Disability Services Coordinator

La Casa de Don Pedro; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental and vision coverage

Teladoc services

Paid time off

Paid sick leave

Life insurance

401(k) with company match

Travel reimbursement

Job summary

La Casa de Don Pedro seeks a Disability Services Coordinator to lead efforts to improve outcomes for children with disabilities within Head Start. The DSC will coordinate education, health and family engagement, ensuring compliance with Head Start Standards and federal laws including IDEA, Section 504 and the ADA.

The role involves developing enrollment strategies, coordinating with Part C and Part B partners, and supporting staff with inclusive curricula and transitions, while advocating for

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Special Education, Early Childhood Education, or related field required.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience with young children with disabilities; familiarity with IFSP/IEP processes.

Responsibilities

• Recruit and enroll children with disabilities to meet federal mandates.
• Lead screening and referral processes for potential delays.
• Collaborate with Part C and Part B partners to coordinate services.
• Work with classroom staff to implement inclusive curricula and teaching strategies.
• Ensure classrooms meet safety and accessibility standards for diverse needs.
• Facilitate transitions for children entering the program or moving to school.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Head Start standards knowledge

IFSP/IEP process familiarity

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Special Education, Early Childhood Education, or a related field

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

All Jobs > Disability Services Coordinator

La Casa de Don Pedro, Inc. (LCDP) was founded in 1972 by a group of local activists seeking to establish educational and charitable programs to meet the needs of Newark’s Puerto Rican community.

Named in honor of Don Pedro Albizu Campos, LCDP has since evolved to become the largest Latinx-led organization in the state of New Jersey, serving 50,000 Newark and Essex County residents annually under three central pillars: Early Childhood (Prenatal, Early Head Start, Head Start, and Pre-K); Healthy Homes (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Weatherization, Lead Remediation/Abatement); and Community Empowerment (Women & Family Center, Immigration, Workforce Readiness, Youth Enrichment, Housing & Home Ownership Support, and Community Organizing). For more information, please visit www.lacasadedonpedro.org and be sure to follow @lacasanwk on all social media platforms.

Who we Seek

La Casa de Don Pedro seeks a Disability Services Coordinator (DSC) who will lead the program’s efforts to improve outcomes for children with identified disabilities or suspected delays. To be successful in this role, the DSC should be able to implement a "coordinated approach," ensuring that all parts of the program including education, health, and family engagement work together to meet the needs of every child and family. The Disability Services Coordinator will serve as an integral member of the Early Childhood team, ensuring full compliance with the Head Start Program Performance Standards and federal laws including IDEA, Section 504, and the ADA.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement strategies to recruit and enroll children with disabilities to meet federal mandates.
• Lead the screening and referral process to identify children with potential developmental, sensory, or motor delays.
• Build and maintain formal partnership agreements with community partners, including Part C (Early Intervention) and Part B (Local Education Agencies).
• Collaborate with classroom staff to individualize teaching strategies and implement inclusive, research-backed curricula.
• Ensure all classrooms meet high safety and accessibility practices for children with diverse needs.
• Facilitate smooth transitions for children with disabilities entering the program or transitioning to the school system.
• Provide regular training and technical assistance to staff to build program-wide capacity for inclusion.
• Act as an advocate for families, helping them navigate the complexities of special education services and their legal rights.
• Monitor program data to evaluate the effectiveness of the coordinated service delivery model.
• Participate in trainings pertaining to job functions and Head Start Standards.
• Administers and observes the organization’s office operations, policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as needed to support organizational/pillar operations.
• Health insurance, dental and vision coverage, employee assistance program, Teladoc services, paid time off, paid sick leave, life insurance, travel reimbursement (as eligible), and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.

Requirements

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Special Education, Early Childhood Education, or a related field required (Master’s preferred).
• Proven experience working with young children with disabilities and familiarity with the IFSP/IEP process.
• Deep knowledge of the Head Start Program Performance Standards regarding disabilities.
• Strong interpersonal skills for collaborating with diverse teams and building trust with families.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.

*The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Salary Description

Compensation Based Experience and Education