Early Intervention Mental Health Specialist - Head Start

Lycoming-Clinton Counties Commission for Community Action (STEP), Inc. has been serving the community for nearly 60 years. As part of the Community Action Network, STEP has a long history of providing programs to support needs identified through its Community Assessment. Being a part of STEP, makes you part of something much bigger - people helping people and building stronger communities! Are you desiring to make a positive impact on peoples’ lives?

*Interested applicants should view the full job description and fill out our online application at www.stepcorp.org/careers-service

Summary Description

Provides expert guidance and high-level direct support to staff, parents, providers, agencies, and contractors and their staff members regarding all aspects in the implementation of Head Start Disabilities and Mental Health service areas, in compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS). Collaborates closely with Head Start program administration and management staff to assure seamless, integrated service delivery across all Head Start services areas.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Special Education, Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Psychology, Human Services, or related field; and,
• Two years’ professional experience observing, assessing, planning, and implementing individual and group activities for young children, including those with disabilities, special needs, and mental health and behavior issues.

Requirements

• Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Clearance, Child Abuse Clearance, FBI Clearance, National Sex Offender Registry check prior to hire; and Motor Vehicle Record check;
• Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse training completed within 90 days of hire;
• Physical examination prior to hire;
• Tuberculosis test prior to hire;
• Computer training and/or documented proficiency with popular word processing, spreadsheet, and database software; experience with and/or training in Microsoft Office products particularly Word, Excel, and Access is preferred;
• Valid driver's license and vehicle with adequate insurance coverage available for daily use;
• Physical ability to perform essential job functions without any health restrictions, including the ability to sit for long periods of time; stand, lift, and carry up to thirty pounds; have unrestricted use of the upper body; corrected or uncorrected hearing and vision within normal range, and a clear speaking voice; and other abilities necessary to ensure child safety in the classroom, other group areas, and when in the community, such as, but not limited to, the following: o Ability to bend, squat, reach, kneel, and climb stairs; o Ability to move from a sitting to standing position quickly, safely, and without difficulty; o Ability to chase an eloping child; and,
• Work nontraditional hours as needed or assigned, including evenings, weekends, and overnight travel.

Responsibilities

• Assist with planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating disabilities and early intervention and mental health services delivery in compliance with Head Start early childhood education and other applicable HSPPS and regulations;
• Orient staff, contractors, parents, and collaborating agencies and their staff members to the Head Start Mental Health and Disabilities services areas;
• Assist with assessment of training needs and training plan development in coordination with supervisory planning team;
• Support, guide, and coach education team members with the implementation of the mental health, social and emotional development, and developmental portions of the comprehensive screening and assessment process for each child;
• Seek and receive referrals from staff, parents, contracting individuals, and agencies for children suspected of having a disability or children with atypical behaviors, and refer to appropriate professionals for further evaluation and documentation in coordination with the Early Intervention Mental Health Manager;
• Visit, observe, and assess child environments; record and document; report to the Early Intervention Mental Health Manager;
• Follow-up on child re-screens and referrals for further assessments or formal evaluations as appropriate, in coordination with the Early Intervention Mental Health Manager;
• Process and report disability and mental health services information and performance indicators in the context of a comprehensive information management system including, but not limited to, child and group observations, support services, child screenings, referrals and assessments, interdisciplinary team meetings, diagnostician, disability status, therapies, and related expenditures;
• Provide training and technical assistance and serve as a resource for education team members and parents on disabilities, mental health, atypical development, behavioral and social/emotional issues;
• Provide training and technical assistance to education team members and parents on inclusion;
• Support, guide, and coach education team members with group management strategies and the implementation of behavior management plans for children, including data collection and analysis, monitoring, feedback, and parent collaboration;
• Facilitate comprehensive child/family team meetings for assigned groups; provide current special services and disabilities status information; ensure integrated cross-component discussion of each child and family; establish and maintain records; act upon or assign follow-up as needed;

Interested applicants should view the full job description and fill out our online application at www.stepcorp.org/careers-service

STEP, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $20.33 per hour

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• 403(b) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $20