What are the responsibilities and job description for the Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist - PPD position at Childfirst?
The Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist will work in coordinated service with the Comprehensive Services and Families Services Teams as well as Community Partners to ensure preventative and supportive services to expectant and new mothers pertaining to post-partum depression (PPD ). this position recognizes that depression could impact a mother at any time while parenting young children. The position will identify the signs and symptoms of PPD; provide targeted support to mothers and their newborn children; and train staff to identify the signs and symptoms of PPD. The position will report to the Director of Comprehensive Services. The position is part-time and will maintain a flexible schedule to meet the needs of families.
Requirements
Indicates the general nature and level of work required in this position. Individuals may be required to perform other duties as assigned. Reasonable accommodations as required to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
Service Delivery - Ensure the delivery of high-quality program services that are developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate. Support school readiness in a coordinated approach to comprehensive services, aligned with the Head Start Program Performance Standards, State and local licensing regulations, and Children First, Inc. Policies and Procedures
- Two-week postpartum home visit; conduct EPDS, BDI.
- Four-week postpartum home visit. (Currently, only teen parents receive additional visit two weeks following initial postpartum visit; expansion to all parents of newborns).
- Use a tiered approach to determine frequency of subsequent visits with parent / child to provide parents support for their own mental health and well-being, such as education materials on reducing stress and understanding depression.
- Nutrition for mom and baby- breastfeeding, formula, intro to solid foods (prepared and home-made).
- Health - Well Child visits, immunizations.
- Development - typical developmental milestones.
- Prepare parent and child for separation / transition with child when the child begins attending early care.
Family and Community Engagement - Integrate strategies into all systems and program services to support family well-being and promote children's learning and development
Education, Training and Professional Development -Systematic approach designed to assist staff in acquiring or increasing the knowledge and skills needed to provide high-quality services within the scope of their job responsibilities
Program Management & Quality Improvement -Process of ongoing monitoring and continuous improvement for achieving program goals that ensures child safety and the delivery of effective high-quality program services. The collection and use of data to drive informed decisions
Licenses / Certifications
Education / Equivalent Experience
Children First, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We offer a competitive salary with limited benefits package for part-time employees.
