The mission of The Foundation Schools is to provide a highly specialized educational and therapeutic program for students with autism, emotional and other disabilities, social emotional and learning challenges, preparing them to be productive and successful in their future academic and career paths.

For over 40 years, The Foundation Schools’ mix of academic support and therapeutic services has given our students a chance to reach their full potential. The Foundation Schools is currently approved by the State of Maryland and the District of Columbia to provide services to students who have not been successful in their home school’s environment. The Foundation Schools has schools in Landover, Rockville, Gaithersburg and Largo, Maryland that serve over 200 students in grades K-12.

Our Core Values’ provide a strong foundation for our programs, are integrated into our positive behavior intervention system, drive our actions and guide our staff and students daily to TWIRL (Teamwork, Work Ethic, Integrity, Respect, and Leadership). We offer a supportive working environment with small class sizes and excellent resources.

The Foundation Schools offers a comprehensive benefit package including tuition assistance and a generous retirement package. Visit our website at [www.foundationschools.org](http://www.foundationschools.org) for more information.

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The Admissions Coordinators review referrals, assess appropriateness for admission, and facilitate the enrollment for accepted students. The Admissions Coordinator will be a liaison to LEA representatives and other referral sources. They complete the required admissions paperwork, and communicate relevant student information to staff prior to enrollment. They maintain statistical data relating to referrals, admissions, and discharges. They utilize statistical data to identify and target potential referral sources to increase awareness of The Foundation Schools and to increase enrollment.

*Education, Experience and Certification Requirements*

* Master’s degree in special education, social work, psychology, counseling, applied behavior analysis, psychiatric nursing or another related field is required

* Current Maryland clinical license or a current MSDE certification or eligibility for MSDE certification is preferred

* Three or more years of successful clinical or special education experience in the field of autism is required

* Knowledge of current DSM and IDEA, and their specific applications to educating students with special education needs, with autism emotional and other disabilities

* Bilingual (Spanish/English) abilities are a plus

*Physical, Interpersonal and Cognitive Requirements*

* Utilize basic office equipment such as computer, tablet, telephone, fax, copier, etc.

* Complete reports and data input while using a variety of computer programs

* Move and carry supplies; light lifting, non-repetitive

* Maintain a professional demeanor and relationship with students, colleagues, families, and community partners

* Work positively and collaboratively with others

* Maintain a professional work ethic and meet the standards of professionalism including appropriate attire, attendance, and timeliness

* Demonstrate effective time management and organization skills

* Prioritize & plan work activities

* Use time and resources efficiently, set realistic action plans and goals

* Speak clearly and be understood by others

* Read and express thoughts in a written format

* Possess and demonstrate a high level of mental and emotional balance

* Respond quickly and tactfully to crisis situations while using critical thinking to assess problems

* Work with minimum supervision and meet deadlines

* Physically restrain or assist in student restraints

* Possess sufficient mobility to provide program support and manage student behaviors

*ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS *

* Serve as first point of contact for prospective students, their families, and other referral sources, and respond to inquiries in a timely fashion

* Act as a liaison to local educational agencies and other referral sources by maintaining positive relationships to facilitate referrals

* Review the documents included in the referral packet to assess the ability to implement the IEP and to collect the relevant information to complete the Initial Evaluation Form

* Schedule and conduct admission interviews with potential students and their families/guardians; review program expectations and conduct program tours

* Determine appropriateness for enrollment, based on the review of the referral packet, the IEP and the admissions interview; consult with the management team as necessary

* Demonstrate the ability to quickly build rapport with potential students and their families/guardians to be able to assess appropriateness for enrollment

* Distribute appropriate documents to prospective students to include enrollment packet, school calendar, parent handbook, and acceptance letter to accepted students

* Ensure the referral packet contains the required documentation to complete the enrollment process; request any missing documentation and record on the Missing Documentation Log to ensure compliance

* Complete necessary documentation (Intake Checklist, datasheet, new students pending list, denial log, etc.), and communicate decision to the referral source and parents/guardians

* Maintain student statistical data relating to referrals, admissions, and discharges; complete and distribute periodic reports on admissions activity

* Use statistical data to identify and contact potential referral sources to increase awareness of The Foundation Schools and to increase enrollment

* Actively support the school program when the referral process is slow as assigned by the principal

* Demonstrate an understanding of all compliance related documents required to complete a student record upon enrollment

* Demonstrate an understanding of how our students’ disabilities impact their behavior and ability to learn; display knowledge of students’ diagnoses and adapt intervention strategies accordingly to meet the requirements of the students’ IEPs and BIPs

* Effectively manage student behavior through the implementation of the behavior management system, school rules, policies, and procedures; model appropriate behavior for the students during the school day

* Proactively provide supervision of students to ensure the safety and security of the school program at all times

* Maintain student confidentiality in accordance with The Foundation Schools Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest Statement and student record confidentiality procedures

* Proactively identify behaviors among all students that could lead to a crisis, an unsafe situation or disrupt the learning environment; use effective behavior management techniques to address these behaviors in order to limit the severity and length of disruptions

* Demonstrate appropriate use of verbal de-escalation skills to manage student behaviors; utilize the behavior continuum in order to use or consider the use of the least restrictive behavioral interventions necessary; use effective, appropriate, and approved strategies during a crisis including the participation in seclusions, therapeutic holds, escorts, and student restraints when necessary; consistently, and appropriately utilize and model TACT 2 techniques or classroom behavior management strategies

* Work with teachers, therapists, school leaders, and other team members to determine the student and/or classroom needs, and adjust interventions and practices to best meet those needs; work with team to develop interventions and/or incentive plans when appropriate

* Actively participate in committees, meetings, supervision, and professional development activities

* Consistently model and implement the organization’s core values to drive actions and to guide our students to incorporate Teamwork, Work Ethic, Integrity, Respect, and Leadership into positive behaviors

* Comply with all of The Foundation Schools’ policies, rules, protocols and procedures

*Additional Duties as assigned**:*

Admissions Coordinators may be required to perform some of the following duties based on their prior experience and/or licensure

Act as Program Therapist and provide therapy and case management for students (see Program Therapist job description)
Complete administrative tasks related to the documentation and maintenance of the students’ IEP data or to ensure school remains compliant with all regulations (see IEP Specialist job description)
Complete FBAs and BIPs
Assist other programs with admissions