POSITION:                                 Early Intervention Specialist
EEO JOB CATEGORY:        Professional
FLSA STATUS:                          Exempt

 

Through the provision of special education services of children (ages birth to the third birthday) with visual impairments and their families, and, under the supervision of the Manager of Early Childhood Services, implement the philosophy and services of CSC’s Early Intervention program and the CSC Department of Education. The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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 families without reliable access to technology, assist in obtaining all registration paperwork from families at intake and subsequent updated releases of information throughout duration of EI services. Collect any additional papers that require signatures from parents and upload to electronic health record.
• Write and implement Individualized Service Plans for child/family after initial assessment and update every 6 months with family OR for children on whose IFSPs you are on the grid of services with local county EI programs, 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. All documents should be uploaded into the electronic health record
with appropriate staff signatures and with all information filled in prior to uploading.
• Develop and implement center-based class (if appropriate) and home lesson
plans, 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 also be offered if appropriate.
• 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. May require that the EIS secures a
signed loan agreement if family is not able to complete it electronically. Also
ensure that loaned items are returned to CSC EI lending library at completion of EI
services.
• 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 on EIS caseloads.
• Participate in transition planning and attend the Transition Planning Conferences,
(ETR and IEP meetings at request of parents, when possible) for children on your
caseload to ensure smooth transitions to special education preschools or other
programs of parents’ choosing. Coordinate with CSC Children’s Case Manager as
appropriate.
• Coordinate and collaborate with supervisor on needed support for children/families
on your caseload and advise regarding any barriers to service provision.
• Assist supervisor with identification of children to register for Federal Quota (FQ),
help obtain necessary forms to support the registration from parents/guardians (if
needed) throughout the year. Also register eligible children for the Deaf-Blind
census with parent permission.
• Provide public education through written materials, virtually, and/or make public
presentations when requested by supervisor.
• Attend seminars, workshops or classes to maintain current certification and/or to
acquire training and certification in assessment and intervention methods of
working with children with visual impairments related to Early Intervention
procedures and models, Pre-braille/Braille, Orientation & Mobility, CVI
(Neurological Visual Impairments) and other relevant topics in the education of
infants, toddlers and preschoolers with visual impairments.
• EI staff with TVI or COMS credential(s) may be expected to assist colleagues and
co-workers in CSC’s Department of Education as needed or necessary. Staff with
TVI or COMS certification will support EIS colleagues without those licensures with
child assessments such as FVAs, CVI assessments, or O&M assessments (for
children not on the TVI’s nor COMS’s own caseloads). The TVI or COMS will
provide services as determined necessary based on those assessments (ex: O/M
assessment may determine a need for cane instruction services on an IFSP).
• According to program philosophy, Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities,
Ohio Department of Children & Youth, and CARF regulations, organize and
maintain appropriate and sanitized instructional materials and supplies.
• The successful employee will have a valid driver’s license in the State of Ohio with
daily access to an insured vehicle.

Basic Functions:
• Travel to and from outside appointments not utilizing public transportation
• Makes assessments, referrals, report writing, plan education programs, provide
public education, provide service coordination
• Ability to use and input into software applications and EHR database
• Provide program support as needed to CYAS programs and activities
• Provide direct service to clients and families
• Work flexible hours to meet the needs of families
• Maintain physical requirements of position
• Maintain auto insurance in compliance with agency policy

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)
• Ability to work as a team member
• Knowledge of visual impairments and community services
• Ability to work with diverse parents/caregivers and children

 

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 is preferred
If not already certified as a TVI/COMS, you must commit to enroll 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.

Experience:
Minimum of two years of experience is required working with Early Intervention (birth-3) or
children under age 5 with disabilities. A combination of education, years of experience, and
certifications will be considered

Equipment and Tools:
• Personal computer, department software for client notes, and Microsoft Office Word, Excel,
Outlook

Physical Requirements:
• Must be able to perform frequent travel in the community using one’s own vehicle
• Must be able to lift, push or pull up to 10 pounds

The employee is expected to adhere to all agency policies and to act as a role model in
the adherence to agency policies including HIPAA and Code of Ethics.

 

Work Conditions:

• Competitive salary
• Generous annual paid time off that starts immediately (Part-time PTO is prorated)
• 20 days PTO (increases after 5 years of service)
• 7 sick days
• 9 holidays
• 37.5 hour work week
• One day per week remote work depending on position
• Full-coverage medical and dental insurance offered
• $600 annual in H.S.A. employer contributions (up to $1100 based on plan/entry date)
• 401(k) plan with 25% agency match
• Free 401k planning with licensed financial planner
• Agency paid life insurance
• Agency paid long-term disability insurance
• Voluntary life insurance and voluntary short term disability insurance
• Comprehensive EAP (Employee Assistance Program) including self-care and professional/personal growth training
• Free parking

• Vision exams and assessments
• Recommendations and instruction on low vision aids and assistive technology
• Training on tools and techniques
• Education and support to children and families
• Employment opportunities within CSC or other organizations
• Advocacy for accessibility needs in school, work and community
• Recreation and socialization activities
• Counseling and peer support groups