At Easterseals of Chicagoland and Greater Rockford, we are committed to two – often interconnecting - pillars of work……early learning and disability. Through these pillars, we transform the lives of early learners and individuals of all abilities through access to expert educational, family, and community support. As an affiliate of America’s largest nonprofit health care organization, we have proudly served the communities and families of Chicagoland and Greater Rockford since 1936.

For more information about our organization, please visit us online at www.eastersealschicago.org.

The Child Support Specialist supports assigned HS/PFA and EHS/PI classrooms by providing ½ day of support to each classroom daily, dedicated to addressing the day-to-day needs of the classroom. Responsibilities include supporting children experiencing challenging behaviors or requiring inclusion support, facilitating planning time and coverage for teacher coaching, and assisting with the overall smooth operation of the classroom. The Child Support Specialist assists in implementing program objectives and services in compliance with the Head Start Program Performance Standards, the Head Start Act, and the Illinois State Board of Education by being part of the teaching team, and providing support to teachers with classroom activities. This includes but is not limited to, supporting the full inclusion of children with disabilities, suspected disabilities, and challenging behaviors, implementing curriculum, supervising children, communicating with parents, and providing a healthy and safe environment for children.

This role is ideal for someone who has respect for children and families with diverse values and cultures and is passionate about supporting learning environments and opportunities that are designed to help children develop physically, socially, cognitively, and emotionally and ensuring that parents are supported in their role as the child's primary teachers.

This position is headquartered at Easterseals Chicago Location at 1939 W 13th Street, Chicago, IL 60608. 

MAJOR FUNCTIONS/ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Support the quality of the classroom by working in partnership with leadership, other classroom staff, and consultants.
• Support the teaching team in creating a classroom atmosphere in which children can develop physically, intellectually, emotionally, socially, and creatively, and create a developmentally appropriate environment.
• Support the teaching team in creating an inclusive environment that supports children with disabilities, social-emotional needs, and challenging behaviors, ensuring all children feel welcomed and supported.
• Support the implementation of developmentally appropriate practice within the classroom, including utilizing materials and studies from the Creative Curriculum.
• Support the full inclusion of children with identified and suspected disabilities and/or children who need extra social-emotional support.
• Use data from child outcomes, screenings, and IFSPs/ IEPs to guide lesson planning for individual children and for the group.
• Ensure that all children within the classroom have sufficient, high-quality observations, and maintain up-to-date documentation in Child Plus, Teaching Strategies GOLD, child education files, and child portfolios.
• Implement active supervision systems, ensuring the active supervision and safety of children so that no child is ever left alone or unsupervised.
• Document observations and interventions attempted in the classroom in the database system.
• Support social-emotional development using the pyramid model.
• Prepare reports on classroom activities, including attendance records.
• Attend and/or complete required and recommended training and meetings.
• Actively invest in your own development and complete an ongoing professional development plan.
• Support the center in maintaining the highest levels in ExeleRate and NAEYC Accreditation.
• Ensure that the center is a clean and safe learning environment for all children. Share responsibility for cleaning up after all classroom activities and proper care of classroom equipment and supplies.
• Support the center’s school readiness goals.
• Implement policies and procedures with Early Head Start/Prevention Initiative and Head Start/ Preschool for All programs.
• All other duties as assigned.

Education/Certification:

• Required: Minimum of either Infant/Toddler or Preschool CDA Credential and must achieve both credentials within one year of hire if no degree.
• Preferred: Associate's degree in early childhood education, with a minimum of 30 college credits with 15 hours in ECE.
• ECE Level 2 and/or Infant Toddler ECE Level 2 within one year of hire.
• A paraprofessional license is required within 6 months of hire.

Experience Requirements:

• 1 year of early childhood classroom experience.
• 1 year of experience in serving culturally and linguistically diverse children in early childhood settings.
• 1 year of experience in Head Start/Early Head Start preferred.

Required Knowledge:

• Microsoft Office Suite or related software including Microsoft Teams.
• Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies GOLD.
• Head Start Performance Standards.
• Knowledge of Illinois Early Learning Guidelines (IELGs)
• Knowledge of Illinois Early Learning Development Standards (IELDSs)

Vehicle/Transportation Requirements:

• Valid driver’s license
• Auto insurance
• Reliable vehicle

Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to multi-task in a high stress environment.
• Ability to interact with diverse personalities.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Basic competency with office equipment including laptops and other portable devices.
• Completion of a minimum of 15 hours of continuing education per year.
• Willing to work flexible hours to accommodate the needs of the families.

ADA: Easterseals will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disability Act of 1990. Unless exempted by the Americans with Disabilities Act, all persons hired for this position are required to possess the ability to perform the physical tasks necessary to treat clients, i.e., bending, floor-sitting, etc., as well as to have the ability to lift up to 50 pounds frequently.

#ELS123