Title: Child Care Inclusion Specialist

Reports To: Becky Strickfaden

Salary Range: $50,000 - $55,000

About United 4 Children 

United 4 Children (U4C) makes children a priority. By providing children with healthy meals, creating safe places to learn and play, and providing social-emotional and inclusive services for children with special needs or challenging behaviors – United 4 Children ensures every child has the foundation to thrive. U4C offers high-quality support programs serving children up to 13 so that families can feel at ease knowing their children, regardless of ability, are receiving the best care possible and have every opportunity to succeed.  

United 4 Children’s Values 

At United 4 Children, it is expected that we center our common values in the work that we do individually and together. We hold each other accountable to live out these values in our work and celebrate with each other as we demonstrate the following: 

• Community - We put the needs and desires of children, families, and caregivers at the center of our work. We partner with schools and fellow nonprofit organizations to create excellent educational and developmental opportunities for every child in the region. 

• Trust - For the last 50 years, we have been honest and earnest in all our interactions. We strive to readily meet community needs particularly where other resources do not exist. 

• Equity - We seek to understand the disparities facing children, families, and childcare providers. We ensure everyone has access to the resources needed to thrive. 

• Empathy - We strive to understand the unique experiences of every person we encounter. We respect each person’s journey and seek to support everyone’s specific needs. 

Overview:  

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, through the Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant, provides inclusion referral services, technical assistance, and training throughout the state to help families and caregivers of children with special needs. A child with special needs is a child who may require enhanced child care services over that of a typically developing child due to an actual or perceived developmental disability and/or delay, health/mental health, or behavior issues. Child care Inclusion specialists help families who have children with special needs locate and select child care meeting their unique requirements, provide technical assistance to child care providers and families of children with special needs at no charge to the family or child care program, and provide face-to-face clock hour training on inclusion practices throughout the state. We are looking for 2 Full-time Childcare Inclusion Specialist throughout the state and 4 Part-time in the Northeast/Southwest Missouri region. 

Child Care Inclusion Services Overview: 

Our United 4 Children team provides resource and referral, technical assistance, coaching, education, and evaluation services to help families locate and select child care meeting their unique needs. Child Care Inclusion Specialists are dedicated to giving the best care to ALL children, including children with social emotional and developmental concerns, challenging behaviors, or disabilities. This is available to any child, child care provider, or family seeking assistance to address behaviors or unique needs in child care settings in the State of Missouri. 

Child Care Inclusion Specialists have four primary responsibilities: (1) Provide technical assistance for child care providers, caregivers, and teachers to support children with challenging behaviors, developmental concerns, or disabilities in the ‘natural environments’ of child care, classrooms, schools, communities, and home setting. Child-Specific and General Classroom TA is provided on-site or virtually based on the needs of the children, professionals, and families; (2) Assist families of children with special needs or challenging behaviors to locate, enroll, and maintain placements in ECE programs through the State Inclusion Resource & Referral Hotline; (3) Provide in-person and virtual trainings for ECE professionals, the community, and stakeholders on inclusion topics and best practices; (4) Promote Inclusion Services to build awareness and inform community members, ECE professionals, families, and stakeholders of the services provided by U4C. 

Skills We Are Looking For:

• A minimum of a BS in Early Childhood, Early Childhood Special Education, Child Development, Elementary Education, Child Psychology, or closely related field. An advanced degree or equivalent work experience in Early Childhood Development, Education, or related field.
• At least 3 years of experience working with teachers/staff in a licensed, regulated, or public-school childcare or educational program (graduate work may be substituted for 1 year)
• Pass a Family Care and Safety Registry Screening.
• Authorized to work in the United States.
• Ability to retain a minimum of liability vehicle insurance.
• Experience and skill working with diverse populations.
• Successful implementation of trauma informed and inclusive strategies.
• Knowledge and/or experience with Pyramid Model or Conscious Discipline, preferred.
• Experience conducting child screening tools (ASQ-SE preferred).
• Conscientious use of justice, equity, and inclusion lens when working with self and others.
• Ability to navigate electronic systems and maintain digital documentation in compliance with inclusion contract and agency requirements
• Ability to multi-task and manage multiple projects.
• Ability to communicate in a clear and effective manner.
• Successful at working in multiple teams simultaneously.
• Ability to work some weekends and nights.

Perks and Benefits: 

• Health insurance: employer contribution of 80%
• Portion of dental insurance covered
• Employer paid 401 (K) contribution: 3% of gross salary
• Employer paid Basic Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance with a coverage of $50,000
• PTO (PAID TIME OFF): starting at 20 days (about 4 weeks) annually  
• Paid holidays: 13 days (about 2 weeks)
• Annual merit-based incentives
• Monthly phone stipend
• Mileage reimbursement at .670 per mile
• Flexible Schedule  
• Hybrid work environment  
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Ask about our other benefits  

United 4 Children is an equal opportunity employer. United 4 children does not discriminate in employment with regard to age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including transgender status, gender identity or expression), sexual stereotyping, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), marital status, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), association with anyone who is a member of a protected class, AIDS/HIV status, veteran status, uniformed servicemember status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. Equal access to programs, services, and employment is available to all qualified persons. Those applicants requiring accommodation to complete the application and/or interview process should contact a management representative.