Mental Health Consultant

Missouri Ozarks Community Action Head Start is searching for a Mental Health Consultant who will be paramount in assisting the program with the Social Emotional needs of young children, families and staff.

Contracted: Details upon request for serious inquirers

General Description:

Provide early childhood mental health support to Head Start/Early Head Start staff, children, and families.

Clear a State Family Care Safety Registry (FCSR) and Federal (fingerprint) background check

Educational and Licensing Requirements:

· Missouri State Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Clinical Social worker (LCSW) or under the supervision of a Missouri Licensed Mental Health Professional. Preferably, with an understanding of Early Childhood Development and Trauma informed care.

· Must have experience with serving young children (birth to 5) and include pregnant and post-partum women.

· Excellent oral, written and computer communication skills

· Provide mental health licensure, and practice insurance.

Travel: mileage reimbursement at the current GSA rate

· Must have reliable transportation and must provide proof of a valid driver license and vehicle insurance.

· Location of centers: Belle, Bourbon, Cuba, Owensville, Rolla, and St. James Head Start centers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Assistance to the program to implement strategies and identify, and support children with mental health or social emotional concerns.

a. Minimum of two classroom observations per school year

b. Provide recommendations for children who exhibit persistent and serious behavioral concerns.

c. Provides assistance to teachers to improve classroom management and teacher practices through strategies that will include classroom observations and consultations that address teacher and individual child needs by creating physical and cultural environments that promote positive mental health social emotional functioning.

d. Assist home visiting staff, to meet children’s mental health and social emotional need through strategies that could include onsite observation and consultation.

e. Assist staff to address prevalent child mental health concerns, including internalizing problems such as appearing withdrawn and externalizing problems.

f. Assist parents and staff in understanding mental health issues and provide access to mental health interventions, if needed.

g. Assistance in workshops for parents and staff on topics related to child development, behavioral health, and wellness if requested.

h. Collaborate with Head Start staff to create individualized plans for children with identified needs as requested.

i. Participate in regular meetings with Head Start staff to evaluate program effectiveness as requested.

2. Services are to build capacity of adults in an infant or young child’s life. Strengthen and support mental health and social and emotional development of children, and include the processes if needed assistance with suspension or expulsion.

Contact: Tawana Harper

For further information on compensation, availability and responsibilities contact MOCA Head Start Program Director at tharper@mocacaa.org.

Job Type: Contract

Schedule:

• No weekends

Ability to Relocate:

• Saint James, MO 65559: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person