Mental Health/Disability Specialist

Mental Health/Disability SpecialistChild Start, Inc. is currently seeking a Mental Health/Disability Specialist to join our team. As a Mental Health/Disability Specialist, you will collaborate with classroom staff in identifying children in need of individualized developmental and behavioral services. You will recommend and demonstrate strategies to help children adapt and succeed in the classroom and at home. Additionally, you will refer children for additional evaluation by partner agencies for Part B and Part C services and mental health consultation. You will document and track screenings, individualized services, and referrals in our child-tracking software.In this role, you will provide direct support to children and families as needed through Program Intervention Plans. You will also work with our Mental Health and Disabilities Coordinator to recommend referrals to partner agencies and provide assistance with Individual Education Plans (IEP) or Individual Family Service Plans (IFSP).Responsibilities include:Observe children in classrooms and home settings to help classroom staff identify children with developmental and behavioral needs; attend month Multidisciplinary Case ReviewsRecommend strategies to help children with identified concerns adapt more successfully to classroom environment; collaborate with Teachers and Coaches to develop Program Intervention Plans (PIP) and Behavior Safety Plans (BSP) to provide direct support for children; collaborate with Site Supervisor to lead PIP and BSP meeting with parents and classroom staff; demonstrate and mentor teachers in using these strategiesSupport classroom staff in identifying and implementing IEP/IFSP recommendationsWork with contracted Mental health Consultants on-site to implement social-emotional and behavioral recommendationsMonitor required developmental and behavioral screenings; train and support classroom staff in using screening tools and complete screenings in a timely manner as defined by HS performance standardsIdentify potential concerns from screenings; initiate referral to CAET for review and recommendations; assist classroom staff in completing paperwork for referrals for developmental/speech evaluations and mental consultationSupport staff in communicating with parents the results of children's developmental and behavioral screenings and any concerns that are identified; assist parents in communicating their concerns for their children with site staff; when appropriate attend home visits with Family Services Staff and/or Teacher to observe children and provide support to familiesEncourage families to pursue referrals for developmental/speech evaluation and services as well as mental/behavioral health consultation and services; monitor progress of referrals; link parents to community support services as neededServe as a collaborative team member with the entire MHDB team; share duties with team members such as monitoring health checklist for MHDB requirements and attending Health Literacy eventsTake direction and supervision from assigned Mental Health & Disability Coordinator while recognizing responsibility to the assigned Site Supervisor(s) for helping the entire center(s) achieve success with children in attendance.