Education Specialist

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

Hours: 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.

Good Shepherd Services is a leading youth development, education and family service agency with more than 85 programs that serve over 30,000 children, youth and families each year. We give vulnerable youth in New York City the opportunity to take ownership of their future. Voted one of the top 100 places to work in NYC by Crain�s New York, Good Shepherd Services offers a fantastic work environment, a collaborative team dedicated to fulfilling our mission, and an amazing array of benefits. Join our team and help make a difference

General Requirements: All staff is expected to be committed to the mission, vision, and values of Good Shepherd Services, which includes involvement in quality improvement activities and a willingness to work within a culturally diverse environment.

Good Shepherd Services is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, participants, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors. We do not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services.