At Wayfinder Family Services, we understand the unique challenges facing some of our state’s most vulnerable children, youth and adults. Those with disabilities, those without a home of their own, those who have been abused and many, many more. We answer the call for them. We believe in the amazing potential in, and for, each and every one of them. And, together, we find a way to turn that potential into reality.  

Program and Role Summary

Wayfinder’s Child Development Services provides early intervention in person to children from birth to age 6 with visual impairment or multiple disabilities. Young children maximize any vision they have and reduce developmental delays. Parents learn to provide their child with therapeutic stimulation and advocate for their child’s education and care. Child development reduces the need for special education and increases independence for children with disabilities.

The primary focus on the Child Development Specialist, is to provide occupational therapy services under the supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist (OT), to children from birth to three years of age to support and promote skills needed for daily living and participation in the environment. You’ll work with students who may have developmental delays, disabilities, or other challenges that affect their ability to participate in age-appropriate activities or learning.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide direct intervention in the child's natural environment-usually in the home. Coordinate scheduling to meet the needs of the family, ensuring weekly visits are met as authorized by the Regional Center. 
• Provide appropriate intervention to children birth through three years of age that exhibit severe motor delays with atypical or scattered skills or atypical tone, several global delays, moderate to severe feeding delays or disorders, feeding delays or disorders associated with secondary issue (reflux, sensory issues, etc., severe sensory challenges and/or vision loss.
• Provide comprehensive case management services to assist children with delays or disabilities and their families in gaining access to needed medical, social, educational, developmental, and other appropriate services at the frequency determined by program expectations.
• Participates in the development and implementation of each child’s Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) in collaboration with the family and education team, providing progress reports as required by each Regional Center or Local Education Agency.
• Works with families to develop a curriculum appropriate for the unique learning needs of their child with vision impairment and/or multiple disabilities within natural daily routines. 
• Collaborate with other providers, such as speech-language pathologists, physical therapists, developmental specialists, and educators to ensure comprehensive care.
• Frequent driving is required throughout Los Angeles County.
• Other duties as outlined in the position description.