Mental Health Specialist (CSELC)

CLARE SWAN EARLY LEARNING CENTER

Job Description

Job Title: Mental Health Specialist

Department: Clare Swan Early Learning Center

Reports To: Director, Clare Swan Early Learning Center

Supervises: None

FLSA Status: Exempt

Pay Grade: E5

Job Type: Full-time, Regular

AKBCU: Yes ICPA: Yes

General Functions

The Mental Health Specialist (MHS) is responsible for providing mental health support to Education staff, children, and families of the Clare Swan Early Learning Center (CSELC)’/. The MHS will provide a broad range of services, including early childhood mental health in classrooms and through training and coaching staff; screening, through observation/assessment, and referral services; promotion and marketing of group services; and providing parent trainings. The MHS will also collect data, maintain records, and support compliance in all facets of Head Start Performance Standards and State regulations.

Duties And Responsibilities, Including But Not Limited To

General Classroom Observations, Consultation & Coaching:

• Visit each CSELC classroom at least once per month.
• Provide written and oral observations and strengths-based feedback to classrooms following observations; meet with classroom teams when appropriate. Develop and implement plans as needed.
• Provide child development information related to social and emotional development and mental health.
• Provide guidance to staff on interpreting social and emotional screening and assessment tools and findings. Provide guidance and model developmentally appropriate activities for children and effective ways to work with and support young children.
• One on one support calls with sites/classrooms as needed.
• Provide reflective practice with teachers and reflective supervision with family services staff, and leadership.
  
  

Staff Training

• Support, coordinate, and provide staff trainings related to:
• Social, emotional and mental health issues at least once per quarter.
• Trauma Informed Care.
• Additional training within training days and In Services opportunities or as needed.
• Develop and implement a monthly Q&A opportunity for staff to take part in.
  

Programmatic Consultation

• Participate in meetings.
• Participate in the development and implementation of mental health programs and policy.
• Participate in on-going continuous quality improvements and assurances processes.
  
  

Parent Training

• Provide support and resources for parent training.
• Individualized Child and Family‐Centered Observations & Consultation.
• Conduct observations and assessments of individual children as assigned or referred for consultation.
• Meet with families to consult on child and family needs.
  
  

Other Responsibilities

• Contributes to federal, state, and local reporting requirements.
• Complete, submit, and track all mental health documentation items on appropriate forms and within databases.
• Utilize systems to complete job duties (TEAMS, SharePoint, ChildPlus, Tadpoles, Apricot etc.)
• Performs all other duties as needed and assigned.
  
  

Work Activities

• Develop and maintain constructive and cooperative working relationships with organizations, agencies, and families which support the goals of CSELC.
• Instruct, coach, mentor, or otherwise help others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Perform day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining files and processing information and paperwork and use computers and computer systems effectively to enter data, create spreadsheets and to develop documents, program and training materials and power-point presentations.
• Communicate with supervisors, co-workers, site staff, and people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Analyze and evaluate information to choose the best solution and solve problems; and to develop, design or create new ideas, systems, or products.
  
  

Job Specifications

• Knowledge of local resources to support families and children (ages Birth-5 years of age) with mental health needs.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed theories, principles, and practices (includes a multi-faceted understanding of community trauma, intergenerational and historical trauma, parallel processes, and universal precautions).
• Ability to advocate, model, and support the implementation of initiatives around racial equity and culturally responsive practices.
• Demonstrated knowledge of child mental health services system.
• Demonstrated experience with clinical documentation.
• Demonstrated experience formulating and writing assessments and support plans, preferably for young children.
• Demonstrated experience with evidence-based practices and curricula to promote early childhood mental health is desirable, e.g., Parents as Teachers, Second Step.
• Ability to build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with service providers and families.
• Lead and facilitate provider training and/or parent education groups.
• Use results of screens and assessments to guide work with families.
• Demonstrated ability to establish good rapport and communicate effectively with people of diverse cultures and belief systems, both verbally and in writing.
• Select and use training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation.
• Demonstrate sound judgment, professional boundaries, ethics, and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work effectively within an interdisciplinary team, in an Early Head Start setting.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the social, educational, training, and cultural needs of the Alaska Native/American Indian community.
  
  

Minimum Core Competencies: CITC Values, Respectful Leadership, Professionalism, Emotional Intelligence, Problem-Solving/Critical Thinking, Communication Skills

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, or a related field. Relevant experience may be substituted on a year for year basis with a plan for degree completion.
• Two (2) years of experience in the mental health or social work fields.
• Two (2) years of experience in supervisory or management.
• Infant/Toddler CPR/First Aid certified or become within 60 days (about 2 months) of hire.
• Must provide a copy of the current Health report.
• Valid Alaska driver’s license and insurable under CITC’s automotive insurance, which requires a driver to be at least 21 years of age and have had a driver’s license for at least three years
• Continued employment is contingent upon receiving a satisfactory state and federal background check.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work, or a related field.
• Experience working in a Head Start/Early Head Start environment.
• Current or former Head Start parents are encouraged to apply.
  
  

Disclaimer

The information provided in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by incumbents within this job. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and working conditions required of employees assigned to this job. Management has sole discretion to add or modify duties of the job and to designate other functions as essential at any time. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract.