Job Description

At The Centers, meaningful work is grounded in a culture where people feel valued. As a 2026 USA TODAY Top Workplaces winner, the organization is nationally recognized, based entirely on employee feedback, for trust, purpose, and care. This Assistant Special Services position plays an important role in advancing our mission and supporting the communities we serve.

The Special Service Assistant assists with providing supportive services and resources for early learning staff and parents regarding children with special needs. The assistant coordinates with families and doctors to complete healthcare plans for children with special health conditions.

Job Qualifications
• Assistant I: Aa minimum of an associate degree in a related field; or
• Assistant II: Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• A minimum of two years’ experience working with children and families.
• Experience with online data tracking systems preferred.
• Valid Driver’s License, with proof of valid insurance required.
• No record of child abuse or moral turpitude as determined by background check based on fingerprints.

Job Duties & Responsibilities
• Provide technical assistance through child observations, teacher consultation, screening reviews, and intervention plans.
• Communicates effectively and work collaboratively with Special Services team, staff, and families regarding special needs and/or concerns for the purpose of referring children to outside community agencies for supportive services.
• Performs record keeping and work duties under strict confidentiality (e.g. scheduling, copying, faxing, etc.).
• Provide technical assistance to parents/staff during team meetings for children with special needs.
• Monitor children from identifying needs to conclusion of referral and transition from program.
• Network with area providers to facilitate exchange of information on screening procedures, referrals for service, and availability for training/technical assistance, while maintaining HIPPA and PHI privacy laws.
• Schedule and attend Home Visits with families as needed.
• Attend training, workshops, and meetings related to program performances.
• Maintain and monitor referrals, screening timelines, observations, and child plans to support the child’s needs utilizing the agency data tracking system on a monthly basis.
• Completion of child’s speech/language screenings for preschool children, as needed according to concerns in ChildPlus.
• Attend and participate in any team meetings, staff meetings and/or workshops deemed necessary by job requirements and/or component Coordinators.

Upon Hire
• Certification in CPR/First Aid, Communicable Disease, Child Abuse, and Neglect Prevention is required upon hire.

About The Centers
The Centers provide health, family, and workforce services at 11 locations throughout Greater Cleveland, creating life-changing solutions for people to lead healthier and more successful lives. We strive to be a service-oriented workplace that pioneers and co-creates solutions while fostering belonging in a community where our team members thrive.

Our Early Learning Centers and programs provides high-quality care for children during the critical first 2,000 days of life by operating seven high-quality early learning centers, serving children birth through five years old, in Cleveland and the inner-ring suburbs. Because of our high standards, all sites achieved a 5-Star rating on the Step-Up-To-Quality Rating and been recognized and selected to be part of Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) and PRE4CLE.

Wellbeing and Benefits
Providing quality benefits to our staff is important to us. Just as important is our staff’s well-being. That’s why we offer a number of choices to meet the different needs of our staff.

• Choice of medical and dental plans
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Account for Health and Dependent Care
• Vision
• Support for continuing education and credential renewal
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Savings (401k) with a company contribution
• Mental Health Support
• Employee Assistance Program
• Calm Subscription
• Short and Longterm Disability

The Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.