Inclusion and Parenting Support Specialist

The Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan (MMJCCM) is dedicated to building a vibrant, inclusive, and compassionate community. We believe that diversity is a strength-and we are committed to creating spaces where individuals of all abilities feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.

We are seeking a warm, collaborative, and experienced Inclusion + Family Support Specialist to support children, families, and educators across the Children + Families department. Children + Families (C+F) at the JCC encompasses our Nursery School, Camps, Center for Family Life, and Tween and Teen programs. This role will work closely with the Center for Diverse Abilities (CDA) to ensure seamless transitions and consistent support throughout a child's growth at the JCC. The anticipated distribution of responsibilities is approximately: Nursery School 60%, Youth Programs 20%, and Camps 20%.

The person best suited for this role is a compassionate clinician and educator who thrives in collaborative environments. You bring deep experience working with children with a range of developmental needs and are committed to building trusting, empowering relationships with families. You understand that inclusion is not only a set of practices-it's a mindset. You're adaptable, proactive, warm, and ready to be a key driver in shaping an inclusive future at the JCC.

Approximately 30% of children in our early childhood and youth programs have diverse abilities, including developmental delays, neurodivergence, physical disabilities, and communication challenges. To ensure that every child and family is fully seen, supported, and celebrated, we are growing our efforts to embed inclusive practices across our school and children's programming.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with families to understand their child's needs and navigate resources both within and beyond the JCC. Offer consultations, guidance, and referrals to appropriate support services and provide regular communication with families about progress, updates, and next steps for their children.
• Observe children in classroom and community settings and develop support plans in collaboration with educators and families. Provide individualized and small group support to children using push-in and pull-out models across nursery school, camp, and children's programs. Design and implement classroom-based interventions, modifications and accommodations.
• Create and maintain developmental profiles for students receiving support. Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and offer written observations and goal summaries. Observations. Create an internal organizational system to document progress, share information with families and ensure continuity of care throughout the JCC
• Work closely with the C+F and CDA team to build pathways that ensure continuity of support from early childhood through adolescence. Help shape inclusive program policies, practices, and culture across Children + Families programs.
• Coordinate and collaborate with external service providers and therapists. Contribute to organizational inclusion initiatives and represent inclusive education values in the wider community.
• Coach and mentor educators and instructors on inclusive practices, differentiation strategies, and accessibility. Lead professional development sessions across Children + Families programming.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Speech and Language Pathology, Special Education, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of direct experience in social work, mental health counseling, psychology, early intervention, or direct support services.
• Strong knowledge of learning differences, early intervention practices, and developmental assessments.
• Experience partnering with parents to support children's development and ensure cohesion between home and program settings.
• Experience with the New York City evaluation and support services landscape.
• Experience with differentiated instruction and inclusive practices in both classroom and community-based settings.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills and demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and diversity in educational and family systems.

Any job offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.