Mental Health Specialist

Salary Range:

Hourly Rate: $37.03 – 43.34*

* 2% Bilingual Enhancement and/or 8% Tahoe Basin

Vision:

To establish children and families as our Nation’s Top Priority

Mission Statement:

Our mission is to empower children and their families to maximize their full potential through opportunities for growth and change.

Values:

The entire KidZCommunity organization is dedicated to creating and fostering a supportive environment which promotes trust, respect, professional growth, and quality leadership.

Professional Ethics:

At KidZCommunity, we subscribe to the Standards of Ethical Behavior as outlined in the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and Advancing Equity in Early Childhood Education. All employees are expected to become familiar with the code and use it as a model for ethical and professional behavior.

Summary:

The Mental Health Specialist will ensure the planning and implementation of the mental health programs for KidZCommunity. They will work with local agencies that provide mental health support to ensure that children and families who are in need of Mental Health support receive that support. The Mental Health Specialist will ensure a program-wide culture that promotes children’s social and emotional well-being, and overall health; by implementing strategies to identify and support children with disabilities and social and emotional concerns that ensure the Head Start Performance Standards around Mental Health.

Reporting Requirements:

The Mental Health Specialist will report to the Senior Manager, Health, Nutrition, and Family Services.

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Status and Classification:

This position is full-time, full year, Exempt position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Operates within the KidZCommunity vision/mission/values.
• Operates from the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (continued):

• Follows the Head Start Performance Standards.
• Follows the personnel policies & procedures.
• Maintains regular contact with school districts, local mental health agencies, colleges, regional centers and other appropriate organizations for the purpose of enhancing services to children and families.
• Identifies appropriate Part B and Part C resources and assists with referrals to ensure services are provided to students with disabilities.
• Provides a system for confidentiality of record keeping and arranges appropriate transfer of information to public schools if necessary.
• Monitors mental health/disability service components to ensure compliance with local, state and federal requirements.
• Develops processes and procedures for identifying, enrolling, and providing services to students with disabilities in compliance with local, state and federal regulations.
• Identifies and recommends special equipment and materials for students with disabilities.
• Monitors and provides feedback to teachers providing services to students with disabilities to ensure effective student outcomes.
• Participates in meetings, workshops and seminars as assigned for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform functions.
• Assists in the coordination of report preparation, data collection, and records maintenance to ensure the program is in compliance with local state and federal requirements.
• Provide support for effective classroom management and positive learning environments; supportive teacher practices; and strategies for supporting children with challenging behaviors and other social, emotional, and mental health concerns.
• Conducts classroom observations in order to identify children with disabilities, developmental delays or social emotional/mental wellness needs.
• Shares observations with staff in a strength-based manner and writes an “After Visit Summary” in which successes and suggestions are shared formally.
• Responds to DS-1s and schedules visits when necessary.
• Uses Developmental and Behavioral screening to help identify children who may need additional screening or referral.
• Works with teachers, Home Visitors, and family childcare providers, to improve classroom management and teacher practices through strategies that include using classroom observations and consultations to address teacher and individual child needs
• Address prevalent child mental health concerns, including internalizing problems such as appearing withdrawn and externalizing problems such as challenging behaviors.
• Recognizes the connection between early childhood developmental and social emotional development and a child’s behavior and can articulate the connection to staff working with said child.
• Assist parents to create links to family support programs, and help parents establish eligibility for additional support programs, as needed and practicable.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (continued):

