DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: Work involves responsibility for program planning and oversight of delivery of services provided to children ages birth through five years, as part of the Early Intervention and Pre-School Programs through the Putnam County Department of Health. The incumbent plans, directs, coordinates, supervises and evaluates the delivery of services to children with disabilities, and is responsible for assuring that these services are available to all County residents whose children qualify for the Early Intervention and/or Preschool Special Education Programs.  The incumbent formulates, develops, and changes program policies and procedures in order to ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State and Local laws, rules and regulations and is responsible for ensuring that the programs deliver appropriate, quality services and monitors outside agencies within the scope of state regulations.  Work is performed under general direction of the Commissioner of Health. Supervision is exercised over Early Intervention and Pre-School Program personnel. Performs related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only)

• Interprets Federal, State and Local regulations as they relate to the county’s role regarding children ages birth through five years with needs that can be addressed by early intervention/pre-school programs;
• Represents the County as the designated Early Intervention Official (EIO)appointed by the Putnam County Executive;
• Develops policies and procedures related to the county’s functioning in these areas consistent with NYS Department of Health and Education Department standards, and oversees the implementation of such policies;
• Oversees and/or initiates the development of individual programs for children with developmental delays and their families;
• Monitors the implementation of programs for children where services are provided through individual providers or agency providers;
• Conducts investigation of complaints or problems and takes corrective action and participates in mediation and fair hearings, as needed;
• Recruits service providers to whom referrals may be made;
• Initiates and oversees contracts and agreements between Putnam County DOH and other proprietary and non-profit agencies, as well as individuals for the provision of preschool services and/or Assistive Technology equipment, utilizing appropriate County procedures;
• Visits service sites on a regular basis to ensure that proper services are being provided in accordance with NY State Regulations and Health and Safety Guidelines;   
• Develops and oversees an integrated program of quality assurance activities relative to compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and program requirements;
• Acts as a liaison within the County with regard to providing specialized services to meet the needs of children who are at risk or who are suspected of having or have been diagnosed as having developmental delays according to state regulations;
• Oversees the development and operation of third party and Medicaid billing systems or procedures for services provided through programs;
• Provides training, and promotes public understanding and cooperation with the NY State Department of Health Early Intervention and NY State Department of Education Preschool Special Education Program Regulations and objectives of children’s Early Intervention/pre-school programs, e.g. with program providers, various child-find efforts and local community organizations;
• Serves as coordinator of the Local Early Intervention Coordinating Council (LEICC);
• Participates in preparation of program budget in accordance with any relevant county policies/protocols, State and Federal requirements, and program needs;
• Collects or oversees the collection of required Early Intervention and Preschool data and prepares monthly, quarterly, yearly reports to state agencies and County departments as required;
• Attends community meetings, professional conferences, New York State Department of Health conferences and workshops, as needed;
• Performs a variety of related activities, as required.

Typical Work Activities are intended only as illustrations of possible types of work that might be appropriately assigned to an incumbent of this title. Work activities that do not appear above are not excluded as appropriate work assignments, as long as they can be reasonably understood to be within the logical limits of the job.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES & PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Comprehensive knowledge of the principles, practices, methods used to evaluate children to determine the need for treatment; comprehensive knowledge of therapies and interventions appropriate for treatment of children in early intervention and pre-school programs; comprehensive knowledge of federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding pre-school and early intervention programs for birth to age 5; thorough knowledge of resources available in the community for infants and children who require intervention; ability to implement fiscal plans and budget requirements in administration of early intervention and pre-school programs; ability to understand and interpret federal and state laws, rules and regulations, and to apply them to county policies and programs; ability to develop and plan programs, participate in program implementation, analyze program efficacy, and communicate and present information regarding such programs; ability to supervise the work of others; ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing with groups and individuals; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of people and agencies; ability to deal effectively and objectively with people, including of diverse socio-economic backgrounds and cultures; good listening skills; social perceptiveness; initiative; resourcefulness; organizational ability; enthusiasm; patience; good judgment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Possession of a Master’s degree in Social Work and licensure as a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and at least two (2) years of early intervention and preschool program experience which shall have included administrative and supervisory experience; or
2. Possession of a Master’s degree in Social Work and licensure as a Master Social Worker (LMSW)and at least three (3) years of early intervention and preschool program experience which shall have included administrative and supervisory experience; or
3. Possession of a Master’s Degree in Education, Public Administration, Public Health, Nursing or closely related field and a least four (4) years of early intervention and preschool program experience which shall have included administrative and supervisory experience.
4. An equivalent combination of training and experience as described in a), b), and c) above.

NOTE: Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education.

SUBSTITUTION NOTE: Per NYCRR Title 10, Part 69, §69-4.4(a)(1)(i), verifiable voluntary or part-time experience is acceptable to meet the above described requirements on a pro-rata basis.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Access to transportation may be required to complete field work assignments in a timely and efficient manner.

11/99; 8/09; 11/10; 1/20

Competitive