Mental Health Professional, Early Childhood

Early Childhood Mental Health Professional

Heritage Behavioral Health Center is seeking dedicated professionals to provide specialized school-based counseling for children ages 3-5 at the Empowerment Opportunity Center. This is a unique opportunity to shape the developmental trajectory of our community's youngest learners during their most critical years.

We are a mission-driven Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic located in Decatur, Illinois who is dedicated to improving mental health and substance use care to individuals in a multi-county area. We recognize that all individuals at our organization have an impact on client care – regardless of the position they hold.

Why You'll Love Working Here:

• Collaborative mission-driven work environment
• Every other Friday off – paid wellness days to recharge
• Flexibility: Choice of 10 month or 12-month schedule
• Competitive salaries aligned with state and national benchmarks
• Loan forgiveness eligibility through NHSC

At Heritage, we believe in taking care of our staff's needs so that they can concentrate on taking care of the needs of the individuals we serve. Our staff are our greatest asset, and we treat them as such!

Your Role: Early Childhood Mental Health Professional

As an Early Childhood Mental Health Professional at the Empowerment Opportunity Center, you will focus on the social-emotional foundations of children ages 3-5. This role is rooted in play-based therapy, attachment theory, and family systems. You will work on-site to help toddlers and preschoolers develop self-regulation, resilience, and healthy relational skills before they enter the K-12 system.

Core Responsibilities:

• Developmental Counseling: Deliver age-appropriate individual and group therapeutic interventions (play therapy, sensory-based regulation) for children ages 3-5.
• Early Intervention: Conduct assessments focused on early childhood milestones and social-emotional development.
• Teacher Collaboration: Partner with EOC educators to implement trauma-informed classroom strategies and manage challenging behaviors in a preschool setting.
• Family Engagement: Work closely with parents and guardians to provide psychoeducation on child development and strengthen the caregiver-child bond.
• Crisis Support: Provide gentle de-escalation and emotional support for young children experiencing acute distress.
• Integrated Care: Coordinate with pediatricians, early intervention specialists, and EOC staff to ensure a holistic support network for every child.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Early Childhood Expertise: Deep understanding of early childhood mental health (IECMH) and stages of development (3-5).
• Clinical Skills: Ability to use play-based techniques and observational assessments to identify emotional or behavioral needs in non-verbal or emerging-verbal children.
• Trauma-Informed Lens: Knowledge of how early childhood adversity impacts brain development and long-term wellness.
• Collaboration: A "team-player" mentality to work alongside staff and families.

Qualifications

• High School or GED + 5 years of supervised clinical experience
• Bachelor's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, education, or other human service fields
• Graduate degree in counseling, clinical psychology, social work, or other human service field
• Preference given to candidates with experience in early childhood settings or certifications in toddler mental health.
• Minimum of 21 years of age
• A valid driver's license, reliable means of transportation, and proof of automobile insurance.

Heritage also offers the following with this position:

• Generous Time Off: Vacation, sick, personal, and holiday leave
• Wellness Benefits: Every other Friday off paid, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and fitness reimbursement
• Insurance: Health, dental, vision, flex spending accounts (healthcare, dependent care), and additional life insurance. Health insurance includes substantial agency contributions toward the cost.
• Retirement: 401k and Roth
• Professional Growth: Tuition assistance and continuing education opportunities
• Loan Forgiveness: Eligible through the National Health Service Corp

Ready to help our littlest learners thrive? Apply today to join a team that values early intervention and staff well-being!