ESIT Program Lead at Children's Therapy Center – Tacoma, Washington

Founded in 1979 by a group of dedicated, hands-on, and highly regarded pediatric therapists, Children’s Therapy Center is on a mission to maximize the potential of children with disabilities. We partner with families to celebrate where each child is today and work together toward who they can become. We offer family-centered early child developmental services including physical, occupational, and speech therapy, as well as play-based, child-led early childhood special education. For more than four decades, our commitment has endured through strong partnerships, thoughtful innovation, and care that centers each child and family.

Children’s Therapy Center’s is looking for a ESIT Program Lead for our Tacoma, WA location. The ESIT Program Lead ensures that Children’s Therapy Center’s Early Support Services comply with Part C and ESIT Contract regulations. They lead an ESIT Team including Family Resources Coordinators, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, Developmental Specialists & Associates, Infant Mental Health providers, and Program Assistants providing leadership, training, and coaching to facilitate access to early support services through the ESIT Program for families with children ages 0-3.

In this role, the ESIT Program Lead fosters teamwork and supports processes to ensure each family receives the necessary services and support to help their child reach their full potential, while ensuring overall program accountability within their assigned geographic team.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead and provide support for a multi-disciplinary team to conduct family-centered, strengths-based evaluations, consults and ongoing assessments and services.
• Understand support services and parent education on the wide range of children’s development across individual, cultural, and community differences.
• Ensure parents and caregivers are provided culturally relevant support in the home, natural environment, and/or via telehealth, utilizing a coaching model that promotes health, well-being, and development of the whole child.
• Develop strong professional relationships with team members to support relationship building with caregivers, community members and the multi-disciplinary ESIT team to meet family needs.
• Facilitate ESIT team meetings, staffing, in-services, and leadership coaching/consultation.
• Ensure that cultural, racial, linguistic, ethnic, and socio-economic diversity is incorporated into daily practices within the team, and services.
• Ensure compliance with Children’s Therapy Center’s, IDEA Part C’s processes, policies, and timelines.

Duties and Tasks:

• Lead, inspire, coach, and support ESIT team members working with families enrolled in CTC’s Early Support program.
• Support team members to reflect CTC’s values, approach, and high standards of service delivery.
• Create a positive and inclusive work environment that fosters team building, collaboration, respect, and trust, contributing to high team morale.
• Maintain a warm and welcoming atmosphere for all employees, families, and guests.
• Build team collaboration and cohesiveness that supports family engagement and smooth service delivery.
• Monitor FRC and service provider caseload expectations; provide coaching and necessary performance management support.
• Analyze service needs and submit hiring requests as appropriate to the ESIT Program Manager.
• Monitor and support intake and evaluation processes to ensure eligibility evaluations meet ESIT contract timeline requirements.
• Conduct regular audits for accurate and timely documentation using the state data management system, Raintree (EMR) and Smartsheet referral data to meet ESIT contract; provide necessary coaching and performance management support.
• Monitor and support timely data entry, late reasons, IFSP reviews, annual-reviews and transition conference scheduling to meet ESIT contract timeline requirements.
• Support team members in navigating complex family situations; provide primary support for escalated service concerns and/or complaints.
• At minimum, meet annually with local school district representatives to ensure a smooth transition from Part C to Part B and keep geographic ESIT Team and Managers updated with current contact details.
• Support team members in building knowledge and awareness of current CTC-internal program services and community resources in support of children and families in the ESIT program.
• Monitor and support ongoing service availability and facilitate appropriate coverage plans during planned and unplanned absences.
• Prepare and plan weekly, to ensure comprehensive, efficient and informative team meetings, with appropriate partners included.
• Communicate and ensure the implementation of program updates from DCYF, County Lead Agencies or ESIT Management.
• Assist with ESIT service needs when necessary by-way-of family-consult or team member coaching.
• Conduct monthly 1:1 meetings with all direct reports using check-in tools; provide performance coaching as needed.
• Ensure 90-day and annual professional development reviews are completed for all direct reports; support professional development.
• Approve timesheets, mileage, and mentor bonuses.
• Provide technical assistance with ESIT & CTC electronic systems.
• Lead hiring, onboarding, orientation, and performance processes for the assigned ESIT Team(s).
• Collaborate with management and peers to review and improve written procedures, internal processes, and best practices.
• Ensure staff understanding and adherence to organizational policies, program processes, and regulatory requirements.
• Attend and contribute to ESIT leadership meetings and other required leadership groups.
• Provide coverage for other ESIT Program Leads as needed.
• Other duties and special projects, as assigned.

Demonstrable experience and other qualifications:

• Strong communication skills, including the ability to convey thoughts and express ideas effectively using various oral, written, visual, and/or non-verbal skills.
• Effective listening skills, including the ability to recognize, comprehend and appreciate various perspectives and diverse points of view.
• Organized and detail oriented, with the ability to organize work to meet various commitments and responsibilities.
• Ability to anticipate potential challenges and adjust to changes as needed.
• Collaborative and participatory; serves as an active member of the team, inviting diverse perspectives to support organizational priorities and common goals.
• Demonstrates the ability to include, value, respect, and engage perspectives that cross-cultural backgrounds, lived experiences, and diverse points of view.
• Strong decision-making skills, including the ability to complete duties factoring appropriate or relevant details, considerations, and input from all individuals impacted.? ?
• Consciously and intentionally operates with self-awareness; consistently seeking opportunities to learn and grow in proactive and respectful ways.
• Demonstrated success in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment, with the ability to manage multiple priorities efficiently.
• Ability to rapport and provide strong support to employees and families, within program guidelines.
• Advanced computer skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Office and word processing; experience with EMR systems is preferred.
• Enthusiastic about contributing to a professional team dedicated to serving the needs of children and their families.
• Bilingual skills in English and Spanish are a plus.

Education and Experience:

• Must have or obtain a related healthcare license to practice in Washington State, and/or an ESIT Approved Credential.
• At least 3 years of ESIT or related experience (e.g., case management, direct-service provider), with at least 1-year leadership experience.

Licenses and/or Certifications:

• Valid CPR/First Aid card
• Valid driver’s license or reliable personal transportation

Job Details and Schedule:

• Caseload: No
• Schedule: 5 days; on-site 3 days per week (minimum) with flexibility to increase in-person presence based on the needs of the work and role. On-site participation is required for team meetings.
• Meetings: Participation in geographic site team meetings, Lead Business meetings, ELT Meetings, and Lead Workgroup meetings.
• Direct Reports: Providers, Family Resources Coordinators and Program Assistants of the assigned geographic team

What We Offer:

Children’s Therapy Center offers equitable, competitive pay based on job-related experience and education. The pay range for this position is $39.30-$59.66 hourly, depending on relevant background and qualifications.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes paid time off; medical, dental, and vision coverage; life insurance; and continuing education support for eligible employees. Employees may enroll in our retirement plan starting with their first paycheck, with employer contributions beginning after one year of service.

Children’s Therapy Center is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to hire candidates that reflect diverse backgrounds, beliefs and cultural histories. We continually seek to understand, acknowledge and appreciate our differences, engaging with an attitude of respectful curiosity, and a growth-mindset. We believe everyone has the right to be respected and valued. Consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, and our values, Children’s Therapy Center provides all employees and applicants with equal opportunity in all aspects of the employment relationship including consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, genetic information, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a disabled person.