Early Head Start Health/Disabilities/Mental Health Coordinator

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position: Early Head Start Health/Disabilities/Mental Health Coordinator

Reports to: Program Associate Director

SUMMARY:

Duties include but are not limited to, coordination of the EHS Health Program Services and Services for Children with Disabilities which includes health, oral health, mental health, nutrition, and disability components. Responsible for creating partnerships in the community including working directly with in-house mental health consultant. Ensure that all child health requirements are met upon entrance into the program and track all health, dental, nutrition and disability-related data to ensure any concerns are identified and follow-up services are received in a timely matter.

Responsible for coordinating services with families through ongoing assessments, review of health documents and interviews with families to ensure that problems are quickly identified and addressed and provide appropriate training and support when necessary.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Assist in the development of, and carry out goals, policies and activities designed to implement the agency's mission, objectives, and performance standards.
• Participate in the annual community needs assessment and develop and revise as needed the health, nutrition, disability, and mental health service areas with the Policy Council, Health Advisory Committee, parents, and staff.
• Maintain and update policies and procedures related to health and disability services.
• Review, evaluate and interpret results from health records and determine the need for services, intervention, training, and community resources.
• Maintain tracking of health, mental health, disability, dental and nutrition services for data entry to provide monthly compliance reports to the Director, Policy Council and Board.
• Work in collaboration and serve as a resource to staff to identify resources available in the community to meet the needs of the families regarding health, nutrition, disability, and mental health issues.
• Meet regularly with the Director and Management Team to ensure that services are being delivered in an effective and efficient manner and in balance with the overall needs and goals of the program.
• Organize and facilitate Health Services Advisory Committee (CHAD) meetings consisting of parents, staff, and community members to provide guidance to the program and ensure coordination of services.
• Develop interagency agreements, letters of support and memorandums of understanding as necessary to provide health care and other resources to the Early Head Start families, monitor and update as appropriate.
• Serve as a representative in the community by providing outreach for the program and acting as an advocate for child health and developmental issues on behalf of Early Head Start families.
• Participate with the Early Head Staat team in the development of a yearly planning calendar to ensure that all activities are scheduled and completed in a timely, organized manner.
• Facilitate and/or schedule appropriate training on health and family issues for staff, parents, and volunteers.
• Promote preventative health services and early intervention.
• Assist in linking children and their families to health care systems for on-going health screenings, examinations, and treatment and support families in assuming responsibility for their child's continuous health care needs.
• Investigate health problems as reported by program staff or consultants. Develop plans with staff and parents as needed.
• Be available to staff and parents for consultation on health, nutrition, disability, and mental health concerns.
• Complete referrals for families to other agencies and community resources and develop a mechanism to ensure that there is a follow-up process.
• Report and provide supportive services involving cases of suspected child abuse.
• Regular written and verbal communications with staff, which include flyers, newsletters, and referral information.
• Ability to interpret nutrition assessment data, provide nutrition counseling for families, and promote good nutrition habits among children and families in collaboration with staff and SLH Registered Dietician.
• Ensure the nutrition program meets the special needs of children with disabilities and assist staff in dealing with children with feeding problems or other nutritional needs.
• The ability to work with licensed or certified mental health professionals and other agencies in providing appropriate mental health services, observations and referrals for children and families.
• Coordinate all program activities with staff in other content areas and in other community agencies.
• Meet all specific content area requirements as outlined by performance standards.

POSITION SPECIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge/Skills/Experience
• BA in Health, Nutrition or related discipline or closely related field required.
• Strong knowledge of the principles of public health and social work, child development, counseling, or psychology.
• Be familiar with the ethnic background and heritage of families in the program.
• Communication skills related to crisis intervention and parent support.
• Ability to work as a team member and promote an integrated service delivery model to Early Head Start Families in combination with other service areas.
• Strong working knowledge of office communications systems and computer skills including word processing and data entry.
• Ability to interpret data reports.
• Ability to prioritize complex workload.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Valid Driver’s License and Clean DMV
• First Aide/CPR certified.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel object, tools, or controls; and to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel and crouch. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; crawl; and taste or smell.

The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. The employee frequently lifts and/or moves up to 20 pounds and occasionally lifts and/or moves up to 40 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

COMPENSATION: $27.50-$28.11/hr. DOE

BENEFITS: Part-time employees (16 hours per week) are eligible for:

2 weeks of paid time off plus 13 holidays

12 days of sick leave accrual

Lake Family Resource Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer