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Special Needs Coordinator
Title: Special Needs Coordinator (Early Childhood Regional Center) 12 Month
Department: Head Start Partnership Support (9391)
The School District of Philadelphia is committed to becoming the fastest improving District in the country and transforming the educational opportunities it offers to our city’s more than 198,000 students. The District seeks leaders who have a passion for working with schools and communities who are committed to ensuring all students achieve. Serving a population as diverse as ours requires creativity, commitment and vision. Will you join us?
Job Summary
Plans and develops treatment programs for children with various psychological, physical and learning handicaps enrolled in the Prekindergarten Head Start, Comprehensive Day Care Programs or registered families in the Early Childhood Regional Center. Works with psychologists and other diagnosticians in developing individual treatment plans for those children with suspected or confirmed special needs. Oversees staff and children in the Prekindergarten Head Start, Comprehensive Day Care Programs and Early Childhood Regional Center to identify special needs children and assess the effectiveness of individual plans currently being implemented. Assesses family needs and develops and implements ongoing individualized special needs and family plans.
Essential Functions
• Plans, develops and coordinates a program involving the screening and referral of children for the detection of handicapping conditions and the treatment of confirmed cases.
• Participates in the development of individualized education plans for those children found to have special needs.
• Assists in the selection of curriculum materials for staff who teach children with handicapping conditions; identifies and makes recommendations regarding the purchase of appropriate equipment and supplies.
• Visits centers to observe the teaching staff and handicapped children; works with staff in the implementation of individual education plans for children with handicaps.
• Works extensively with parents of special needs children to ensure continuity of care beyond the center setting.
• Explains and demonstrates treatment techniques and procedures to teachers and their assistants; explains and demonstrates classroom and home treatment procedures to parents.
• Plans and conducts in-service training and staff development sessions for instructional coordinators, teachers, parents and other staff regarding the detection, definition, evaluation and treatment of handicapping conditions among preschool children.
• Fosters communication and cooperation among parents, teachers, social workers and diagnosticians.
• Maintains confidential files for each child which include test results and individualized education plans.
• Maintains records of training sessions with teachers, parents and other center staff.
Minimum Requirements
• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in psychology, special education or a related field.
• Three years for full-time, paid, professional experience in a setting which has involved planning and developing treatment programs for children.
Certificates/Licenses
• Valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Supervisor of Elementary Education certificate
OR
• Valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Administrative certificate for Elementary School Principal.
The candidate must ensure that all of their relevant work experience is reflected on their resume prior to the submission of their application for District employment.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Demonstrated knowledge of:
o child growth and development.
o psychological and physical handicaps and how they effect the learning process.
o the diagnostic instruments, measures and tests used to detect handicapping conditions in children.
o the available resources in the diagnosis and treatment of handicapping conditions.
o current materials and equipment available for use in instructing children with handicapping conditions.
• Demonstrated ability to:
o make initial assessments of children with special needs.
o participate with other professionals in the development of individualized plans based on observations and test results.
o train others in the principles and techniques of the treatment of psychological and physical disabilities within the educational process.
o present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
o establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.