Disabilities and Wellness Promotion Coordinator

Casa Central’s Early Learning Academy (ELA) provides high quality, comprehensive early childhood education services for young children, ages birth to five, and their families. A key member of the program’s leadership team, the Disabilities & Wellness Promotion Coordinator supports the Early Learning Academy in providing services, advocacy, and meaningful inclusion for children with diagnosed disabilities, suspected disabilities, challenging behaviors, and other needs, and their families.

The Disabilities & Wellness Promotion Coordinator provides coaching and training for teaching teams and families, supporting staff as they serve children and families with diverse learning needs. This person also holds shared responsibility for developing and implementing recruitment plans specific to children with diverse learning needs, and building community partnerships with agencies who support children with diverse learning needs as well as enhancing overall child and family wellness;

attending meetings and compiling reports related to Disabilities and Wellness Promotion activities and outcomes; and supporting families and staff through the processes of screening children, participating in evaluations, and securing needed services. Further, this person supports the coordination of the ELA’s Mental Health Consultants and all Wellness Promotion activities in collaboration with the Mental Health coordinator.

Convene internal referral staffings at all program sites when determining enrollment for new children with diagnosed or suspected disabilities, or when new concerns emerge during the course of service provision. In conjunction with the Education Managers and Family Development Specialists, ensure that the IEP/IFSP goals are incorporated into lesson plans and observations, Transition Plan, and the Family/Child Goal Plan. Review developmental screenings completed by the teaching staff and Education Managers;

provide direct support with conducting screenings when needed. Review referrals from teaching teams and Education Managers for further assessment. Coordinate the child studies for the wellness promotion (mental health) consultants: arrange observation and assessment dates, notify teachers and parents, and ensure that all release forms are on file. Organize the information for referrals for individual educational plans (IEPs) and IEP staffings with the Chicago Public Schools, as well as IFSPs (Individualized Family Service Plans) and IFSP Child & Family Team Meetings with the Child and Family Connections (CFC) offices.

Assist Education Managers in developing interim plans (while IEP/IFSP is pending) and implementation plans (after students have received IEP/IFSP), and assist in the implementation of plans in the program. Refer children to local public school or CFCs for services, and advocate as cases need assistance in negotiating the services at the public school or with the CFC. Attend staffing meetings with families;

advocate for children and families across settings. Support families with accessing community resources and supports for children with disabilities and diverse learning needs.

Approve time sheet and ensure compliance with agency and funder guidelines, ensuring that daily activities are within the allowable activities approved by the agency. Implement the agency mission, philosophy, and core values to direct daily work and decision-making. Adhere to agency policy. Cultivate a professional and respectful work environment. Be actively involved with, and knowledgeable about, the agency’s Performance Quality Improvement (PQI) structure and process.

Nurture positive and collaborative working relationships with other agency staff and outside stakeholders and partners. Build partnerships with agencies and service providers in the community who offer services relevant to Disabilities/Wellness Promotion (Mental Health).

Actively and enthusiastically support recruitment efforts to ensure that the program is fully enrolled year-round.…