Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist - PPD

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.

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

• Educate expectant parents and staff on recognizing signs of postpartum depression.
• Provide screenings for new mothers.
• Ensure a supportive environment for mothers to openly discuss their mental health concerns.
• Facilitate support groups where expectant and new mothers can connect, share experiences, and gain peer support.
• Offer both in-person and virtual group options.
• Deliver information on the importance of mental health during the postpartum period and signs and symptoms of postpartum depression.
• Conduct confidential screenings to identify women at higher risk for postpartum depression using Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS); BDI Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).
• Include all pregnant moms with an enrolled child in prenatal education curriculum, not just those who have applied for EHS for their unborn child.
• Partner with local healthcare providers and community organizations to disseminate information about postpartum depression and available support services.
• Partner with local perinatal providers (health, mental health, social services) to disseminate information about available community resources, and coordinate services for the most underserved in our community.
• Collaborate with Children First Health, Mental Health, Nutrition, Inclusion, Education, and Family Services staff to ensure a coordinated and supportive approach for both child and mother.

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

• Train all staff on the signs and symptoms of postpartum depression, how to initiate supportive conversations with mothers, and appropriate referral procedures.

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

• Participate in the agency’s Self and Community Assessment processes annually.
• Participate in departmental monitoring protocols for quality assurance.

Licenses /Certifications

• Valid Driver’s License and acceptable driving record – proof of auto insurance within agency limits, or access to transportation.
• Immediate/continued enrollment in the Criminal History Registry-Child Care Division.
• Current Health Appraisal, updated every two (2) years.
• Certification in Infant/Child CPR and First Aid certification, required/desired.

Education / Equivalent Experience

• Master’s or Advanced Degree in Mental Health field; hold either MH State-Certification, state licensure or be license-eligible (seeking licensure), allowing for direct service to children and families
• Three (3) years working in the mental/behavioral health field; specific to families with young children preferred