Position Overview Under the supervision of the Manager of Early Intervention, the Early Intervention Specialist provides specialized education services to children (from birth to their third birthday) with visual impairments and their families as part of CSC’s Early Intervention program and the Children’s Education department. This is a year-round position and does not follow a traditional school-year schedule. Essential Functions: - Primarily through home visits, conduct initial child assessments and reassessments annually (or within 12 months of previous assessment). Review all available medical, educational and/or other relevant information. Write reports, review with families, and upload to electronic health record.
- Determine child and family service needs. Make relevant referrals to community or partner agencies including county HMG/Early Intervention programs. Maintain appropriate communication within CSC and with other agencies servicing the child and/or family.
- For children without county EI, write and implement Individualized Service Plans for child/family after initial assessment and update every 6 months. For children with active IFSPs, ensure accuracy of our services/credentials and keep current/active copy in electronic health record. Participate with county partners in all aspects of IFSP development and services as appropriate. Follow guidelines as they change over time with state guidance and the varying ways counties interpret and implement state guidance. Flexibility is necessary.
- Write all necessary client assessment reports, service plans, or other data/reports and correspondence within expected timelines set by Manager. Enter case notes per agency standard timeline. Maintain client files according to agency and CARF guidelines.
- Participate and develop and/or implement center-based play group, family events or other EI family offerings (if appropriate, not all staff will participate in every offering). Manager will collaborate with EISs on these offerings as needs and resources change over time.
- Using evidence-based practices, develop individualized plans for home strategies/interventions. Provide instruction and training to children and families within home, center (CSC) or a community-based setting where child spends significant amounts of time. May accompany a family to an eye doctor appointment or other medical appointments that are critical to the child’s overall coordination of services. Virtual services may be offered as well as (or in combination with) in-person visits.
- Assist the Program Coordinator with the accurate tracking of items loaned to families from the EI lending library. EI staff may loan items to families on their caseloads according to individual child needs.
- Initiate and assist, as needed, in the coordination of EI clients accessing financial assistance for eligible items such as eyeglasses from CSC Clinic. EIS communicates directly with the optometrist in CSC Clinic and the family to coordinate fulfillment of prescription glasses for children in EIS.
- Participate in transition planning and attend the Transition Planning Conferences, (ETR and IEP meetings at request of parents, when possible) for children on EIS’s caseload to ensure smooth transitions to special education preschools or other programs of parents’ choosing. Coordinate with CSC Children’s Case Manager as appropriate as early as child age of 2 years 3 months.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: - Knowledge of principles of education of children with disabilities
- Excellent communication and organizational skills
- Ability to formally assess needs, develop and implement strategies/ interventions via Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) or ISPs.
- Ability to work as a team member internally and with county partners
- Flexibility in working with diverse county processes
- Knowledge of visual impairments and community services
- Ability to work with diverse parents/caregivers and children
- Demonstrates knowledge of the functional implications of low vision and blindness
- Demonstrates knowledge, skills and use of AT devices
- Demonstrates knowledge of effective interventions for the EI/VI population
- Knowledge of community resources
- Knowledge of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Part C services.
- Must possess the ability to perform well in both a collaborative, team environment and independently
- Proficient computer literacy
Qualifications: Minimum of two years of experience is required working with Early Intervention (Birth-3) (preferred) OR children under age 5 with disabilities. A combination of education, years of experience, and certifications will be considered. Knowledge of visual impairments in young children preferred. Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Special Education or related field. Master’s Degree preferred. Certification: Licensure as a Teacher for the Visually Impaired (TVI) or Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist (COMS) in Ohio preferred. If not already certified as a TVI/COMS, employee shall commit to enrolling in a TVI or COMS credentialed program within 60 days of hire and complete agency agreement of terms. Ohio currently offers tuition free programs for eligible individuals.
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