Inclusion Director

The Director of Inclusion provides specialized support, guidance, leadership, and safe quality interventions to individuals with disabilities throughout all YMCA programs and activities. This position coordinates all aspects of the Integration Initiative by working with YMCA staff and individuals with disabilities and their families in order to determine any supports and/or accommodations needed, as well as the most appropriate YMCA classes and programs that allow individuals with disabilities to participate in an integrated setting with typically developing peers successfully. Essential Functions Serves as the voice for the Hockomock YMCA Inclusion program in the communities that we serve Coordinates registration and facilitates family intake meeting while establishing a relationship and identifying programs and classes that offer the best opportunity for success Shares with program directors and direct service staff appropriate disclosure and/or special circumstances necessary for successful integration Develops and institutes creative new programs to meet the needs of the community with special needs Facilitates inclusive camps, including summer and school vacation camps Coordinates outside facilitators/trainers to provide informational training to staff and volunteers Continuously engages YMCA staff in the integration program through one on one trainings, volunteer opportunities, and monthly learning sessions on a monthly basis Recruits effective /appropriate volunteers to assist with integrated classes and coordinates a volunteer schedule for in-class assistance Facilitates ongoing outreach to both YMCA members and non-members from the Hockomock community on behalf of the Inclusion Initiative Communicates with outside agencies for research and training purposes Attends weekly branch staff meetings Supports participants by learning how to best accommodate their needs within the program, ensuring all is in place to promote their success, including not limited to: staff training/modeling, direct service/intervention, consulting with families or involved clinicians, developing aids such as story boards/cue cards Develops relationships with participants and their peers to encourage the participant with special needs to participate in activities, have fun learning the skills being taught, and socialize with the others Be aware of safety issues and if safety is in jeopardy at any time, resolving the safety issue first Collaborates with the Association leadership on Child Protection to raise awareness in our YMCA and communities about the unique risks for children and teens with special needs Works collaboratively with other colleagues in other branches to support and cover departmental responsibilities, in the event of vacation, sick, holiday, etc. Must have a Bachelor's Degree or higher Experience in therapeutic recreation, special education, adaptive physical education, psychology or related experience working with individuals with disabilities Working knowledge of different types of disabilities and common accommodations and modifications provided in a recreational setting Experience observing children in a group setting and successfully applying behavior management skills in a group setting Experience reading and interpreting IEP's Experience working with individuals with disabilities and their families and the demonstrated ability to communicate and provide support to individuals and their families Demonstrated interest and commitment to working with individuals with disabilities in the most integrated setting possible Experience with some type of intake process and the ability to navigate various disability service providers Ability to advise, communicate, and train staff on best practices for accommodating individuals with disabilities in various types of group settings Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to maintain and update electronic files Experience working with databases and generating reports, preferred Must become First Aid, CPR and AED certified Report of acceptable

CORI/SORI

(criminal record and sex offender record) checks Effective communication and relationship-building skills Sensitivity with confidential issues Demonstrated timely follow through Dependability, trustworthiness, focus, and good judgment Ability to provide a safe and fun experience for participants