Primary Function :
Responsible for providing social-emotional and behavior support across LEO early childhood programs. The Developmental Behavior Specialist works with the Social Emotional Behavior Manager and the Mental Health Team to provide social-emotional and behavioral support for children, including classroom observation, social-emotional skill instruction, behavior intervention, crisis management, and behavior plan implementation. This position provides training, coaching, and support for staff and caregivers around healthy social-emotional development and implementing positive behavior support (Pyramid Model) in the classroom and at home.
Operations and Monitoring :
- Provides direct behavior support in center-based and community-based settings, including behavior intervention, crisis de-escalation, 1 : 1 intensive support, behavior intervention plan development and implementation
- Provides observation, intervention, and instruction to support children's healthy social-emotional development and successful peer interactions
- Provides education and modeling for educators on positive behavior support, promoting effective trauma-informed classroom management and behavior intervention
- Works with teaching teams to develop and implement individualized support plans, including integrating visual tools, structuring the classroom environment to support behavior goals, and implementing core Pyramid strategies
- Provides social-emotional education and support to families through parent consultations, team meetings, Parent Center Meetings, and parent education groups
- Conducts parent education workshops on topics including healthy social-emotional development, effective limit-setting, managing challenging behavior, and other parenting needs
- Works with the LEO Pyramid Team as a behavior specialist committed to implementing Pyramid Model across LEO early childhood programs
- Participates in case management and other team meetings as needed
- In conjunction with the Social Emotional Behavior Manager, reviews and tracks social-emotional developmental screenings and provides follow-up on concerns with classroom observation, teacher and parent consultation
- Maintains a relationship-based and trauma-informed approach, and works with the Social Emotional Behavior Manager to enhance understanding and evidence-based practice across LEO's early childhood programs
- Develops a cooperative relationship with other staff members to support implementation of social-emotional learning and behavior intervention strategies
- Maintains timely and accurate records of services provided, ensuring accurate documentation, follow-up and reporting
- Assists SEBM is documentation and reporting of behavior incidents
- Attends meetings, trainings and conferences as needed
- Completes regular federal and state reporting requirements
Additional responsibilities :
Works with all staff as needed regarding classroom management and program planningEnsure confidentiality of children's recordsWorks both on-site and remotely as needed, providing consistent services and support in the event of physical site closure or limited accessAll other duties as assignedEnhance Personal and Professional Growth :
All members of the Mental Health Team are expected to work towards attaining Infant and / or Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement credential appropriate for their education and experience levelAttend all trainings required by Head Start Performance Standards and EEC RegulationsAttend trainings, conferences and workshops as determined appropriateQualifications
Bachelor's degree in Education, Social Work, or related fieldBilingual (English / Spanish) PreferredMinimum of three (3) to five (5) years of experience working with children 0 - 5 years oldExperience using data based reporting systemWork experience with culturally and linguistically diverse populationsAbility to write reports and correspondence, and read and interpret dataKnowledge of various software programs such as MS Word, Excel, Power-Point, and Publisher software or equivalent a plusAbility to effectively engage and communicate with community members and groups, managers, regulatory agencies, and families both individually and in group settingsAbility to organize and manage time effectivelyAbility to participate in community meetings to represent, lead, advocate, educate and / or negotiate on behalf of Head Start programsCandidates must have a car and valid driver's license as travel throughout Lynn is required