Mental Health/Disability Advocate

The Alabama Council on Human Relations (ACHR) seeks candidates for a Mental Health/Disability Advocate position to accept, refer, follow-up and track referrals for all Early/Head Start children who have possible special needs (whether educational or mental health); work closely with education team, supervisor and with contract mental health provider to see that services are provided to children as well as parents and teachers.

Support classroom staff and Center Supervisors in providing appropriate, consistent classroom management so that learning can take place for all children present. Will work with members of the Special Services Team, especially the Center Supervisors, and with the school system personnel to create and carry out special programs and services for ACHR Child Development Program (ACHR-CDP) children with special needs, to help teachers and parents provide follow-up for the programs and to support and assist the members of the psychological services team in carrying out their mission.

Essential functions include but are not limited to:

• Responsible for setting up e-DECA (social-emotional screener) system each year, maintain spreadsheet to track information.
• Record in ChildPlus all key screening data related to special services, referrals, diagnostic and IEP/IFSP information & dates for each child in the agency.
• Maintain timely, clear documentation of observations & work done with each child with special needs on the agreed on "behavior concern".
• Create/maintain files that document participation/activities with children, teachers, parents and others.
• Keep notes documenting each conference held with child's teacher, parent or other person on behalf of child, family or agency and send summary to supervisor.
• Complete Training Summary and Sign-In Forms for ALL teacher or parent training activities.
• Use ChildPlus to track children with mental health/behavior needs including number of visits with child's teacher and with parent(s) on child's behalf (PIR item) and those with MH consultant.
• Ensure that classroom staff implements agency approved programs including Conscious Discipline.
• Document and report observed problems with children in classrooms & assist in any reasonable way.
• Plan, carry out and document monthly mental wellness meetings for staff.
• Observe classrooms that have children with known challenging behaviors.
• Assist in facilitating social/emotional and developmental screenings as needed and agreed on with supervisor & special services team members and record results in data system.
• Assist mental health consultant in activities as agreed on with supervisor or in special services meetings, formal or informal.
• Act as an ACHR-CDP liaison with other agencies to ensure that services are coordinated to provide children and families with the best services available for each child.
• Apply ACHR Education and School Readiness Philosophy as well as ACHR Policy & Procedures, DHR Standards, USDA regulations, and Head Start Performance Standards.
• Attend all assigned training, including in-house training for classroom staff; represent ACHR professionally at various events including conferences and training activities.
• Attend and participate in meetings relevant to children on caseload, including IEPs/IFSPs for any ACHR child.
• Perform other work related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Ability to interact effectively with people from diverse backgrounds
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing
• Demonstrated computer literacy skills, using MS Office applications and other basic data systems including internet navigation
• Must be honest, dependable and able to meet deadlines
• Self-motivated and able to work independently.
• Ability to lift 45-pound child who must be diapered; able to bend, stoop, stretch, squat, push, pull, sit (on small chairs & floor), walk (quickly through halls), run (to catch children on the playground or elsewhere) and climb (on preschool equipment).

Entry into the candidate pool requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education, psychology, social work with child emphasis or a related degree and an orientation toward coaching children so they learn to self-regulate.

Prior experience with young children in an organization involved in the delivery of similar services is desired.

A pre-employment physical exam, background check, valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance are also required.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to Commute:

• Hurtsboro, AL 36860 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Hurtsboro, AL 36860: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person