Early Childhood Specialist

If you want to make a living by making a difference, join Acenda as an

Client Engagement Specialist

Job Title: Early Childhood Specialist

About Acenda Integrated Health 

Acenda Integrated Health provides 100+ behavioral health programs, including mental health services, crisis care, substance use recovery, family therapy, maternal and pediatric support, and residential programs across New Jersey. Our team enjoys competitive benefits, work-life balance, professional development, and team engaging events. Acenda is recognized as a multi-year Top Workplace by USA Today and The Inquirer and a Top Workplace Culture award winner for Work-Life Balance as well as Joint Commission accredited and certified by MHCA and the New Jersey Alliance for Children, Youth, and Families. Join #TeamAcenda and make a lasting impact. 

Job Overview 

An Early Childhood Specialist with Connecting NJ manages referrals from local DCP&P offices, engaging families to identify strengths and needs while providing education on early childhood development and linking them to community services. They promote developmental health by coordinating ASQ and ASQSE screenings, offering developmental coaching, and representing early childhood interests in case conferences and community meetings. Through advocacy and collaboration, they support infants, young children, and families to ensure healthy developmental outcomes and equitable access to resources.

Program Info 

We’re here for families – moms, dads, grandparents, and guardians. We provide a helping hand, ensuring that everyone can access information and support. We strive to provide families with the tools to raise healthy, happy kids, while also taking care of their own well-being.

Responsibilities:

• Work as part of Connecting NJ to manage all referrals from local DCP&P office(s). Explore strengths and need, elicit family’s voice, provide education about early childhood development, and facilitate service linkages.
• Attend all DCP&P Early Childhood/Plans of Safe Care case conferencing and other relevant community-based meetings.
• Promote developmental health- engage families in community spaces regarding early childhood social-emotional and physical development and developmental screening. Manage our statewide Family Access Portal (ASQ-3 developmental screening). 
• Promote the ASQ and ASQSE screenings to all referrals and to families in the community on a regular basis.
• Provide developmental coaching to all families who complete an ASQ or ASQSE screening.
• Be an advocate for infants and young children.
• Participate in Connecting NJ initiatives and workflows to support overall program reach

Requirements:

• Bachelors in Early Childhood Education or related field.
• Temporary coverage of other counties may be required when counterpart is unable to attend meetings or contact clients.
• Strong foundation in Infant and Early Childhood Health
• Knowledgeable of early childhood development
• Understands the importance of the parent-child relationship and how chronic stress, poverty and trauma affect the dyad
• Strong engagement skills, reflective and compassionate
• Knowledgeable of early childhood community based and clinical services

Additional Information:

• Hourly Rate: $19.74
• Sign-on Bonus: $500
• Schedule: Day (varied, some evenings and weekends)
• Bilingual Rate: You will receive an additional $1.50 added to the base rate if Spanish proficient

What we provide: 

• An Innovative culture that encourages you to grow and learn with the agency 

• Mission-driven core 

• Health, Vision and Dental coverage for you and your family 

• 401(k) with 100% employer match on the first 5% of comp 

• Generous time-off 

• Life Insurance 

• Flexible Spending Accounts 

• Employee Assistance Program 

• Year-end bonuses 

Acenda Integrated Health is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. 

Department/Program

Connecting NJ Preschool Development Grant (PDG)