• Provides any necessary modifications to the environment, multiple and varied formats for instruction, and individualized accommodation and supports as necessary to ensure the full participation of children with disabilities.
• Attends MDT and Wellness consultation meetings to coordinate support for children, families, and staff.
• Is available to attend parent meetings, staff meetings and one-on-one meetings with parents or staff to address concerns around disabilities, mental health and parenting skills.
• Understands the foundation of a positive behavior support plans and can support goals and strategies written into a positive behavior support plan.
• Ensures mental health consultation services occur on a schedule of sufficient and consistent frequency to ensure mental health support is available to partner with staff and families in a timely and effective manner.
• Helps both parents and staff to understand mental health and access mental health interventions, if needed.
• Builds community partnerships to facilitate access to additional mental health resources and services, as needed.
• Coordinates with the local agency responsible for implementing IDEA to identify children enrolled or who intend to enroll in a program that may be eligible for services under IDEA, including participation in the local agency Child Find efforts.
• Works to develop interagency agreements with the local agency responsible for implementing IDEA to improve service delivery to children eligible for services under IDEA, including the referral and evaluation process, service coordination, promotion of service provision in the least restrictive appropriate community-based setting.
• Ensure the individualized needs of children with disabilities, including but not limited to those eligible for services under IDEA, are being met and all children have access to and can fully participate in the full range of activities and services.
• Attends IEP/IFSP meetings when staff are unavailable or when requested by staff or parents.
• Helps staff to ensure that children are working towards the goals in their IFSP or IEP.
• Provides managerial support for the Wellness and Inclusion Coordinator.

Dependability:

• Attendance
• Punctuality
• Team Participation:
• Step in where needed
• Anticipate needs for daily routines

Professionalism:

• Confidentiality
• Dress standards
• Health Hygiene & Safety
• Strength based communication

Knowledge:

• Head Start Performance Standards, PCAC policies and procedures, Title 22 and Title 5, governing operations related to job duties, work performance and personal conduct
• Operation of common business software, including Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Working knowledge of age-appropriate child development
• Functional knowledge of behavior support strategies

Mathematical Ability:

Basic mathematical skills

Language Ability:

Strong English usage including vocabulary, grammatical usage, spelling, and punctuation

Other Abilities:

• Exercise independent judgment in all functions of the job
• Ability to communicate effectively internally and with community professionals
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Experience:

• Two (2) years center-based experience
• Compliance with Title 22 and Head Start Performance Standards

Education and Permit:

• Master’s Degree in ECE/CD, psychology, or related field
• Licensed in the Mental Health Field (LMFT, LCSW)

Continuing Education:

• Participates in agency career development program
• Attends all staff development trainings
• Additional training as required
• Continuing Education required to maintain licensure

Physical Requirements and Work Conditions:

• Physical Activity: Normal standing, walking and sitting. Ability to lift 25 lbs.
• Travel: to program sites throughout Placer and Nevada County.
• Use of Senses: Ability to carry on ordinary conversation and telephone communication. Hearing normal conversations. Normal vision corrected if necessary.
• Environmental Conditions: Normalwork area is inside with regulated heat and normal noise level. No hazards apparent.
• Atmospheric Conditions: No fumes, odors, dust, smoke, gasses or poor ventilation.

Physical Requirements and Work Conditions (continued):

§ Cognitive Requirements: Ability to do mathematics and calculation, solve problems, good reading and proofreading skills, and demonstrated reasoning and analyzing skills.

Other Requirements:

• Department of Justice Fingerprint and child abuse index clearance.
• Post-offer physical examination; TB clearance; proof of immunization or immunity to pertussis and measles; and annual flu vaccination or signed declination.
• Valid Class C driver’s license, readily available and reliable transportation and minimum vehicle insurance as required by state law.

PERFORMANCE AGREEMENT

I, (print name) _______________________________, have read and understand my role and responsibilities as Mental Health Specialist, which are outlined in the attached job description. I agree to comply with and follow those guidelines. I understand that the role and responsibilities outlined in the job description are the elements of how my performance shall be evaluated.

__________________________________________ _____________________

Employee Signature Date

__________________________________________ _____________________

Supervisor Signature Date

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

It is the policy of KidZCommunity to promote equal employment opportunities through a continuing program of practices designed to enhance employment and advancement of only the most qualified and dedicated personnel without regard to race, color, citizenship status, immigration status, national origin (including language use restrictions), ancestry, gender, gender identity, transgender, gender expression, genetic information, medical condition (genetic characteristics, cancer or record or history of cancer), sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), sexual orientation, age (40 or older), religion, creed, physical or mental disability (including HIV and AIDS), marital status, military and veteran status, political or religious affiliations (includes religious dress and grooming practices), or any other characteristic protected by law.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $37.03 - $43.34 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• 403(b) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Loan forgiveness
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Travel reimbursement
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Master's (Preferred)

Experience:

• work: 2 years (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Auburn, CA 95603 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Auburn, CA 95603: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $37 - $43