Early Intervention Specialist - 1834

Colorado Coalition for the Homeless; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental plans

Vision insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Life insurance

AD&D insurance

403(b) retirement savings matching

Extensive paid time-off

Job summary

Colorado Coalition for the Homeless seeks an Early Intervention Services Specialist embedded in a childcare setting to support children’s development and connect families with resources. You will work with caregivers and community partners to promote school readiness and prevent homelessness through trauma-informed, culturally responsive approaches.

The role emphasizes relationship-building, collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, and ongoing program evaluation to improve outcomes for

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in early childhood education, Special Education, Child Development, Social Work, or related field required.
• Colorado Shines PDIS teacher credentials may be substituted to determine classification.
• Experience with homeless or at-risk families; knowledge of Medicaid and CHP+ enrollment procedures; knowledge of early childhood education/development required.

Responsibilities

• Responds to referrals within 48 hours and discusses needs with referral sources.
• Engage with parents/caregivers to explain services and encourage participation.
• Provide relationship-based coaching to caregivers to support children's learning and social-emotional development.
• Observe children in caregiving settings to identify developmental strengths and emerging concerns.
• Coordinate age-appropriate developmental, social-emotional, and caregiver-reported screenings.
• Connect families to appropriate community-based services such as Head Start, CHP+, and pediatric/behavioral health providers.
• Build collaborative relationships with early childhood staff and community partners to support coordinated care.
• Maintain HIPAA-compliant electronic health record documentation and reporting.

Skills

Relationship-building

Independent worker

Trauma-informed practice

Documentation skills

Bilingual Spanish/English

Education

Bachelor's degree in ECE/related

Level 2 Colorado Shines PDIS Teacher Credentials within 90 days

Colorado Shines PDIS credentials considered for classification

Job description

This position will be posted for a minimum of 5 days.

Coalition Mission

The mission of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is to work collaboratively toward the prevention of homelessness and the creation of lasting solutions for families, children, and individuals who are experiencing or at-risk of homelessness throughout Colorado.

The Coalition advocates for and provides a continuum of housing and a variety of services to improve the health, well-being, and stability of those it serves.

Our Philosophy of Service

We believe all people have the right to adequate housing and health care. We work to remove the barriers that restrict access to these rights. Society benefits when adequate housing and healthcare are available to everyone.

We Create Lasting Solutions To Homelessness By

• Honoring the inherent dignity of those we serve, affirming their capabilities, and fostering their hope that a better life is possible;
• Building strong, caring, and trauma-informed communities through the integration of housing, health care, and supportive services;
• Advocating for social and racial equity, inclusion, and diversity and challenging the status quo in partnership with our workforce members and those we serve;
• Achieving excellence through continuous quality assurance, innovation, and professional development;
• Using resources judiciously and effectively.

The Early Intervention Services Specialist provides prevention-focused, relationship-based support to families with young children experiencing homelessness or housing instability, with an emphasis on promoting healthy child development and preventing child abuse and neglect. Embedded within a childcare setting, the role supports children’s developmental and social-emotional growth to build school readiness, while partnering with caregivers, early childhood staff, and community providers to identify emerging needs early, offer developmentally informed guidance, and connect families to resources using trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and strengths-based approaches.

Duties/Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

• Responds to all referrals within 48 hours and consults with referral sources as needed to further discuss the needs of the family.
• Conduct outreach and engagement with parents and caregivers to explain services, build trust, and encourage voluntary participation.
• Provide relationship-based coaching to caregivers to support children’s learning, social-emotional development, and regulation during daily routines.
• Observe children in natural settings (e.g., childcare classrooms, family environments) to identify developmental strengths and emerging concerns.
• Conduct or coordinate age-appropriate developmental, social-emotional, and caregiver-reported screenings, as appropriate.
• Collaborate with care givers to interpret screening results and determine next steps.
• Connect families to appropriate community-based services, including but not limited to: Early Intervention/Community Centered Boards (CCBs), Head Start and early learning programs, pediatric and behavioral health providers, school district Child Find programs.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with early childhood staff, community agencies, and service providers to support coordinated care.
• Serve as a liaison between families, childcare staff, and external partners to promote shared understanding and consistent support.
• Provide training and consultation to staff and caregivers on child safety topics, as appropriate.
• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings and case consultations, as appropriate.
• Completes Electronic Health Record documentation in a timely and accurate manner.
• Maintains compliance with agency and HIPAA standards, including completing Releases of Information and registration paperwork.
• Track service activities and outcomes to support program evaluation and continuous quality improvement.
• Obtain training and certification in child passenger safety (car seat installation) and provide car seat safety education and hands‑on installation support to caregivers and FSS staff.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education, Experience And Job Competencies

• Education
  • Bachelor's degree in early childhood education, Special Education, Child Development, Social Work, or related field required
  • Early Childhood experience may be substituted for degree requirements
  • Colorado Shines PDIS teacher credentials may be considered to determine classification
• Experience
  • Level 2 Colorado Shine PDIS Teacher Credentials Required within 90-days of hire
  • Previous experience in implementing programming for young children and families who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless, knowledge of Medicaid and CHP+ enrollment procedures, and knowledge of early childhood education/development required.
• Bilingual skills (Spanish/English) preferred.
• Job Competencies
  • Strong relationship-building and engagement skills with children, caregivers, and community partners.
  • Ability to work independently while functioning effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team.
  • Demonstrated cultural humility and commitment to equity-centered, trauma-informed practice.
  • Strong organizational, time management, and documentation skills.
  • Computer proficiency, including electronic records, data entry, and basic reporting.
  • Sound professional judgment and ability to manage multiple priorities.

Department Overview & Requirements

• Position may require flexible scheduling, including occasional evenings or community-based outreach.
• Occasional classroom supervision or coverage within the childcare setting may be required,
• Employee must obtain and maintain PDIS Level 2 certification (or equivalent Colorado early childhood professional credential) within an established timeframe, as required by the program.
• Travel within the community is required; valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required.
• Background checks required in accordance with state regulations for individuals working with children and families.

Coalition Benefits

We offer a full suite of benefits for our eligible employees and their dependents. We’re proud to offer same-and opposite-sex domestic partner coverage.

• Health Insurance - HMO or PPO
• Dental plans, vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, supplemental life insurance
• Company paid basic life and AD&D insurance coverage, Employee Assistance Program, 403(b) retirement savings matching,
• Extensive paid time-off, including holidays, sick leave, and vacation

The effective date for your benefits will be the first of the month following your date of hire.

Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to the health or safety of themselves or others. CCH is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any characteristic protected by law.