Child Development Specialist
Summary The Child Development Specialist (CDS) is a vital member of the Early Childhood and Early Intervention team who delivers early intervention and developmental wellness services to children ages 3–5 in preschools, childcare centers, community agencies, and school-based settings. This role focuses on supporting social-emotional learning, developmental milestones, and behavioral health in young children through embedded consultation, behavior coaching, and family engagement. The Specialist works collaboratively with educators, parents, and clinical teams to foster resilience, improve classroom behavior, and ensure children are on a strong path to kindergarten readiness and long-term success. This individual will be trained in Conscious Discipline , Triple P Parenting , PCIT-Informed Strategies , Mental Health First Aid , and other evidence-based practices relevant to early childhood mental and behavioral health. Duties
- Provide on-site support in classrooms and community settings through developmental screenings, behavioral observations, and relationship-based coaching aligned with each child’s needs.
- Offer direct consultation and modeling to educators and caregivers to promote self-regulation, pro-social behavior, and trauma-informed care using strategies such as Conscious Discipline and PCIT-Informed tools.
- Conduct or coordinate early mental health assessments and work with families and teams to create action plans addressing developmental, social-emotional, and behavioral needs.
- Deliver family engagement services through parenting support, Triple P parenting sessions, and referrals to appropriate services or evaluations.
- Build trusting partnerships with teachers, families, and community partners to support whole-child wellness.
- Document service delivery in the electronic health record and maintain accurate, timely progress notes per agency guidelines.
- Support parent education events, family groups, and trainings both in-person and virtually as needed.
- Participate in team case reviews, multidisciplinary meetings, community engagement, and professional development activities.
- Maintain compliance with all agency, local, state, and federal requirements, including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2.
- Champion the agency’s mission to strengthen mental health in early childhood through upstream, preventative interventions.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- In-depth understanding of early childhood development, positive behavior supports, and social-emotional learning frameworks.
- Strong grounding in the impact of trauma, poverty, and adversity on young children and families.
- Ability to implement and/or be trained in evidence-based models such as Conscious Discipline, PCIT strategies, Triple P Parenting, and Mental Health First Aid.
- Confidence in leading difficult conversations and coaching staff/families with empathy, clarity, and cultural sensitivity.
- Excellent communication, documentation, and collaboration skills.
- Able to manage multiple locations, prioritize demands, and respond flexibly in dynamic environments.
- Competence in working across diverse racial, socioeconomic, linguistic, and cultural backgrounds
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and electronic health record (EHR) systems.
- Ability to convey a warm, professional, and mission-aligned presence
- Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Social Work, Psychology, Human Development, or related field required. Bachelor's preferred.
- LSW, LISW, LPC, or LPCC license highly welcomed and may qualify the candidate for enhanced responsibilities and compensation.
- Minimum of one (1) year of experience working directly with young children and/or families in an educational, behavioral, or clinical setting.
- Familiarity with Head Start, Preschool Promise, or early care settings preferred.
- Must meet QMHS requirements or demonstrate equivalent skills aligned with paraprofessional clinical support roles.
- Will receive training and supervision in Conscious Discipline, PCIT-informed care, Mental Health First Aid, and other child- and parent-facing intervention tools.
- CPR, First Aid, and de-escalation certifications required (may be provided by agency).
- Must be able to engage at the child’s level (floor play, small group seating, classroom observation).
- Must travel to community-based programs using own vehicle; mileage reimbursement provided.
- Must have a valid Ohio driver’s license and up-to-date auto insurance per state requirements.
- Work Hours: 40 hours per week (Full-time)
- Pay Frequency: Weekly
- Benefits:
- AD & D insurance options offered through AFLAC
- BCI/FBI background checks paid by On Purpose Academy & Mentoring Center
- Health Insurance coming in August of 2025
- Additional Compensation Opportunities:
- Staff appreciation programs, professional growth incentives
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