Department of Family & Support Services Head Start Liaison

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 45,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. Aligned with our transformed philosophy, we are steadfastly focused on ensuring that the District provides resources equitably to support every student, every school, and every community. Six core values guide the work we do every day for our students – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. Each role in the district supports our vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experience.

The mission of the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) is to provide high-quality and specially designed instructional support and services for all diverse learners within their least restrictive environment. We work collaboratively with several units, specifically schools and Networks to improve the academic achievement of all diverse learners by ensuring diverse learners receive meaningful and relevant access to grade-level core instruction within their neighborhood school, school of choice, or the school closest to their residence.

Job Summary: 

Reporting to the  Director, CW Assessment & Assignment, the Department of Family & Support Services Head Start Liaison serves in a unique, specialized, grant-funded role established through a collaborative agreement between Chicago Public Schools (CPS), Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD), and the Chicago Department of Family & Support Services (DFSS) Children Services Division. This position is integral to supporting children with identified and suspected disabilities, their families, and Chicago community-based preschool program staff by providing technical assistance, in-person and virtual professional development training, and liaison services. This is a full-time, exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.

The Department of Family Services (DFSS) Head Start Liaison will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Notify Department of Family Support Services Disabilities Service Coordinator (DSC) of upcoming CPS evaluations, assist with scheduling, and support families and agencies during remote or virtual evaluation appointments. Respond to agency and family inquiries regarding student referral, evaluation, and enrollment status using CPS and DFSS databases.
• Troubleshoot access issues and coordinate services across CPS departments (School Assignment, Case Management, Transportation), DFSS, Child & Family Connections (CFCs), and families to ensure timely and appropriate support.
• Meet with administrators, teachers, and families to discuss findings, and provide written summaries with recommendations. Support families in understanding evaluation outcomes, navigating CPS and DFSS processes, and accessing IEP or IFSP services within required timelines. Conduct child and classroom observations with parental consent.
• Review and assist in submitting high-quality CPS referral packets, providing feedback and technical guidance on next steps, including referrals to external providers when needed.
• Assist with the preparation and submission of the annual Disabilities Enrollment Waiver request. Collaborate with DSCs to address barriers to service access, including enrollment, transportation, and ESY/summer programming. 
• Serve as a primary liaison among Chicago Public Schools (OSD), the Chicago Department of Family & Support Services (DFSS), delegate agencies, school staff, and families to support the referral, evaluation, and service-delivery process for children with disabilities.
• Provide training on CPS referral procedures, developmental screening tools (ESI-3, ASQ:SE-2), positive behavior strategies, and other early childhood and disabilities topics. Participate in Screening Review Team (SRT) meetings to model effective communication with families.
• Monitor and use systems such as IMPACT, ASPEN, and COPA to maintain accurate, up-to-date information on children’s referral and service status.
• Participate in DFSS Disabilities Data Clinics, reviewing agency-specific data on screenings, referrals, evaluations, and services with SSCs and delegate agencies.
• Other duties as assigned

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Department of Family & Support Services (DFSS) Head Start Liaison must possess the following qualifications: 

Education Required: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) or a related field required 

• Master’s degree is preferred

• PEL with LBS1 or ECSE endorsement preferred

Experience Required: 

• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional work experience supporting programs and/or case management for young children with disabilities, ideally within community-based or educational settings

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience directly engaging with families of young children with disabilities

• Experience supporting DFSS or other Community Based Organizations (CBO) programming and partnership is strongly preferred

Other Requirements:

• Ability to travel to multiple locations in the same work day

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Comprehensive understanding of special education law (including IDEA), referral and IEP procedures, early intervention processes, and early childhood education policies

• Ability to become quickly proficient with Head Start and Preschool guidelines and CPS early childhood education programs 

• Strong team player who has an ability to communicate and collaborate with multiple stakeholders in the community, CPS, and Head Start

• Demonstrates knowledge of regulations and procedures stipulated in IDEA as well as knowledge of special education strategies

• Demonstrates knowledge of referral, evaluation, eligibility determinations and placement considerations

• Proficient computer skills (Google, SSM, Aspen) 

• Strong interpersonal and verbal/written communication skills

Benefits:

Health & Wellness: Your Care, Your Choice

CPS is committed to providing comprehensive health coverage to our employees and their eligible dependents. You'll have access to a variety of choices to best fit your needs:

Medical Plan Options

Pharmacy

Dental

Vision

Behavioral Health & EAP

Employee Wellness Program

Financial Security: Planning for Today and Tomorrow

We understand the importance of financial stability, which is why CPS offers strong retirement and savings options:

Basic Life Insurance

Life and Disability Insurance

Pension Plans

Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Spot Pet Insurance

Work-Life Balance: Supporting Your Personal and Professional Life

CPS values the well-being of its employees and offers competitive paid time off policies:

Paid Leave

Sick Leave

Vacation Days

Parental Leaves

Short-Term Disability

Religious Holidays

Leaves

Reference theChicago Public Schools: A Comprehensive Benefits Overviewor thebenefits handbookfor comprehensive details.

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions; however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.