Education Specialist (EFFC)

Good Shepherd Services, Ltd; New York (NY); On-site; USD 52,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Good Shepherd Services, Ltd is seeking an Education Specialist to support youth ages 0 to 5, focusing on educational needs and developmental referrals. You will build relationships with families and coordinate with NYC DOE, CPSE, and Early Intervention teams.

The role reports to the Special Services Supervisor, Family Foster Care, and is based at 7 West Burnside Avenue, Bronx. 35 hours/week, non-exempt, with a commitment to trauma-sensitive practices and collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with at least 1 year of experience in special education and early intervention.
• Bi-lingual (English/Spanish) preferred and helpful for communications with families.
• Solid knowledge of the NYC public school system, DOE regulations, and education resources.
• Experience with special education and early intervention processes.
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word/Excel).
• Strong written, verbal, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Review intakes and screenings to ensure developmental/educational concerns are addressed.
• Assist families and planning team with initiating early intervention/CPSE evaluations.
• Submit and monitor referrals and evaluations for services.
• Provide trainings to foster parents and case planning teams on education-related services.
• Liaise with school staff, early intervention, and guardians.

Skills

Communication

Organizational skills

Teamwork

Autonomy

Bilingual

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

The Education Specialist is responsible for meeting the educational needs of youth ages 0 to 5 years old. Additionally, he/she is responsible for monitoring the developmental needs of youth in the early childhood stages, including but not limited to, making referrals as deemed necessary to Early Intervention and/or Committee on Pre-School Education (CPSE). Build and maintain healthy rapport with parent/guardians of youth. Develop and maintain professional relationships with NYC Department of Education, Committee on Pre-School Education liaisons, and Early Intervention liaison, NYC Administration for Children Services, and other school related partnerships.

Title: Education Specialist

Reports To: Special Services Supervisor, Family Foster Care

Location: 7 West Burnside Avenue, 2nd Floor, Bronx, NY 10453

Hours: 35 Hours/Week; Non-Exempt

Major Duties

• Review new intakes and psychological screenings/evaluations for the assigned age group to ensure that developmental and/or educational concerns are addressed.
• Assist parents/guardians and case planning team with initiating early intervention and/or CPSE evaluation processes.
• Submit and monitor the progress of all referrals and evaluations for special education services and/or early intervention services for youth.
• Provide continuous support and trainings to foster parents, parents, and case planning team as it relates to education and/or early intervention services for youth in foster care.
• Serve as the agency liaison for school staff, early intervention, and guardians.
• Attend and represent special services team at mandatory agency and ACS trainings, NYC DOE trainings to remain up to date on policies and procedures.
• Maintain professional boundaries with youth, foster parents, parents, and staff.
• Keep case records and education data information up to date and filed in the appropriate section of the case record.
• Commit to working from a strength based prospective.
• Document progress notes in Connections.
• Outreach and maintain ongoing communication with foster parents and parents to ensure that they are aware of the youth’s educational and/or developmental needs and are communicating with school and/or early intervention personnel.
• Attend and participate in IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plans), CPSE, and Turning 5 meetings.
• Ensures that all documentation of services is obtained and filed in the appropriate education section of the case record.
• Works with Advocates for Children and other outside organizations if legal or other advocacy is needed to ensure the child’s eligibility and access to early intervention and CPSE services.
• Works with parents and foster parents to ensure that they are aware of the child’s educational needs and are engaged with the early intervention service coordinators and/or CPSE administrators.
• Generates statistics and outcome information on education issues as required.
• Effectively use and practice the Sanctuary Model tools: safety plans, community meetings, psycho-educational groups, team meetings, red flag reviews, treatment planning conferences (or similar) and self-care, when applicable, in the department/program to create a non-violent and trauma-sensitive culture.
• Promote and model the seven Sanctuary Model commitments to create a non-violent and trauma-sensitive culture.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree required with at least 1year experience special education and early intervention
• Solid knowledge of the NYC public school system including education resources, children’s rights and DOE regulations/procedures.
• Bi-lingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
• Experience with special education and early intervention
• Ability to be flexible to meet the demands of youth in care
• Ability to work autonomously as well as part of a team
• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite, especially Word and Excel
• Excellent written, communication. And organizational skills
• Must have a commitment to work from a strength based and/or youth & family development perspective.