The Big Adventures of Lil' Johnny: Job Search Update #2

Well, after two weeks of interviews, I have accepted a job with Easter Seals Nevada. Easter Seals is a national non-profit organization that assists people with disabilities. My job as a developmental specialist (as I understand it now) in the early intervention program (ages 0-3) is a combination of support coordinator and parent trainer. I will have a case load and will visit those families addressing IFSP goals with the families. In addition, I will coordinate with the other therapists to ensure goals are being met, troubleshooted (is that a word?), and changed appropriately. I will spend a lot of time in contact with the other people on the case, and help the families with transitioning out of the EI program and into the school districts. I am sure that my understanding of the position will evolve once I start.

I have mixed emotions about this. As for the job itself, I am really excited. It's close enough to what I was doing before, and uses many of the same skills I learned at SARRC, to go in with confidence both about my performance as well as liking the job. At the same time, it is different enough for me to learn new skills, new state processes, and discover if it's something I really enjoy doing. I really liked both supervisors I spoke with during interviews, and know a co-worker from the book club I am in.
I am thrilled to be working again. Financially, it will allow our family to do more, see more, have more. Mentally, it will allow me to speak with people older than 3 months old during the day, and continue to grow in a field I have come to love.
It does mean, however, that Leah will be attending daycare during the day. Brian and I did the leg work for this (thank goodness) during July and August, as we knew the day would come when I would return to work. We found the Green Valley Christian School and enrolled Leah there yesterday (pretty much within an hour after I accepted the job- I was so scared the spot would just disappear!). I'm very pleased with all my interactions with the staff, with the classrooms, location, etc. It's just that my baby will be with someone else all day... It will be good for both of us, and I'm sure much harder on me than on her. And of course today she started this "I only want my mommy" cry when someone else was holding her. Thanks for making this easier, kid.

I'll update you again once I start (February 18th). For now, we celebrate and Leah and I enjoy our last few weeks at home together!