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 healthcare 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.

Under the direction of the Inclusion and Mental Health Manager, the Social Emotional Specialist provides expertise, training, and consultation in mental health services for Easterseals Head Start/Early Head Start programs in compliance with the Head Start Performance Standards and the Head Start Act. The Social Emotional Specialist, in collaboration with the Inclusion and Mental Health Manager, develops and monitors systems for identification, referral, and planning for children with social-emotional concerns. The Social Emotional Specialist is responsible for the delivery of all social-emotional services, including classroom observations and staffing, social-emotional education to families, training to staff, and referrals of parents and children.

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

MAJOR FUNCTIONS/ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Planning and Program Services:

• Perform individualized child observations as necessary, providing comprehensive feedback and tailored strategies to the Child Service Coordinator, families, and staff to support holistic child development.
• Assist in the creation and completion of individualized child plans as required.
• Evaluate family and child needs to develop targeted action plans that support social-emotional growth for both parties.
• Deliver a variety of trainings on current mental health and wellness topics, adhering to Head Start Standards and the Head Start Act.
• Facilitate reflective meetings with classroom staff to address and analyze social-emotional and wellness issues.
• Lead or assist in wellness initiatives for classroom staff.
• Provide crisis counseling services to Head Start families when needed.
• Offer immediate crisis support to classroom teams as situations arise.
• Maintain regular communication with designated families through home visits.
• Support teams in monitoring and tracking progress toward established goals for children and families.
• Contribute to program planning for mental health services by analyzing outcomes related to children, programs, and families.
• Coordinate referrals to appropriate services and agencies as outlined in action plans and assist in identifying and cultivating natural and professional community supports.
• Model, encourage, and coach best practices in early childhood education, including effective parenting techniques and behavior management strategies. Promote caregiver self-reflection to assess the effectiveness of daily routines and practices.
• Participate actively in the School Readiness Team, contributing to the design and implementation of the School Readiness Plan within an integrated leadership framework.
• Engage in program planning and service area implementation as a member of the integrated leadership team.
• Support enrollment and recruitment efforts as part of the Head Start/Early Head Start Team, ensuring full program participation.
• Participate in the self-assessment process and strategic planning initiatives.
• Assist in the development of service and management plans and implement systems to ensure the consistent delivery of high-quality mental health services throughout all Head Start and Early Head Start programs, in accordance with all Head Start Performance  Assist in the development of service/management plans and implementation of systems to ensure consistent, high-quality mental health services at all Head Start and Early Head Start programs in accordance with all Head Start Performance Standards.
• Provide training to staff, teachers, and parents in mental health, in compliance with Head Start Standards and the Head Start Act.
• Conduct classroom and individual child observations to prepare documentation for referrals and collaborate with Instructional Coaches to provide individualized strategies for supporting children with disabilities within classrooms.
• Participate in Parent Orientation activities.
• Support program planning for mental health services by analyzing outcomes at the child, program, and family levels.
• Serve on the School Readiness Team, contributing to the development and execution of the School Readiness Plan as part of the integrated Leadership Team.
• Engage in comprehensive program planning and implementation across all service areas as a member of the integrated leadership team.
• Take part in enrollment and recruitment initiatives as part of the Head Start/Early Head Start Team to ensure full program enrollment.
• Participate in organizational self-assessment procedures and contribute to the strategic planning process.

Record Keeping, Reporting, and Communication:

• Record the hours during which sites, children, and families receive services.
• Enter mental health information into COPA promptly.
• Compile monthly reports detailing updates and progress for sites and children served.
• Attend regularly scheduled content area and other meetings.
• Travel to Easterseals and partner sites as required.

Ongoing Monitoring:

• Help create and run systems for timely support to children and families needing mental health services.
• Help design and manage support systems for children with behavioral issues, including review processes and plans.
• Take part in monitoring programs to ensure children's active supervision and safety.Assist in the development and implementation of a system to ensure that all children and families who are identified as benefiting from mental health services receive support in a timely manner.

Human Resources:

• Work collaboratively with the Education and Inclusion Coordinators, Coaches, and Inclusion Classroom Assistants to offer expertise and support in Social Emotional Development.
• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned. 

Education/Certification:

• Bachelor’s degree in early  childhood education or related field 
• Preferred License: LCSW or LCPC 
• Minimum License: LSW or LPC

Experience Required:

• 3-5 years of early childhood experience
• 3-5 years of experience working  with children with disabilities 
• 2-3 years of experience guiding others to embrace inclusive practices in educational settings.
• Experience in Head Start/Early Head Start.
• Home visiting experience preferred.

Required Knowledge: 

• Home visiting experience 
• Early Childhood Screening Inventory Development screening preferred
• Head Start Performance Standards.
• MS Office 365, Teams

Vehicle/Transportation Requirements:

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

Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to demonstrate cultural competence and sensitivity while using reflective practices with a diverse population.
• Able to work well with all levels of the organization, partner sites, other agencies, and funding source personnel.
• Demonstrates the ability to conceptualize and articulate program outcomes.
• Well organized, highly detail-oriented, and accuracy-driven.
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

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.

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