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

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.

• 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.