Developmental Therapist - Early Learning Partnerships

Developmental Therapist Position

The Developmental Therapist with Early Learning programs (serving children birth- age
5) in St. Joseph County will integrate therapeutic support strategies into classrooms, document support strategies modeled for teachers, provide training and education on delays, disabilities and challenging behaviors to teachers and families. The Developmental Therapist for Early Learning Partnerships will administer developmental screenings as needed. In addition to serving Early Learning Partnerships, this role will also provide Early Intervention Therapies as a First Steps Developmental Therapist (birth – age
3). A First Steps Developmental Therapist is responsible for implementing therapeutic support in the home or the child's natural environment. The therapist will plan, implement, evaluate, and document each child's therapeutic plan to ensure proper programming; this will be done in conjunction with the child's parent/guardian who will attend during home visits.

Essential Functions

• To devise and implement teaching styles and strategies compatible with the Early Learning Programs and child/family's individual needs based on Early Learning Program's needs and individual children's current developmental status.
• To facilitate the growth of the child's caregivers as teachers by providing the resources and support necessary for them to adequately meet each goal.
• To facilitate and support the needs of teachers and children in Early Learning Program's classrooms.
• To provide all caregivers of children (teachers/parents/guardians) with a developmental model of learning which will help them to clarify and realize a child's needs, thus enabling them to make good program choices.
• To visit and consult with other community service providers who also provide services to children whom LOGAN serves.
• To consult with children/families in small groups who may have like needs served by other instructors.
• To prepare, in conjunction with parents and other agencies, and ancillary staff, an Individualized Family Service Plan that encompasses the needs of the family and developmental needs of the child. This should be stated in words that are functional for both the child, family, and caregivers.
• To evaluate and record, in consultation with the parents and appropriate agencies and ancillary staff, each child's overall programming and recommend, where indicated, curriculum enhancement or alternative placement. Methods of evaluation will be up to date with agency standards. This is to be reported on selected developmental checklists, quarterly reviews, evaluation reports, and selected family assessment checklists. Evaluation tools used will be determined by agency standards.
• To bring to the attention of appropriate staff or other concerned professionals, any special needs of the child or family.
• To suggest to the Director and other Infant/Toddler staff, the implementation of expanded services or innovative programs where client needs are not yet met.

General Responsibilities

• Responsible for the health and safety of children served at all times.
• Expected to serve as role model for persons served.
• Expected to serve as an advocate and to protect the rights of children served.
• Expected to participate in training as required by their supervisor or for all LOGAN staff.
• Other duties as assigned as deemed necessary for the betterment of the program.
• Plan trainings, instructional activities, as well as activities in the community.
• Furnish all required documentation on a timely basis.
• The Developmental Therapist should always respect the confidentiality and cultural diversity of the child and their family, in accordance with LOGAN policies.
• The Developmental Therapist should respect the confidentiality and cultural diversity of the Early Learning Programs (teachers, classrooms, children and their families) at all times, in accordance with each individual Early Learning Program's policies and LOGAN policies.
• May be asked to serve on a LOGAN committee that addresses the internal operations of the agency.
• Provide evaluations in a variety of settings to determine the needs of programs and infants and toddlers.
• Participate with all First Steps staff and other community agency personnel in developing appropriate outcomes for Individual Family Service Plans.
• Provide reports and written programs to families and other professionals following First Steps guidelines.
• Provide reports and written programs to teachers, families and other professionals in Early Learning Programs as well as community partners.

Qualifications

• Education:
  
  Bachelor's degree, or above, in the area of child development, special education, early childhood education, or nursing; according to the requirements of the Indiana First Steps Program.
• Experience:
  
  One year of experience serving children 0-3 is preferred. One year of experience working in infant and/or toddler classrooms in an Early Learning Program is preferred but not required.
• Job knowledge,
  
  Skills and Abilities:
  
  The ability to…