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.
Supports 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 ChildPlus 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 ChildPlus 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 ChildPlus 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…