LEA Representative

Pay Range:
$55,000 to $67,500 salary, paid time off and benefits.
Schedule:
Monday through Friday 8am to 4pm
POSITION SUMMARY: The Local Education Agency (LEA) Representative provides administrative oversight of Individualized Education Programs (IEP) for preschool early intervention in the City of Philadelphia and/or the City of Chester per Chapter 14 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requirements. The LEA Representative determines special education services, supplemental supports, and placements. LEA rep is the primary contact for families of children receiving Early Intervention services and provide ongoing administrative oversight of the implementation of the IEPs for children on their caseload.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• As the primary contact for families, provide guidance and support, answer questions, and orient new families to preschool early intervention and Elwyn's philosophy and mission
• Ensure that transitions of children from the (0-3) program to Elwyn Early Learning Services and from Elwyn Early Learning Services to Philadelphia School District are completed according to PA state guidelines and timelines, through participation in transition meetings, Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) record reviews and subsequent IEP meetings, case reviews and caseload management
• Write IEP's utilizing knowledge of federal, state, and local mandates and regulations, recommendations from service therapists and family members, and analysis of child needs data gathered as essential information for the IEP
• Schedule, coordinate, and lead IEP meetings and other related meetings with families and staff as required coordinate, develop, and write initial and annual IEPs
• Authorize special education placement and supplemental services and supports utilizing knowledge of federal, state, and local mandates and regulations including, but not limited to, Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) and least restrictive environment (LRE)
• Initiate referrals for IEP team as necessary to ensure child is making meaningful educational progress as defined in Chapter 14 regulations and IDEA
• Ensure accurate interpretation and implementation of evaluation instruments and assessment techniques used in preschool early intervention programs through the review of assessment reports in accordance with best practices and industry standards
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of parents rights and procedural safeguards and communicate to parents and guardians their rights under the PA Department of Education's (PDE) Procedural Safeguards Notice
• Authorize the provision of compensatory education, including, but not limited to, determining how compensatory education will be provided
• Authorize special education placement and supplemental services and supports utilizing knowledge of federal, state, and local mandates and regulations, recommendations from service providers, family members, and analysis of any progress monitoring data gathered
• Oversee and examine ongoing progress monitoring activities to ensure the child's meaningful educational progress is maintained
• Collect outside evaluations related to the child's needs to ensure that the IEP team and service delivery teams have all pertinent information in planning for appropriate services for the child
• Monitor and oversee adherence to all PA state and federal early intervention laws, guidelines and regulations through timely assessment and IEP completion, assurance of service provision, appropriate discharge from service, and compliance with related timelines
• Implement current best practices and special education methodologies relative to early intervention services
• Ensure all disciplines are maintaining the highest quality service provision to ensure successful outcomes
• Ensure accurate interpretation and implementation of evaluation instruments and assessment techniques used in preschool early intervention programs
• Follow preschool early intervention program procedural guidelines in an accurate and timely manner
• Maintain data systems including, but not limited to, maintaining educational records in paper format according to set timelines, electronic data entry of demographic information relative to children on caseload and IEP data fields in order to ensure accurate and reliable data
• Work with families, team members, agency personnel, and other service coordinators to initiate, coordinate, and facilitate smooth, positive transitions when families enter or leave the preschool early intervention program
• Work in partnership with all staff and families to establish positive rapport and trusting relationships through on-going and open verbal and written communication and status updates
• Attend various outreach meetings, such as transition to kindergarten, for families, if requested
• Participate in any available Limited English Proficiency (LEP) trainings
• Participate in ongoing trainings offered throughout the year, as applicable, related to caseload children's diagnoses and/or needs ; participate in any available Limited English Proficiency (LEP) trainings
• Oversee and provide processing of the file transfers when there is a need for location changes or change in Least Restrictive environment (LRE)
• Ensure that bi-annual re-evaluation are completed according to state guidelines via caseload management, running regular reports, and notifying the provider teams of the re-evaluation date
• Ensure correct discharge procedures are followed via caseload management, running regular reports, notifying provider teams of child's discharge from program, and following through to ensure that discharge Early Childhood Outcomes (ECO) data has been completed by the provider teams
• Review and revise educational plans as needed and per state/local regulations at appropriate intervals
• Ensure that all separate forms for Approved Private School (APS) children, the 4010 and 4011 application, are completed as children leave the APS Program, and forward it to the appropriate school district personnel
• Perform other duties as assigned

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILLS REQUIREMENTS :

• Current Pennsylvania Teaching Certificate in Special Education or Early Childhood ; Master's Degree preferred
• Two (2) years' experience in an educational setting developing, writing, and implementing IEPs, preferably in early childhood
• Demonstrated working knowledge of federal and state Special Education regulations including Act 212, IDEA 2014, and Chapter 14
• Demonstrated working knowledge of current issues in early childhood education, including current best practices and special education methodologies as they related to Early Intervention
• Qualified to provide, or supervise the provision of, specially designed instruction to meet the unique needs of children with disabilities
• Knowledgeable about education curriculum including, but not limited to, its purpose, content, outcome measures, and best-practices
• Familiarity with the availability of resources of the public agency
• Group leadership skills
• Demonstrated understanding of early childhood development principles and practices
• Demonstrated effective problem solving skills, clear communication and appropriate interpersonal interactions to build and maintain positive, professional working relationships with peers and supervisors
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Must possess excellent customer interaction, collaboration, presentation, and written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated intermediate experience with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint; Publisher and report-writer experience preferred
• Dual language proficiency preferred
• Must have current, valid driver's license in state of residence, three (3) years driving experience, and acceptable driving record

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ENVIRONMENTAL PROFILE : See Physical Demands Checklist below which represents the general physical demands and environment conditions to which the employee holding this position must meet, in addition to the duties and responsibilities listed above, to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Elwyn will engage otherwise qualified candidates for this position whose disabilities may require reasonable accommodations to enable an individual to perform the essential functions.
Elwyn reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as needed. This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive statement of duties and responsibilities of the job nor does it constitute a written or implied contract.
Elwyn is an Equal Opportunity Employer . All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation and identity, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, genetic information, disability status, military or veteran status, marital or family status, political activities or affiliations, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, and federal law.