SUMMARY
This is a full-time non-exempt position that is responsible to provide Early Intervention services and supports to families, infants, and toddlers with disabilities as well as at-risk children to maximize the child’s developmental potential. Early Intervention Service Coordination involves the planning and delivery of services founded on a partnership between families and early intervention personnel. Schedules must be flexible to meet the needs of families who are working and unavailable during traditional hours. The focus is meeting the unique needs of the child, addressing the concerns and priorities of each family, and building on family and community resources. Primary work hours will be Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm with a 30-minute lunch (37.5 hours/week) unless otherwise agreed upon.
Compliance:
As with all WCSI positions, it is the expectation that employees adhere to WCSI, County, State and Federal guidelines, regulation, policies and laws which govern the business and service of WCSI.
This position requires the employee to perform their daily job duties and responsibilities in an unstructured work environment.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Includes the following, (other duties may be assigned as deemed necessary by management):
Service Coordination Activities:
Service Coordination is an active, ongoing process that coordinates the performance of the initial and ongoing evaluations and assessments. Refers at-risk children to the tracking system and tracks and monitors the needs of these at-risk children. Facilitates and participates in the development, implementation, review, and evaluation of IFSP’s. Assists the family in gaining access to all services identified on the IFSP as well as facilitates the timely delivery of Early Intervention services. The Service Coordinator provides the family with the information necessary to select a service provider and facilitates communication with and between the family and service provider. Facilitates the development of a transition plan as part of the IFSP within regulatory timelines. Assessing family and child’s need on an ongoing basis and makes referrals to and/or provides information to families on community resources to meet these needs. The Service Coordinator will assist the family in applying for Medical Assistance.
Monitoring Activities:
Coordinates and monitors all services identified on the IFSP for effectiveness and consistency. The Service Coordinator completes intakes and is responsible to document and track the delivery of services identified on the child’s IFSP and evaluate the extent to which these services meet the family’s identified priorities. The Service Coordinator monitors the identified needs of the family and assists with community referrals as needed. Monitors must occur within the regulatory compliance guidelines with progress monitoring of outcomes documented by SC quarterly.
Advocacy Activities:
The Service Coordinator informs the family of the availability of advocacy services. They provide the family with information regarding community resources which may assist the family with identified needs. Advocacy includes providing information, removing barriers, creating options and resolving problems.
Case Documentation:
Maintains service coordination case management records. Records will consist of all documentation of contacts with the family and service providers, copies of all MDE/IFSP’s as well as all signed documents necessary for the implementation of services. In addition, any documents relative to HIPAA, outside agency correspondence and medical information must be maintained. Documentation of information, including MDE, IFSP, and services in the Pelican database.
Productivity:
Maintain expected levels of productivity by producing units through documentation of case activities for billing purposes. Provide supervisor with bi-monthly billing/monitoring of units report. Consistently maintain service provisions in accordance with the department standard, as established by WCSI.
Professional/Technical Responsibilities:
All Early Intervention Service Coordinators are mandated to meet a training requirement of twenty-four hours per calendar year. These trainings must include infant/child CPR, first aid, fire safety, emergency evacuation, cultural competence, mediation, procedural safeguards and universal health precautions. In addition to the above identified trainings, newly hired personnel will receive pre-service training before working with children. You must complete the CPR, first aid, fire safety and evacuation within 120 days of hire. Attend team meetings as scheduled.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience:
Before performing service coordination activities, a Service Coordinator must demonstrate knowledge and understanding of infants and toddlers with disabilities, the Early Intervention Service System and the nature and scope of services and funding sources.
A service coordinator shall have one of the following groups of minimum qualifications:
(1) A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college which includes 12 credits in early intervention, early childhood special education, early childhood education, child development, special education, family counseling, family studies, social welfare, psychology, or other comparable social sciences, and 1 year of full-time or full-time equivalent experience working with or providing counseling to children, families, or individuals with disabilities, required: OR
(2) An associate degree, or 60 credit hours, from an accredited college or university in early intervention, early childhood special education, early childhood education, child development, special education, family counseling, family studies, social welfare, psychology, or other comparable social sciences, and 3 years of full-time or full-time equivalent experience working with or providing counseling to children, families, or individuals with disabilities, required: OR
(3) Certification by the Pennsylvania Civil Service commission as meeting the qualifications of a Caseworker 2 or 3 classifications.
Language Skills:
Strong Interpersonal skills, effective oral and written communication skills.
Certificates, Registrations, Licenses:
Valid PA Driver’s License, Proof of Valid Auto Insurance, Act 34 (Criminal Record), and Act 33 (Child Abuse) and FBI Clearance. There will be monthly screenings of PA Medicheck List, LEIE (List of Excluded Individuals/Entities) and SAM (System for Award Management).
Other:
This position requires the availability and utilization of the employee’s personal vehicle, for purposes of transportation to and from work appointments. Transportation of clients in personal vehicles is not permitted, as agency vehicles are available for this purpose.
As a requirement of employment, certain personal information (Birth Date, Driver’s License, Diplomas, Transcripts, etc.) can be shared in a confidential communication as related to regulations, licensure and/or insurance carrier contracts.
As with all WCSI positions, this position will adhere to all random drug screening requirements, as set forth by WCSI Policy.
ENVIRONMENT, PHYSICAL and MENTAL CONDITIONS
Physical/Mental Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to operate a motor vehicle, sit, stand, walk, bend and lift objects of up to 10 pounds. The employee regularly uses a computer, phone, fax, copier and other essential office equipment to carry out daily work assignments.
Substantial problem solving in response to urgent/emergency situations, which may require immediate action. Ability to apply principles of leadership and management in daily practice.
Work Environment:
The services of this job are community based. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to a combination of office and outside/travel conditions and regularly exposed to moderate levels of noise. Exposure to outside weather condition will exist.
The work environment for this position requires the employee to have the skills and ability to perform their daily job duties and responsibilities in an unstructured work environment.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
It is WCSI’s business philosophy and practice to provide reasonable accommodations, according to applicable state and federal laws, to all qualified individuals with disabilities.