Education and Inclusion Coach - English and Bilingual

Assist in the implementation of both the education and disabilities components of the Head Start/Early Head Standards at assigned sites for the Easterseals Head Start Early Head Start Program.  Primary responsibilities include regularly scheduled site visits, classroom observations, community collaborations and HS/EHS trainings within assigned sites.

Basic Responsibilities:

• Assist EHS/Head Start program sites and teaching staff with ensuring child assessments, home visits and parent/teacher conferences and other EHS/Head Start requirements are completed within designated time frames.
• Work with EHS/Head Start program sites and teaching staff to assure that all enrolled children receive developmental screening within 45 days of enrollment.  Work with all content areas to ensure that results are shared with parents and re-screening, referrals, and follow-ups conducted as needed.
• Work with EHS/Head Start program sites and teaching staff to assure all education and disabilities information data is complete in the COPA system and in Teaching Strategies Gold.
• Work with EHS/Head Start program sites and teaching staff on creating and maintaining up-to-date child portfolios, anecdotal child observations and education folders.
• Assist Education Coordinator with monitoring EHS/HS classrooms to assure that classrooms are safe, nurturing and engaging learning environments for children.
• Participate in regular meetings to assess progress and planning for education and disabilities content areas.
• Work with coordinators and EHS/Head Start program sites to create partnerships with local education organizations and set up Community Partnership Agreements and Linkage Agreements with community schools, education services, and disabilities services.
• Assist directors and teaching staff with compliance to and implementation of performance standards.  Assist teachers in modifying curriculum and individualizing lesson plans for children with disabilities based on IEP and IFSP goals. 
• Attend IFSP conferences, IEP conferences, and Chicago Public School meetings with parents of children with disabilities to support the families and to advocate for the children.  Assist parents in understanding their rights and special education law.
• Work with EHS/Head Start staff and sites to implement an annual and ongoing outreach and recruitment plan for identifying and enrolling children with disabilities.  Attend play dates for children with special needs at sites and collaboratively work with parents and staff to plan transitions into and out of the Head Start program.
• Attend workshops and trainings related to Education and Disabilities.  Share information from workshops and trainings with parents, teaching staff, and other team members.
• Assist Education and Inclusion Coordinators to provide ongoing training related to Education and Disabilities for all EHS/Head Start programs and sites’ teaching staff as needed.
• Participate and contribute to service planning meetings.
• Submit weekly itineraries signed, per site visit, by center Directors or Head Start representatives.
• Submit weekly reports on Education and Disabilities to coordinators
• Attend and participate in regular team meetings
• Participate in Enrollment/Recruitment Campaign, and annual self-assessment and PIR.
• Assist with inputting additional data into COPA system as needed and perform all other duties as assigned.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Early Childhood Education.

 Experience Required:

• 3 years teaching in an early childhood classroom.
• 3 years working with children with disabilities.
• Working in a Head Start program.
• Bilingual language skills (English & Spanish) a plus.
• Working with Teaching Strategies Gold and COPA online systems a plus.
• Infant/Toddler programs a plus.

 Vehicle/Transportation Requirements:

• Valid driver’s license.
•  Auto insurance, safe vehicle.
•  Reliable vehicle.

 Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to multi-task in a high stress environment.
• Ability to interact with diverse personalities.
• Ability to problem solve.
• Basic computer knowledge including Microsoft Office programs.
• Completion of a minimum of 15 hours of continuing education per year.
• Willing to work flexible hours to accommodate the needs of the families.

  ADA: Easterseals will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disability Act of 1990. Unless exempted by the Americans with Disabilities Act, all persons hired for this position are required to possess the ability to perform the physical tasks necessary to treat clients, i.e., bending, floor-sitting, etc., as well as to have the ability to lift up to 50 pounds frequently.