Child and Family Development Specialist

Jewish Council for Youth Services (JCYS) is a 117-year-old, Chicago-based nonprofit organization that provides early childhood education and camping programs to children of all religions, races, and ethnicities across Chicagoland. Our mission informs everything we do: Guided by Jewish values and culture, Jewish Council for Youth Services provides educational and recreational programs for Chicagoland’s children and, through board service, develops the next generation of Jewish civic leaders.

With a budget of $12 million and a 200-person staff, JCYS programs serve over 700 families a year through four Family Centers. In addition, the JCYS Board of young Jewish professionals participates in the JCYS Leadership Circle. In this hands-on leadership development program, board members build the skills they need for a lifetime of civic and Jewish leadership.

We are looking for a Child and Family Development Specialist to join our team. This role will support children in our Buffalo Grove and Highland Park locations.

The role: The Child and Family Development Specialist will provide support to parents and children as they enter a group care setting and assist families and teachers when there are concerns regarding a child’s ability to successfully navigate the classroom environment and relationships with their peers.

Position Responsibilities:

• Observing children identified by teachers or parents as having difficulty in the classroom and making appropriate recommendations for parent meetings and/or further evaluation. Helping teachers make accommodations for children in classrooms as needed.
• Coordinating services from occupational therapy, speech therapy and mental health consultants.
• Meetings with prospective families, particularly when they are concerned that their child has special needs.
• Answering parent questions about common child-raising issues such as sleeping, eating, toileting, discipline, home and school routines, etc.
• Referring families to Early Intervention, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Mental Health Services, Neurologists and public-school programs as appropriate.
• Providing “push-in” facilitated play services in the classroom for children who have difficulty entering social play with peers; this involves the Specialist helping a specific child work on play skills within the classroom rather than pulling the child out of the room.
• Implement Social groups for children. Working as part of an Admin team in training and supporting teachers in working with children who exhibit special needs.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university.
• Preferred Master’s Degree in Social Work or Special Education.
• Minimum of three years working in early childhood education.

Salary commensurate with experience. JCYS offers a generous benefit package that includes PTO, health, dental, vision, life, LTD, and STD insurance and an employer matched 401K plan. Jewish Council for Youth Services is an (EEO) Equal Opportunity Employer.