Child Development Lead - North

SUMMARY OF PRIMARY FUNCTION The Child Development Lead is responsible for assisting, supporting and monitoring effective education, disability, and mental health services at Head Start service locations. The Child Development Lead assists the Education & Disability Services Manager in planning and implementing services and systems, and providing resources, training, technical assistance and support to Curriculum Coordinators, Center Managers, and classroom staff as needed, leads classroom staffing and supports CDA professional development efforts, and assists service locations in complying with federal, state, and program standards for early childhood education services.

This position ensures all education, disability, and mental health services in center-based and home-based services take place across designated regional service areas. Helps recruit potential parents by providing information to them about the various program services and benefits offered to enrolled children and families.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

AND RESPONSIBILITIES Education Services Works with center leadership, content area managers, and other specialists to ensure that children receive comprehensive and integrated education services in accordance with Head Start standards and Minnesota Rule 3 Licensing Regulations. Assists Education & Disability Services Manager in determining teacher qualification levels for applicants with related degrees and/or degrees earned in a country outside of the United States.

S upports Home-Based services as the main contact for curriculum resources, school readiness goals, socialization, and education screenings, as applicable. Supports Curriculum Coordinators and classroom staff with lesson planning and ongoing assessment, and progress towards school readiness goals to ensure the individual needs of children with disabilities are met, and developmental progress is appropriately documented.

Maintains up-to-date education services tracking system within the Child. Plus database to ensure completion and timely submission screening, conferences, home visits, and education-related events. Disability Services Works with other content area specialists and mangers to ensure that children receive comprehensive and integrated disability services, and ensure that all service locations within designated region are meeting Head Start standards with regard to the disability services component of programming and IDEA federal law.

Establishes Memorandum of Understandings (MOU) with Local Education Agencies (LEA) within the designated region of center support for disability services; Update and renew MOU’s each calendar year. Maintains up-to-date disability services tracking system within the Child. Plus database to ensure completion and timely submission of documentation for children demonstrating a need for additional educational support and/or are referred for additional support services with Local Education Agencies (LEA), and any related disability services.

Supports Curriculum Coordinators in reviewing education screenings in a timely manner, and identifying the need for further evaluation, referral, or intervention. Supports Curriculum Coordinator to effectively observe, monitor, and document children in classrooms, assisting staff in responding to individual needs and education plans.

Mental Health Services Works with other content area specialists and mangers to ensure that children receive comprehensive and integrated mental health services, and ensure that all service locations within designated region are meeting Head Start standards with regard to the mental health services component of programming.

Maintains up-to-date mental health services tracking system within the Child. Plus database to ensure completion and timely submission of documentation for children demonstrating a need for additional behavior or social emotional support and/or are referred for additional support services with local community mental health providers, and any related mental health services.

Establishes annual contracts with local mental health providers in the area of designated center support, and ensure providers are adhering to the terms of contract, process invoices to ensure contract amount is followed. Tracks mental health consultants’ activity that specifically addresses individual as well as classroom/group needs, and support classroom strategies for managing and supporting social-emotional development.

Schedules and facilitates Positive Behavior Support Team meetings for children demonstrating a need for additional behavioral or mental health support, and creates behavior plans in collaboration with Positive Behavior Support Team. Training and Professional Development Develops and implements trainings, relative materials and manuals detailing education services and systems, in collaboration with the Education & Disability Services Manager and regional Training and Technical Assistance Early Childhood Specialists.

Supports the Education & Disability Services Manager in providing training for Education staff in, pre-service, in-service, and post-service training and presentation as necessary related to the area of education. Provides information, resources and materials to staff as needed. Identifies and utilizes appropriate resources to enhance the quality of program services for families.

Safety Have or obtain within 90 days of hire a First Aid and CPR Certification as well as maintain the certification during employment. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, special education with early childhood emphasis or closely related field, such as psychology, social work, or counseling, with an early childhood focus.

Experience working in a classroom teaching capacity or leadership role in an early childhood program serving children birth to five years. Comfortable working with computers, willing and able to learn program specific systems as needed for position. Excellent communication skills, verbal and written. Proof of valid driver’s license and current vehicle insurance coverage.

Tri-Valley is a non-profit community action agency. We believe in the value of all human beings. It is that belief that drives our efforts to identify needs, seek resources and provide opportunities for people to thrive. Our work is committed to strengthening our communities so that its citizens have better places to live, work, worship and enjoy.

The mission of Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. is to provide opportunities to improve the quality of life for people and communities. If you are an applicant with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact Human Resources at 218-281-0536 or [email protected] .

Application Deadline: 11/19/2026 Employee Type: 12-Month Hours per Week: 40 Shift Schedule: M-F 8:00am-4:30pm Service Area Coverage: Ada, Breckenridge, Crookston, East Grand Forks, Grafton Benefits: 401K/Roth, PTO Accrual, Paid Holidays, ESST, and Employer Paid Life/LTD, Optional benefits such as Health, Dental, Vision, HSA, FSA, Aflac/Colonial Life and Short-Term Disability If any questions about the position, please contact: Christina Pedersen, CHRISTINA.

[email protected]