Developmental Specialist

• A little about us… Kidango (kidango.org) is an early learning nonprofit committed to setting every child on a path to thrive in kindergarten and in life.
• We believe that all children can reach their full potential if they and their families have access to the right opportunities and resources.
• As the largest child care provider in the San Francisco Bay Area, we provide thousands of children, especially those from low-income families, with safe, healthy, nurturing environments and relationships.
• Through our policy work, we aim to take our expertise beyond the children and families that we serve, and drive change in early childhood education at the local, state and federal levels.
• Our goal is to make sure all children have the social, emotional, and academic skills they need to learn, grow and realize their potential.

About the Role

The Developmental Specialist position is responsible for providing direct services of developmental support to children and teaching staff as well as caregivers and their children within Kidango’s infant toddler/preschool early care and learning settings. The specialist provides consultation and training to empower and build the capacity of staff and/ or families to cultivate positive and inclusive environments, support the development of all children in the classroom, and work effectively, responsively and collaboratively with children, and families of children, with developmental concerns and individual developmental differences. The specialist’s role includes screenings, evaluations, consultation, planning individual programs, strengthening parent and staff effectiveness in their interactions with children with developmental differences, and building strong school/home alliances. What You’ll Be Doing Provide direct support/ early intervention services to children referred from Local Regional Centers (between the ages of 3 mo. to 3 years) in a natural inclusive based classroom environment. Work closely with Early Childhood Classroom Educators to provide inclusive based programming for children with special needs in the scope of a mainstream classroom environment. Collaborate with preschool classroom teachers, school psychologists, learning disabilities specialists, speech/hearing specialists, and school social workers to provide an integrated plan for developing the capacities of their students. Works to meet child and family goals and needs in coordination with other agencies (Local School Districts, RCEB, SARC, California Children’s Services, etc.), organizations and the medical community. Set learning goals for children, assess their progress, and record their evaluations. Update parents on the progress of their child and provide activities designed to supplement their classroom activities. Administer required screenings, assessments, and family support services in accordance with Regional Center mandates and internal Kidango infant/toddler screening and assessment requirements. Conduct and maintain required screenings, assessments, and family support services for dually enrolled Early Head Start and EIS children. Provide Local Regional Centers with written assessments and reports as required. Assist students and make accommodations as needed to participate in classroom curriculum Assist in developing schedules and accommodations, program planning, data collection and maintenance of records Assist in preparation of materials Take part in weekly reflective supervision sessions and weekly team meetings. Attends and participates in outside meetings related to caseload (IFSP, transition meetings, IEP meetings). Participates in relevant/appropriate meetings (i.e. EIS meetings, EIS training, discipline meetings, classroom meetings). Communicates with children, families and other staff in respectful and culturally sensitive manner Maintains confidentiality of children, families and employees of Kidango. Works as member of agency team by promoting the mission and philosophy of Kidango. Organizes time and equipment/supplies effectively. Represents Kidango at community and professional functions as needed. Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor. Provide direct support/ early intervention services to children referred from Local Regional Centers (between the ages of 3 mo. to 3 years) in a natural inclusive based classroom environment. Work closely with Early Childhood Classroom Educators to provide inclusive based programming for children with special needs in the scope of a mainstream classroom environment. Collaborate with preschool classroom teachers, school psychologists, learning disabilities specialists, speech/hearing specialists, and school social workers to provide an integrated plan for developing the capacities of their students. Works to meet child and family goals and needs in coordination with other agencies (Local School Districts, RCEB, SARC, California Children’s Services, etc.), organizations and the medical community. Set learning goals for children, assess their progress, and record their evaluations. Update parents on the progress of their child and provide activities designed to supplement their classroom activities. Administer required screenings, assessments, and family support services in accordance with Regional Center mandates and internal Kidango infant/toddler screening and assessment requirements. Conduct and maintain required screenings, assessments, and family support services for dually enrolled Early Head Start and EIS children. Provide Local Regional Centers with written assessments and reports as required. Assist students and make accommodations as needed to participate in classroom curriculum Assist in developing schedules and accommodations, program planning, data collection and maintenance of records Assist in preparation of materials Take part in weekly reflective supervision sessions and weekly team meetings. Attends and participates in outside meetings related to caseload (IFSP, transition meetings, IEP meetings). Participates in relevant/appropriate meetings (i.e. EIS meetings, EIS training, discipline meetings, classroom meetings). Communicates with children, families and other staff in respectful and culturally sensitive manner Maintains confidentiality of children, families and employees of Kidango. Works as member of agency team by promoting the mission and philosophy of Kidango. Organizes time and equipment/supplies effectively. Represents Kidango at community and professional functions as needed. Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.