Provide specialized early intervention and home-based instruction for children with visual impairments or multiple disabilities. Coordinate with families, medical providers, and educational agencies to implement Individual Family Service Plans (IFSP) and support transitions to public schooling.
Requirements summary
Requires a bachelor's degree in Special Education, Child Development, Social Work, or a related field. Must possess a valid CA Driver License with a clean driving history and preferably be bilingual in Spanish.
Category: Nonprofit - Social ServicesAt Wayfinder Family Services, we understand the unique challenges facing some of our state’s most vulnerable children, youth and adults. Those with disabilities, those without a home of their own, those who have been abused and many, many more. We answer the call for them. We believe in the amazing potential in, and for, each and every one of them. And, together, we find a way to turn that potential into reality. Program and Role Summary Wayfinder’s Child Development Services provides early intervention in person to children from birth to age 6 with visual impairment or multiple disabilities. Young children maximize any vision they have and reduce developmental delays. Parents learn to provide their child with therapeutic stimulation and advocate for their child’s education and care. Child development reduces the need for special education and increases independence for children with disabilities. The primary focus on the Child Development Specialist, is to provide specialized services to families of young children with vision impairments and/or multiple disabilities from birth through five years of age. The Child Development Specialist provides home instruction, lesson plans, resource information, and referrals to local community-based organizations, advocates for the client’s family, and partners with parents and caregivers to empower them as advocates for their child. The hourly wage range for this role is $23.00 - $26.00. This position is home-based and will cover the catchment areas of the East Los Angeles Regional Center, San Gabriel Pomona Regional Center, and the South Central Regional Center, as needed. We've included a map of the service area this program supports. Our goal is for our Child Development Specialists to support cases closest to one regional center and maintain the flexibility to support other areas, if needed.
Primary
Responsibilities:
Provide direct intervention in the child's natural environment: home, at a center-based site, or a hospital. Coordinate your schedule to meet the family's needs, ensuring the weekly visits are met as authorized by the Regional Center or School District. Conduct functional vision and developmental assessments using observation, parent interviews, authentic assessment strategies, and formal assessment tools. Per the frequency of the Regional Center, assessments include but are not limited to Oregon, DAYC-2, and HAWAII (HELP). Frequency includes but is not limited to every 3, 6 or 9 months. Participates in developing and implementing each child’s Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) and outcomes in collaboration with the family and education team, providing progress reports as required by each Regional Center or Local Education Agency. Assists and supports family in transitioning to the public school system or appropriate preschool setting (Birth to 3 children). Actively collaborates with community-based providers of related services, including medical and educational providers, to help identify children with vision loss and developmental delays and provide access to services as part of Child Find. Completes and maintains client case files and client database, including : Face Sheet, Home Visit Log Notes, intake forms, Developmental Profile, Family Program Plan, Physician Reports, Correspondence, Reports of Medical Visits, IFSPs, IEPs, assessments, and Medi-Cal documentation. Other duties as outlined in the position description.
Benefits
Dental Insurance
Life Insurance
Paid Holidays
Paid Time Off
Vision Insurance
Medical Insurance
Employee Referral Program
Long-term Disability Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan With Employer Match
Training And Professional Development
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
Education Tuition Assistance Program
Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Plans
QualificationsEducation and
Experience: A minimum of a B.A., B.S. degree in Special Education, Child Development, Orientation and Mobility, Infant or Early Childhood, Social Work, or another related field from an accredited university is required. Bilingual (Spanish), preferred. Familiarity with services available to infants, young children, and their families with vision loss and multiple disabilities in California preferred. Valid CA Driver License with a minimum of three (3) years good driving history and must be approved by the agency’s insurance carrier to drive agency vehicles.
Benefits
Wayfinder is committed to providing our employees with a benefits program that is both comprehensive and competitive which includes: Paid Time Off: Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) policy, 11 paid holidays, plus five winter holidays Medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance 401(k) retirement plan with employer match up to 4% Employee referral program: Encourage your colleagues to join us Education tuition assistance program: Invest in your career development Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible Flexible spending account (FSA) plans Eligibility and other benefits are outlined in plan documents Additional Benefits Offered for this role : Training and professional development Wayfinder Family Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We support a drug-free workplace and conduct pre-employment background and drug screenings.
Market context
California child development roles stay in steady demand
In California, Child Development Specialist roles are often tied to early intervention, family support, and school-based services, so demand is typically steady where agencies serve young children and families. These positions can be competitive because employers look for a relevant bachelor’s degree, a clean California driving record, and sometimes bilingual Spanish skills. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then tailor your application to show child development experience, mobility, and family-facing communication.
