Quality, Safety, & Compliance Coordinator - Directly Operated Programs

Description

At Easterseals of Chicagoland and Greater Rockford, we are committed to two – often interconnecting - pillars of work……early learning and disability. Through these pillars, we transform the lives of early learners and individuals of all abilities through access to expert educational, family, and community support. As an affiliate of America’s largest nonprofit health care organization, we have proudly served the communities and families of Chicagoland and Greater Rockford since 1936.

For more information about our organization, please visit us online at www.eastersealschicago.org.

The Quality, Safety, & Compliance Coordinator supports the implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of Easterseals and Head Start/Early Head Start policies, procedures, service plans, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

The Quality, Safety, & Compliance Coordinator provides monitoring, technical assistance, training, and content-area support to center and program staff to promote safe, high-quality environments and compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS), the Head Start Act, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) licensing requirements, Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) requirements, and other applicable regulations and organizational standards.

The position supports center and program leadership in identifying compliance trends, strengthening systems and practices, addressing identified concerns, and implementing continuous quality improvement strategies.

This position is located at Easterseals Chicago Location at 1939 W 13th Street, Chicago, IL 60608.

MAJOR FUNCTIONS/ACCOUNTABILITIES

Planning and Program Services

• Assist with the development, implementation, and monitoring of systems that promote active supervision and ensure the safety of all children, including practices that prevent children from being left alone or unsupervised.
• Provide technical assistance, coaching, training, and content-area support to center and program staff regarding health, safety, compliance, quality improvement, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with center and program staff to review transcripts, Gateways credentials, qualifications, and required documentation to support compliance with Head Start/Early Head Start, Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), and other applicable requirements.
• Monitor and track required staff documentation and HR file components to support compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS), the Head Start Act, DCFS licensing requirements, and other applicable regulations.
• Assist with the development, implementation, and monitoring of systems for ongoing review of ChildPlus and Program Information Report (PIR) data to ensure information is accurate, complete, and timely.
• Coordinate and monitor partner compliance documentation, including licenses, liability insurance, Excelerate Illinois Circles of Quality, National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation, and applicable contracts, ensuring requirements remain current.

Ongoing Monitoring and Compliance

• Conduct regularly scheduled site assessments and monitoring activities to assess compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS), DCFS licensing requirements, health and safety standards, organizational policies, and other applicable regulations.
• Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of active supervision, health, safety, and compliance systems; provide feedback and technical assistance to support continuous improvement.
• Monitor quality improvement goals and key performance indicators (KPIs), analyze data and trends, and communicate findings, strengths, and areas of concern to program leadership.
• Participate in the ongoing program self-assessment process, including the collection,  review, and analysis of data and documentation.
• Document monitoring findings and support program and center leadership with the development, implementation, and follow-up of corrective actions and Continuous Quality Improvement Plans (CQIPs).

Recordkeeping, Reporting, and Communication

• Support the review, tracking, and completion of Program Information Report (PIR) data and the annual PIR reporting process.
• Maintain accurate monitoring records, reports, assessments, and compliance documentation in accordance with organizational requirements.
• Prepare and communicate reports and summaries regarding monitoring results, compliance trends, quality improvement activities, and recommendations to appropriate program leadership.
• Facilitate and/or participate in regularly scheduled content-area, team, center, and other program meetings.
• Communicate regulatory updates, monitoring trends, identified concerns, and quality improvement opportunities to appropriate staff and leadership.

Requirements

Education/Certification

• Associate degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Human Services, or a related field required; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Relevant early childhood credentials, certifications, or professional development preferred.

Experience Required

• Experience working in Head Start, Early Head Start, Prevention Initiative, Preschool for All, or other early childhood programs preferred.
• Experience with quality improvement, compliance monitoring, health and safety, licensing, program assessment, or related early childhood systems preferred.
• Supervisory, coaching, technical assistance, or childcare administration experience preferred.

Vehicle/Transportation Requirements

• Valid driver’s license.
• Current automobile insurance.
• Reliable transportation and ability to travel between program sites, partner locations, and other designated locations as required.

Skills/Abilities

• Ability to communicate clearly, professionally, and respectfully, both orally and in writing, with individuals and groups at all levels of the organization,  childcare partner centers, community agencies, and funding sources.
• Ability to facilitate difficult conversations using reflective, respectful, strengths-based, and solutions-focused approaches while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Ability to utilize conflict-resolution strategies and support staff and program leaders in addressing concerns collaboratively and constructively.
• Ability to balance relationship-building, technical assistance, and support with appropriate monitoring, accountability, and compliance expectations.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and maintain professionalism when working with diverse personalities, competing priorities, organizational change, and challenging situations.
• Ability to facilitate group discussions and processes that encourage reflection, active listening, collaboration, problem-solving, and solutions-oriented thinking.
• Ability to promote a positive organizational culture and climate by modeling professionalism, respect, confidentiality, ethical practices, and appropriate workplace boundaries.
• Ability to support staff and program sites experiencing change, challenges, or performance concerns while maintaining a strengths-based and continuous improvement approach.
• Ability to safeguard confidential information related to children, families, staff, and program operations and exercise appropriate discretion regarding the sharing of information.
• Ability to identify concerns, analyze information, take initiative, and contribute to practical solutions that support compliance, quality, safety, and program improvement.
• Ability to receive and apply feedback, demonstrate flexibility, embrace change, and continuously develop professional knowledge and skills.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development, including completion of required training and maintaining current knowledge of applicable regulations, standards, and best practices. 

ADA: Easterseals will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disability Act of 1990. Unless exempted by the Americans with Disabilities Act, all persons hired for this position are required to possess the ability to perform the physical tasks necessary to treat clients, i.e., bending, floor-sitting, etc., as well as to have the ability to lift up to 50 pounds frequently.

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