Mental Health Specialist

Overview

Position: Mental Health Specialist

Department: Head Start and Children's Services

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: ABCD Central Office

Compensation: $38.64 / hour

The Mental Health Specialist is responsible for ensuring that training, technical assistance, and supports for good mental health practices are provided for children 0-5, families and staff. The Mental Health Specialist promotes positive interactions within classrooms through responsive and nurturing care. The Mental Health Specialist coordinates individualized strategies to affect positive behavioral changes for identified children. The Mental Health Specialist works with all staff in an inter-disciplinary approach to support and enhance the mental health of all children and families with social-emotional difficulties in providing and or obtaining services. Consult with Disabilities/Mental Health Services Coordinator.

The Mental Health Specialist is responsible for promoting the mission of ABCD Head Start & Children’s Services; building an understanding of the program by communicating this mission to staff, families and the community.

This position must comply with all federal, state and local laws, regulations, standards and policies, including those of the federal Administration for Children and Families (ACF), the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Massachusetts disability law (Chapter 766), Boston Family Engagement Network (BFEN) and ABCD, Inc. Head Start and Children’s Services policies and procedures.

All ABCD Head Start/Early Head Start and Children’s Services personnel who are paid to care for, or work with, children are MANDATED BY LAW to report all suspected cases of child abuse and neglect to the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF), pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 119 §§ 51A – 51G. Any staff member who suspects child abuse or neglect of a child must inform his or her supervisor immediately.

The responsibilities of a particular position may support both Early Head Start and Head Start depending on the individual assignment. The specific corresponding funding allocation will be documented on the personnel payroll authorization or change of status form.

All communications are potentially sensitive and are subject to Head Start's policy on confidentiality.

Essential Duties

Direct Mental Health Services (Up to 80%)

• Train and support staff to increase awareness of, and competence in, mental health issues relevant to each other and the children and families served.
• Implement an inter-disciplinary system of mental health services to children and their families with an emphasis on the early identification of children with potential social-emotional difficulties.
• Provide in-house mental health treatment to children needing direct mental health services through individual counseling, play therapy, classroom support.
• Attend and participate inter disciplinary team meetings.
• Conduct yearly classroom observations followed by a written report and feedback discussions with teaching team.
• Coordinate and conduct focus observations of specific children when a referral has been made by family or staff.
• Schedule visits in each classroom at a frequency that enables timely and effective identification of and intervention in family and staff concerns about a child’s mental health.
• Design and implements program practices responsive to the identified behavioral and mental health concerns of individual children or groups of children in consultation and coordination with teachers, center directors, education specialists, health specialist, disabilities specialist, and early interventionist as needed.
• Discuss with parents their child’s behavior and development.
• Discuss and identify with parents appropriate responses to their child’s behavior.
• Promote discussions and education on how to strengthen nurturing and supportive environments and relationships in the home and at the Head Start program.
• Promote children’s mental wellness by providing group and individual staff and parent education on mental health issues.
• Develop and implement an education program for interested parents on mental health topics related to children, personal concerns and or family issues.
• Assist in providing special help for children with atypical behavioral or development.
• Work cooperatively with outside agencies.

Utilize Information and Technical Systems (Up to 10%)

• Maintain and monitor a comprehensive record keeping system through documents and through database system.
• Maintain statistical data as requested by the ABCD Head Start administration and in accordance with federal and state regulations.
• Maintain and document on-going contact with local programs through phone and site visits.
• Monitor and provide information relative to Head Start requirements: support program staffs to ensure children have complete vaccination, physical, dental and nutrition screenings.
• Monitor and track follow-up needs, and any concerns for all programs.
• Document technical assistance and plan of action provided to staff at local programs.

Additional Job Responsibilities (Up to 10%)

• Assist with administrative needs as requested.
• Attend required meetings, trainings on and off site; central office.
• Perform any other related duties or responsibilities contained in this job description, otherwise assigned or as required by state or federal laws.
• Supervise interns when available.

Job Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrate a knowledge of and sensitivity to the educational and socioeconomic needs of the children and families served.
• Excellent written and verbal communication as well as interpersonal skills.
• Experience in providing support to an ethnically diverse staff.
• Successful experience in working as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• The skill to deal with sensitive family situations in a non-threatening and professional manner.
• Demonstrate a strong knowledge of child growth and development, children’s mental health issues and intervention strategies for the classroom and home environment.
• Ability to understand and relate well to others.
• Proven ability to keep accurate written records and documentation.
• Attend and participate in community activities, training, and night meetings as needed.
• Possess bilingual ability where appropriate. Translates as necessary or when needed.
• Maintain knowledge of all federal, state, city and program laws, regulations, standards and policies.

Professionalism

• Engage in ongoing staff development to expand professional skills.
• Maintain professional boundaries in relationships with staff and families.
• Maintain confidentiality of child and family information at all times.

Physical Environmental Demands & Conditions

• Frequent significant decisions and problem solving abilities.
• Ability to work as a team member collaborating with coworkers, parents and community resources.
• Frequent traveling for home visits and off site trainings.
• Regular kneeling, bending and sitting on the floor to attend to child's needs.
• Lift and move infant to preschool age children.
• Lift items based on program administration needs.
• Must be able to work independently without intensive supervision.
• Must be able to balance and prioritize workload and have strong time management skills.

Education & Experience:

Master’s degree in social work, counseling or related field and hold a license or mental health certification. Minimum of one to three years of relevant experience in providing services to inner-city children and low income culturally diverse families required.