Early Childhood Services Coordinator
Listed on 2026-07-16
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Education / Teaching
Special Needs / Learning Disabilities, Education Administration, Child Development/Support
Early Childhood Services Coordinator Position Overview
Under the supervision and guidance of the Director of Early Childhood Special Education, the Early Childhood Services Coordinator serves as the primary point person for coaching, problem‑solving, and day‑to‑day support within Early Childhood Special Education classrooms for children ages 3-5 across Portland Public Schools (PPS) and community‑based partner programs participating in the district’s mixed delivery early childhood system. The Coordinator is the first line of support for educators and building leaders, providing timely, responsive guidance when students or staff experience challenges, and ensuring that concerns are addressed proactively, consistently, and in alignment with best practice.
As Portland Public Schools transitions responsibility for providing Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for children ages 3-5 from Child Development Services (CDS), the Early Childhood Services Coordinator plays a critical role in ensuring consistent, compliant, and developmentally appropriate special education practices across settings. The Coordinator leads the implementation and ongoing support of Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Classrooms across the district, serves as an assigned Local Education Agency (LEA) representative, and works closely with educators, related service providers, administrators, and families to deliver high‑quality, inclusive services for young children with disabilities.
EssentialResponsibilities
+ IEP Management and Compliance
- Serve as the LEA representative for Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings, ensuring procedural compliance and meaningful family participation.
- Monitor IEP processes and documentation to ensure compliance with IDEA Part B (619), Maine Unified Special Education Regulations (MUSER), district policies, and legal timelines.
- Review IEPs and related special education documents prior to finalization, including initial referrals, evaluations, and reevaluations.
+ Student Case Management and Support
- Support transition processes for children with IEPs, including transitions from Part C to Part B, entry into preschool, movement within preschool settings, and transition to kindergarten.
- Submit requests for district‑level resources (e.g., specialized transportation, 1:1 adult support, related services, specialized programming) to the Director of Early Childhood Special Education for review and approval.
- Collaborate with ECSE case manager(s) and related service providers to ensure evaluations, observations, and progress monitoring are completed in accordance with referral and reevaluation requirements.
- Support the implementation of accommodations, modifications, and alternate assessments appropriate for preschool‑aged children.
- Consult with Specialized Program educators and support staff to ensure consistent understanding and implementation of each child’s disability‑related needs and IEP services across daily routines and learning environments.
+ Program Implementation and Oversight
- Lead case review meetings to consider student referrals to ECSE Classrooms and to support student transitions out of ECSE settings.
- Establish and maintain strong communication practices that promote transparency and provide ongoing support to program staff and families.
- Align ECSE classroom practices with the district’s approach to developing and implementing high‑quality IEPs and related plans (e.g., Behavior Intervention Plans).
- Monitor ECSE program compliance with all applicable special education laws and regulations, including IEP documentation and timelines.
- Serve as a liaison between school staff, families, and external community partners to ensure coordinated, wraparound support for students.
- Supports a consistent Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Classroom model across schools, ensuring students receive appropriate services while maximizing access to general education and participation in the school community.
- Manage collaborative partnerships among ECSE classroom teams, school leadership, and district program staff to support high‑quality implementation.
- Conduct regular school and program visits, classroom…
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