Disabilities Coordinator

Disabilities Coordinator

The Disabilities Coordinator ensures that children with disabilities and their families receive all applicable program services delivered in the least restrictive possible environment to fully participate in program services. This position also provides individualized educational and family resources for parents and staff.

This position ensures the confidentiality, security, and accuracy of records, and promotes positive employee, customer, and community relations. Strong written and verbal communication skills are required and outstanding customer service to fellow employees, customers, vendors, etc. is expected. Regular attendance is required, and on occasion, later hours or weekend time may be required with project deadlines and a neat well-groomed professional appearance is essential at all times.

Primary responsibilities include ensuring the Disabilities Service Plan and Program Policies & Procedures are implemented accordingly, administering, monitoring, and revising the service plans and policies as necessary; training all staff annually to ensure staff are familiar with the current disabilities service plans, and policies and procedures; ensuring Birth-to-Five Head Start services to children with disabilities follow federal regulations and laws governing disabilities efforts as defined in IDEA and ADA;

providing outreach and enrollment for families and children with disabilities; working with teachers to monitor and support development screening and assessment of children, ensuring required deadlines are being met; collaborating with teachers, Health Services Program, Mental Health & Special Education program; obtaining parent consent for referrals of eligible children to the Local Education Agency (LEA) or other community agencies for additional screening and assessments;

establishing and maintaining relationships with the LEA's, community agencies and other professional agencies to ensure delivery of special educational services; ensuring teachers are working with families to inform parents of the results of completed assessments; ensuring referrals are completed in a timely manner, and continually tracking, monitoring, and following up on all referrals using the Child Plus database; collaborating with Education Supervisor and teachers regarding any issues with the referral process for special education;

developing and implementing strategies to support parents as the primary educators of their child(ren); facilitating parent involvement in the referral process; actively participating in the transitions of children entering and exiting the program; participating in home visits, parent/teacher conferences, and child staffing, as needed; overseeing and coordinating all equestrian therapy services to eligible children, including maintaining a close, respectful, professional, and trusting relationship with staff at the Nisqually Tribe Ranch;

and performing other duties as assigned.

Minimum qualifications include a Bachelor's Degree in relevant discipline with two years of advanced professional level experience in an early childhood education/social service environment or an Associates Degree in early childhood education with 5 years of advanced professional level experience in an early childhood environment, and willing to work towards Bachelors Degree in relevant discipline within 12 months of hire; experience advocating for children and families during the Individual Family Services Plan and Individual Education Planning process;

a valid Washington State Driver's license and maintaining a driving record that meets the minimum requirements established by Nisqually Indian Tribes vehicle insurance provider; successfully passing a pre-employment drug screen and criminal background check; the ability to work with vulnerable populations including adults and children; and passing a State and National (FBI) criminal history background check prior to employment.

Preferred qualifications include a Master's Degree in relevant discipline; conducted early childhood assessments using specialized screening tools, i.e. ASQ's; knowledge of the Nisqually Indian Tribe's history,…