Early Intervention Specialist- Early Head Start

About the role

This position coordinates all disability services for students ages 0 to 3. Oversees the assessment and implementation of referral services and Individualized Family Services Plan (IFSP). Serves as a liaison for all internal and external stakeholders on IFSP or other developmental providers and ensures compliance with all Early Head Start requirements.

Who we are:

Clayton Early Learning is a leading nonprofit dedicated to providing children from birth to five with an exceptional start and empowering families for lifelong success. We directly serve approximately 500 children annually through our school, home-based programs, and community partnership sites. As a proud member of the Educare Learning Network and the Head Start community, we are deeply committed to providing high quality early childhood education through a whole-child, whole-family approach. Our unique location on a 20-acre historic campus in Denver is the foundation for our strategic vision to become a thriving neighborhood center to serve the community more fully, addressing needs including food security and health care access. Our team of over 125 dedicated professionals works in a supportive environment of collaboration, innovation, and personal growth

What this role involve

Support & Coordination for Students with Disabilities

Oversees and coordinates all disability screening, assessments and support services for students; ensures all services are available and meet criteria and requirements including Early Head Start requirements.

Coordinates initial and ongoing evaluations for center and home-based Early Head Start programs.

Initiates referrals for special education and/or developmental services. Supports students transitioning from EHS to HS or another school placement.

Coordinates all steps to ensure students and their families obtain necessary referral paperwork and completes the referral process in cooperation with the Child Family Educator.

Facilitates ongoing communication with external agencies (RMHS, DPS, Denver Great Kids Head Start, etc.), consultants, and management to maintain an interdisciplinary approach that support effective early intervention services and positive outcomes for students and families.

Acts as a liaison for all internal and external stakeholders around disability and referral services for Early Head Start Programs.

Responds to classrooms to support teachers and students needs .

Individual Family Services Plan (IFSP) Implementation

Interacts with referral specialists and families to obtain IFSP documentation to understand student needs within their program; reviews IFSP and collaborates with internal stakeholders to implement.

Supports internal stakeholders to implement IFSP; ensures goals are implemented and the classroom environment is setup for student success; provides ideas and strategies for internal stakeholders when they have students with IFSPs.

Educates parents and families on IFSP and provides parents and families with their rights and responsibilities and information on the plan and services; assists the family with arranging additional services if needed and informs the family of appropriate community resources.

Monitors the goals in the IFSP and meets with all stakeholders to discuss progress and recommendations, reviews goals and transition plans; ensures work plans are reviewed updated on an annual basis or as needed to effectively support the student.

Completes and maintains all required documentation and enters required information into relevant systems; documentation includes student files, IFSP forms, reports, logs, service information, etc., maintains compliance to meet all requirements and regulations.

What we are looking for:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in early childhood education, Psychology, Social Services, or related field. Masters Preferred.

Experience:

• 3 years of early childhood education with a focus on working children birth to 3 years with disabilities.

Clayton Requirements:

Must be able to pass a comprehensive background check, including CBI/FBI fingerprinting. Child abuse and neglect state registry, MVR and a national sex offender registry check every 5 years.

Must have a valid license driver's license with evidence of active vehicle insurance.

Pediatric first aid and CPR certification

Current PPD-TB testing, standard immunizations, and annual health statement, or willingness to obtain as required.

Participate in training programs, workshops, and meetings related to the role.

Maintains strong technology proficiency and quickly adapts to new systems, applications, and digital solutions.

Skills, Competencies & Behavioral Expectations:

Demonstrates integrity, professionalism, and commitment to the organization's mission and values.

Exhibits accountability and ownership by taking responsibility for commitments, actions, and results.

Creates a safe, respectful, and collaborative environment for children, families, and employees.

Communicates clearly and professionally, verbally and in writing, while building strong relationships and influencing employees at all levels.

Builds strong relationships through teamwork that prioritizes safety and well-being.

Problem-solving with resilience, emotional intelligence, and a solution-oriented mindset.

Knowledge of economic, cultural and societal challenges of ethnically and diverse communities preferred.

Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Early Head Start requirements.

Ability to manage external agency relationships with organizations serving needs of students.

Maintains comprehensive knowledge of Individualized Family Service Plan.

Ability to build relationships, influence others with strong customer service, and interpersonal skills; can relate to others from a variety of backgrounds.

Leadership skills with the ability to build effective and credible relationships.

Attention to detail with the ability to maintain and organize documents and files.

Ability to understand and perform basic mathematical computations; can apply basic analytical skills.

Ability to work independently or as part of a team; can remain calm in stressful situations.

Other duties as assigned.

Work Environment, Schedule & Physical Requirements:

Ability to work flexible hours outside of normal business hours as required.

Ability to lift to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Ability to sit, stand, walk and move throughout the workday as required to perform job duties or with reasonable accommodation.

Ability to travel to home-visits as needed.

What we offer:

16+ paid company holidays

Spring Break and Winter Break - up to 10 paid days off

Accrued vacation time (starting at 10 days/year, up to 30 with tenure)

Paid sick time

Medical, vision, and dental insurance coverage

Life and AD&D insurance

Mental health support through our medical plan and EAP

Long-term disability coverage

401(k) with 5% employer match after 1 year

FSA plans

College 529 investment options

Identity theft protection and more

Compensation:

$65K- 70K annually

Clayton's Core Values

At Clayton Early Learning, we believe that our core values help to drive actions and create habits that allow our belief in the unlimited potential of young children to become a reality. We seek candidates who demonstrate our core values and are motivated by a value-driven environment.

• Collaboration builds trust and relationships and brings new ideas, skills, and knowledge to help us do better work.

• Community fosters resiliency, stability, and strength.

• Fun reduces stress, keeps us motivated, builds connections, and models of joy for our children.

• Growth allows us to develop professionals and provide the best service.

• Stewardship enables us to have the greatest impact on the resources we have.

Clayton Early Learning is an equal opportunity employer that values workplace diversity. We strive to create an inclusive work place that embraces diverse backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives. We prohibit discrimination of employees or applicants on the basis of race, creed, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual identity, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, disability, or any other classification considered discriminatory under