. 

1. Assist in the collection and review of COSF submissions.
2. Perform other duties pertaining to special education as assigned by immediate supervisor.

WORKING CONDITIONS:  

Mental Demands:    

Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written); interpret policy, procedures, and data; maintain emotional control under stress.

Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

Lifting materials, supplies and frequent travel in and out of the district. Moderate amount of time on computer, occasional prolonged and irregular hours. Works with frequent interruptions and change in work environment.

POSITION WORKING DAYS:          187 Days