Program Director of Early Intervention Services

Program Director of Early Intervention Services

Department: Early Intervention (Ages 0–5)
Reports To: Executive Director of Clinical Services
FLSA Status: Exempt
Employment Type: Full-Time, Salaried

Our Mission

At Abundant Life Family Services (ALFS), our mission is to provide compassionate, evidence-based behavioral health and developmental services to children and families. We are committed to supporting the growth and well-being of every individual through culturally responsive, family-centered care. Our team values integrity, collaboration, and excellence in all we do.

Position Summary

The Program Director of Early Intervention Services provides strategic and operational leadership for ALFS’s birth-to-three (0–3) and preschool (3–5) Early Intervention programs. This role oversees the coordination, compliance, and quality of developmental and behavioral services delivered in home, school, and community settings.

The Program Director ensures adherence to applicable federal, state, and county requirements; supports program growth; supervises Early Intervention Coordinators/Behavioral Health Coordinators and related support staff; and collaborates with families, local education agencies (LEAs), and internal departments to maintain clinical excellence and accessible services.

This is a hands-on leadership position that combines office responsibilities with direct field engagement. The Program Director must provide on-site field supervision at least one day per week, rotating service locations weekly to support quality and continuity of care.

Key Responsibilities

Service Coordination: Birth-to-Three and Preschool Programs

• Manage daily coordination of Early Intervention services, including scheduling, service logging, and support for Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
• Maintain regular communication with providers, families, LEAs, and county staff to ensure services align with each child’s plan.
• Ensure documentation is accurate, complete, and submitted within required state and county timelines.
• Track caseload coverage, monitor staff utilization, and address service gaps.
• Maintain current knowledge of child outcome reporting and county requirements.
• Support intake processes and coordinate initial service delivery.
• Monitor assigned providers’ credentialing requirements and Relias training compliance.
• Collaborate with families and external partners to promote high-quality, family-centered care.

Program Oversight and Development

• Provide leadership and direction for all aspects of the 0–3 and 3–5 Early Intervention programs.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate program policies, workflows, and strategic goals.
• Monitor service trends, identify unmet needs, and recommend improvements to service delivery and outreach.
• Ensure programming aligns with IFSP/IEP requirements and applicable Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C and Part B requirements.
• Oversee Early Childhood Education (ECE) classroom support, including Lead and Assistant Teachers, to ensure appropriate staffing, coordinated services, and alignment with developmental and behavioral goals.
• Provide ongoing oversight of ECE partnerships to maintain service quality.
• Support departmental growth through innovation, strategic planning, and continuous program development.

Supervision and Staff Management

• Supervise and support Early Intervention Coordinators/Behavioral Health Coordinators serving both age groups, along with related administrative support staff.
• Conduct regular supervision, performance reviews, and professional development planning for direct reports in collaboration with Human Resources.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and training of new Early Intervention personnel.
• Partner with Human Resources and program coordinators to address staffing needs, employee performance, disciplinary matters, and scheduling concerns.
• Provide routine field supervision and site visits to assess service delivery, support staff, and address concerns.

Compliance and Quality Assurance

• Ensure session notes, IFSP/IEP data, service logs, and other required records meet quality standards and submission deadlines.
• Conduct internal audits and clinical record reviews consistent with county and state expectations.
• Stay current on Early Intervention regulations and communicate relevant changes to staff.
• Complete and maintain compliance reports for both programs, including staff credentialing and Relias training status.

Family and Community Engagement

• Serve as a liaison among families, providers, and LEAs to support clear communication, collaboration, and family satisfaction.
• Assist families with concerns escalated by program coordinators.
• Promote culturally responsive, family-centered practices throughout the department.
• Represent ALFS at county meetings, LEA partnership discussions, and community events.

Billing and Operations

• Partner with administrative and finance staff to ensure timely, accurate submission of billing documentation.
• Collaborate with the Operations Director, executive clinical leadership, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Executive Officer on contract compliance, reimbursement audits, and funding alignment, as needed.
• Use internal systems, including HCSIS, Sprout, and Relias, to monitor staff activity, service delivery, documentation, and training compliance.
• Prepare and review utilization, census, available case, payroll, and other operational reports.
• Collaborate with Billing, Human Resources, and Information Technology, including through Zendesk, to resolve operational issues and support efficient service delivery.
• Participate in departmental meetings and leadership discussions as required.

Crisis and Conflict Management

• Lead the resolution of service disruptions, escalated family concerns, and urgent compliance issues in collaboration with senior leadership.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

• Ensure services and departmental practices are culturally responsive, inclusive, and respectful of the diverse children, families, and communities ALFS serves.

Professional Development

• Participate in continuing education to remain current on Early Intervention best practices, regulatory requirements, and leadership strategies.
• Promote ongoing learning, staff development, and continuous improvement across the department.

Performance Incentives

This position is eligible for departmental performance-based bonuses, contingent upon achievement of established program growth, compliance, service delivery, and quality assurance benchmarks.

The Program Director is also eligible for annual merit increases based on performance review outcomes and organizational benchmarks.

Qualifications

• Required Education: Master’s degree in Psychology, Education, Social Work, or a related field.
• Preferred Credentials: Pennsylvania licensure or certification, such as LBS, LSW, LPC, LCSW, or Pennsylvania Instructional I/II Teaching Certification.
• Early Intervention Experience: Three to five years of experience in Early Intervention or pediatric behavioral services.
• Leadership Experience: Five to seven years of supervisory or leadership experience in a clinical, educational, or program setting.
• Thorough knowledge of IDEA, Early Intervention practices, and Pennsylvania’s Early Intervention service structure.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency with electronic documentation and data systems, including HCSIS, Sprout, Relias, and Google Drive.
• Participation in EITA, Jefferson’s Early Intervention Training Program, or equivalent professional training.

Work Conditions and Expectations

• Perform a combination of in-office and field-based work in home, school, and community settings.
• Provide on-site field supervision at least one day per week, with service locations rotated weekly.
• Maintain a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for required travel.
• Attend occasional evening or weekend Early Intervention events and county meetings.