Community Action: Head Start and Early Learning Programs

Currently open to summer 22 interns only

Community Action
Head Start & Early Learning Programs

Website: communityaction.us

Position:        Disabilities Intern
Hours:            TBD
Location:        Various site options in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin County
Status:            Exempt
Supervisor:    Director of Child and Family Support Services

Position Summary

We are seeking an intern who is interested in learning more about the inclusion of children with disabilities in preschool settings, exploring modifications and accommodations that will increase classroom inclusiveness, and assisting families in accessing resources for children with disabilities. The intern will be exposed to the collaborative nature involved with helping children with disabilities, interacting with a wide variety of individuals, including teachers, education supervisors, families, and outside providers (e.g., early intervention, local education agency).

The intern will be supervised by the Director of Child and Family Support Services and mentored by the Developmental Specialist for Disabilities (DS). The intern will work alongside the Developmental Specialist, who performs a consultative role with classroom teams and families at our sites in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties.  The intern will get the opportunity to assist the DS, spending a good portion of time supporting the educational staff in the classroom to oversee the effective and meaningful inclusion of all children.

Responsibilities will vary from week to week to week; the intern and the DS will make a weekly plan to assist with classroom consultations, data entry, research, and creating resource materials:

  • Classroom consultation: The intern will assist with completing child observations and attending case consultation meetings
  • Data entry: The intern will assist with gathering IEP/IFSP documents, entering information in our database, and assisting with other administrative tasks
  • Resource materials: The intern will help with researching resource materials for educators and creating resource materials

Essential Qualifications

This internship is most appropriate for a student interested in the areas of developmental psychology, early childhood education (specifically in inclusive settings), social work, or special education.  Must have commitment to working with very young at-risk children and their families in strength based, collaborative, and diversity informed ways.  If you are interested in the internship, please send your cover letter and resume to Marianne Bouthilette, the Director of Child and Family Support Services (MBouthilette@communityaction.us).

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions: The employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, talk, use a keyboard and climb stairs. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. The employee must have the ability to drive a personal vehicle and program vehicles, as needed. The noise level in the office is usually quiet, but can be loud in classrooms. The work environment is primarily an indoor office environment, with occasional exposure to outdoor weather.

This list of responsibilities is not meant to be all-inclusive and may be adjusted to meet the operational needs of the agency. Employment is contingent upon the following: a satisfactory Background Record Check (BRC) which includes Criminal Offender Record (C.O.R.I.), Department of Children and Families (DCF) background check and effective September 1, 2013 a Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) and fingerprinting-based national and state criminal history check.  BRC and fingerprinting-based national and state criminal history check is to be completed every three years. In addition, employment is contingent on evidence of physical exam within the past year, plus verification of MMRs.  Documentation of subsequent physical exams must be submitted exam every 2 years.

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