Tchr, Sp Ed Infant Aud Imp (2)

POSITION SUMMARY

A Region 4 Regional Day School Program for the Deaf (RDSPD) parent advisor delivers family-centered services in the home for infants and toddlers, ages birth through 2 years, in conjunction with ECI as outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (TX HHSC) and TEA adhering to the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part C (IDEA-C). The parent advisor’s role is to provide neutral and unbiased information to families while using a coaching approach to support families and children with hearing differences. Areas of support include but are not limited to audition, communication and language, and literacy development. Through the Region 4 RDPSD Shared Services Arrangement (SSA), the parent advisor will provide services across the SSA’s member school districts, ensuring that families of children who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deafblind receive consistent high-quality services and support.

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

List most important duties first
1. Collaborate with ECI providers to plan appropriate services and assessments
2. Utilize knowledge of infant and toddler development to assist families and to create appropriate early learning environments
3. Evaluate and write communication assessments including communication levels, developmental milestones, and functional skills for children who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deafblind 
4. Participate in Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) meetings
5. Collaborate with families and childcare providers to provide quality specialized instructional programming to students with hearing differences
6. Plan and use appropriate instructional strategies, activities, materials and equipment that reflect accommodations and/or modifications for individual needs of the child
7. Provide professional home visits and consultation to families of children with hearing loss between the ages of birth to -3 years old, based on family’s and child’s respective needs
8. Assist families in understanding nature and degree of child’s hearing difference and the impact of the impairment on child’s development
9. Support family communication by using technology to access visual, auditory, and/or tactile information as appropriate
10. Assist families with the enrollment process as outlined in the Region 4 RDSPD SSA and verify proper coding
11. Facilitate family coaching sessions with parents, families, and/or caregivers to address their specific needs and goals
12. Track and evaluate progress by jointly planning, observing, practicing, reflecting, and providing feedback to parents, families, and/or caregivers
13. Provide instruction in communication methods, including sign language, listening and spoken language , and alternative and augmentative communication systems

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES CONTINUED

14. Ensure efficient planning and organization for daily travel to multiple environments, providing consistent and structured support to infants, toddlers and caregivers
15. Submit all needed paperwork to ECI in accordance with respective agency timelines
16. Maintain student portfolios and confidentiality of all records and information pertaining to families
17. Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team to create Individualized Education Plans for toddlers transitioning to 3-year-old services, ensuring a smooth and supportive transition that meets each child's unique needs
18. Attend professional development for parent advisors to stay current on deaf and hard-of-hearing laws, regulations, best practices, techniques, and emerging technologies
19. Exemplify and develop positive interpersonal relationships among ECI providers, families, other service providers, and Region 4 RDSPD member school districts
20. Provide educational materials and resources to support families in their journey
21. Coordinate with other involved agencies, service providers, and stakeholders; attend appropriate meetings as directed by supervisor or Region 4 RDSPD program coordinator
22. Work in collaboration with member districts as part of the Region 4 RDSPD
23. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

TYPE OF SKILL AND/OR REQUIRED LICENSING/CERTIFICATION
• Valid Texas Teacher Certification for Teacher of the Deaf - Required
• Sign communication proficiency demonstrated through successful completion of TASC and/or TASC-ASL-Preferred; willingness to pursue TASC and/or TASC-ASL proficiency – Preferred
• Communication Skills: Employees must have the ability to collaborate within the district and out of district agencies. 
• Technology: Employee must utilize electronic system for creating IEPs.
• Knowledge of federal, state, local laws and regulations 
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Maintain emotional control under stress
• Bilingual Skills: Preferred – Spanish
• Such additional qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Deaf Education or related field – Required
• Master’s degree in Deaf Education or related field - Preferred

Experience

• At least one year of Teacher of the Deaf experience- Preferred
• Previous experience as a parent advisor- Preferred

Other Requirements

WORKING/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
• Standard office equipment including computer and peripherals
• Exposure to biological hazards, bacteria, and communicable diseases.
• Will require districtwide travel and may require travel across the Region 4 RDSPD boundaries. 
• Frequent sitting, kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting
• Frequent walking, grasping/squeezing, wrist flexion/extension
• Regular light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds), occasional heavy lifting (45 pounds or more) and positioning of students with physical disabilities; controlling behavior through physical restraint; assisting non-ambulatory students