Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant

Job Description

Job Description

Position Title: Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant  

Status: Full-time/Part-time, non-exempt 

Reports to: Early Childhood Consultation Program Director

Supervises: N/A  

Summary: The Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant works with Head Start Preschools in Contra Costa County in collaboration with early learning center directors, teachers, and families to assist young children who are exhibiting behavioral difficulties or who seem to need additional support in engaging with peers and caregivers.  Our team aims to build a supportive network for a struggling child at a particularly dynamic time in their development. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:      

• Provides culturally appropriate psychosocial and developmental assessments of children in the early learning setting to assess the needs of the child. 
• Based on the assessment, develops relationships with caregivers and provides case consultation and training to support the social and emotional needs of the child in the setting. 
• Works with the child’s parents/caregivers in the school/daycare setting or in the home to build supportive relationships between the early learning center staff and the parents/caregivers thereby giving the child the best possible chance for a successful outcome. 
• Provides consultation to early learning center providers to assist in structuring their programs to maximize opportunities for social and emotional development. 
• Collects all required programmatic data and submits reports in a timely and accurate manner.  
• Makes referrals to appropriate community resources as indicated by the child’s assessment and behavior. 
• Completes all necessary Medi-Cal paperwork for new clients in accordance with established timeframes. 

• Participates in supervision, staff, training, and other meetings as required. 
• Represents the agency in a professional manner both internally and externally. 
• Meets client service hour benchmarks as established by ECMHP. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

 

Minimum Requirements: 

1. Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, social welfare, psychology, counseling, or related field. 

1. Five years’ experience working in a preschool or daycare setting and/or providing therapy services to young children and their families. 

1. Fluency in both Spanish and English. 

1. Holder of a California driver’s license in good standing and access to a reliable automobile with the legally required minimum insurance coverage. 

1. Must submit to fingerprinting and be cleared by the California Department of Justice and the FBI for criminal and child abuse background checks. 

 

Physical Requirements: 

Employee must be able to lift, grasp, and hold a 50-lb. dynamic load; must be able to stand, walk, sit, bend, stoop, and crouch without physical limitations. Must be able to quickly rise from sitting position on chairs and floor demonstrating rapid motor movement and responses. Must be able to work effectively in a high-noise, rapid-pace environment.

 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Licensed or eligible for licensure by either the California Board of Behavioral Science or the California Board of Psychology. 
• Teaching credentials and/or experience working with the special education population in the school setting.