POSITION SUMMARY:

The Therapeutic Early Learning Specialist (TELCap) is responsible for providing additional therapeutic services to early learning providers, children and families through an infant early childhood mental health (IECMH) lens. They will support ECEAP/Head Start and Early ECEAP/Early HS providers, other Early Care and Education Providers, children and their families to build relational health. This role will support all important caregivers in a child’s life by building the skills to create and sustain safe and supportive environments that foster the development of healthy and secure relationships, and overall child well-being. The TELCAP Specialist will provide a broad range of services, including levels of IECMH consultation in classrooms and through home visits; training and coaching staff; reflective practice for early learning providers; screening, assessment, and referral services for children and families; and providing family/caregiver trainings (all of which may be provided in-person and/or virtually). The TELCAP Specialist will also collect data, maintain records, and support compliance in all facets of ECEAP and Early ECEAP Performance Standards and state regulations. This position has access to protected healthcare information (PHI) or confidential identifiable information (CII), both paper and electronic, as necessary, to perform related job duties and responsibilities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Child, Family, and Provider-Centered Services:

• Partners with all child caregivers and the multidisciplinary team in the screening, assessment, and referral process to inform the creation and collaboration of an Individual Care Plan (ICP) as well as progress reviews
• Through classroom observations assists providers in the identification of behavioral or emotional needs of young children using a strengths-based approach using written and oral feedback
• Helps providers understand the effects of stress and trauma on families and consider all levels of influence to support young children and their caregivers
• Uses a team approach to collaborate with childcare staff, directors, families, and multidisciplinary teams to generate suggestions and trauma informed strategies to promote optimal mental health in all children
• Engages in relationship-based work that supports healthy caregiver-child attachment relationships and encourage responsive, nurturing learning environments
• Provides reflective practice and consultation services
• Builds capacity of all child caregivers to meet the needs of children experiencing challenging behavior
• Conducts standardized developmental, behavioral, social-emotional, or other mental health assessments for children or their caregivers as assigned or referred for services
• Collaborates with Child and Family Specialist(s) and Mentor Teacher(s) to ensure all family, provider, and program needs and goals are being addressed and met
• May provide brief therapy to a family if an immediate opening for behavioral services are not available

Other Duties as Assigned:

• Participates in professional development opportunities, in-service trainings regarding antiracism, oppression, and cultural humility/curiosity, and regularly assess own performance and program for related improvements. Assists with internal Children’s Home Society of WA staff training opportunities as available
• Complies with all Children’s Home Society of WA policies and procedures
• Complies with the agency’s policies and procedures regarding the identification and reporting of child abuse
• Participates in regular administrative, clinical, and reflective supervision with designated supervisor
• Participates in scheduled team and administrative meetings
• Contributes to federal, state, and local reporting requirements and reporting of child abuse

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of early childhood development, including an understanding of the concepts and dynamics underlying young children’s social-emotional development (such as attachment and separation), as well as an understanding of family dynamics and the importance of child-caregiver interaction
• Ability to identify key signs, symptoms, impact, and manifestations of trauma, disrupted attachment, and racism and adversity in children and adults
• Demonstrated understanding of how behaviors, including those that appear to be “problems” or symptoms often reflect trauma-related coping skills
• Experience working and communicating with immigrant and marginalized communities and families
• Excellent written and verbal communication with diverse groups, including programmatic documentation
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including engaging presentation and public speaking skills. Demonstrates a communication style that is open, adaptable, reflective, engaging, honest, and culturally sensitive and eliminates the use of labels that stigmatize

• Ability to embrace and support CHSW’s commitment to fostering an inclusive organization

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

This job is performed in a professional office environment. The following list is representative of the work environment employees encounter while performing the essential functions of this job:

• Serving North Pierce and South King County and based out of Auburn, WA

WORKING REMOTELY:

Working remotely is a benefit of Children’s Home Society of Washington’s flexible workplace, but remote work cannot be offered for all positions. Some positions require daily presence in the office. Remote work arrangements may be adjusted or rescinded based upon business needs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard; occasionally to reach, stoop and kneel
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work
• Regular, predictable attendance is required
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or a closely related field
• Endorsement by the Washington Association of Infant Mental Health (WA-AIMH) or willingness to complete the process at onset of employment
• Must have reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, safe driving record, and auto liability insurance OR must have acceptable alternative and reliable transportation

PREFFERED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bilingual in English/Spanish highly desired
• Specialized clinical training in infant early childhood mental health, including provision of reflective supervision/consultation for individuals and groups

SALARY RANGE AND BENEFITS:

The salary range for this position is $64,336-$91,343. The starting salary range for this position is $64,336 -$71,088 DOE for external candidates.

Employees (and their families) are covered by medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are able to enroll in our company’s 401k plan. Employees will also receive 10 days of vacation leave each year, three personal days each year, and will accrue one sick day per month (pro-rated for part-time employees). Employees will also enjoy 15 paid holidays throughout the calendar year. We also offer EAP and mental health benefits.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)