Behavioral Health Aide

Applicants must apply via Applitrack and upload the following required clearances: Act 24 Arrest and Conviction Report, Act 34 Pennsylvania Criminal History Clearance, Act 151 Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance, and Act 114 Federal Criminal History Clearance. Links to these clearances can be found at TIU 11 Human Resources.

About the Role

This Behavioral Health Aide (BHA) provides support to children and teaching staff regarding social-emotional development and behavioral health services within early childhood classrooms. The position supports children with identified needs as determined by a specific behavioral plan and assists in stabilizing classroom environments by helping staff and children with routines and procedures.

Responsibilities

Classroom Support

• Work as directed by the Senior Manager for Early Education Services and licensed mental health specialists/social worker within identified classrooms requiring additional support.
• Support specific or identified children in learning classroom routines, interacting with other children, and managing transitions.
• Implement strategies, as directed by the mental health specialist/social worker, to increase children's positive experiences in the classroom.
• Assist teaching staff and children to stabilize and promote positive social skills, develop coping strategies, and self-regulating behaviors.
• Help implement intervention strategies within the classroom to enable teachers and staff to carry out strategies independently.
• Actively supervise children within assigned classrooms, minimizing risks and using active supervision procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Mental Health

• Assist with the collection of data, as directed by the Mental Health Specialist/Social Worker, for specific children.
• Become familiar with behavioral treatment plans for any child and follow the guidelines of the treatment plan.
• Assist classroom teams in implementing strategies as determined by behavioral plans.
• Provide mentoring and modeling of behavioral strategies on social-emotional development and positive classroom guidance.
• Communicate behavioral health training needs of staff to the Senior Manager for Early Education Services and the Mental Health Specialist/Social Worker.
• Support education teams in understanding and implementing PBIS within the classroom, modeling and mentoring staff as determined by the Mental Health Worker.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Knowledge of human development, early childhood, and children with disabilities.
• Knowledge of behavioral strategies and tools, particularly those following positive behavior techniques.
• Ability to implement the rules, requirements, and policies of the agency.
• Ability to exercise professional judgment in decision-making.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency staff, children, and parents.
• Ability to keep all information strictly confidential.

Qualifications

Language Skills

• Ability to communicate ideas and instructions orally and in writing.
• Ability to speak, read, and write English proficiently.
• Ability to write reports and business correspondence.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret health and disabilities journals and resource materials.
• Ability to speak before groups of individuals.
• Bilingual skills (English/Spanish) are helpful.

Mathematical Skills

• Ability to perform basic math, including calculating percentages and overtime.
• Ability to produce and interpret graphs, charts, spreadsheets, and other mathematical reports.

Reasoning Skills

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions.
• Ability to summarize conclusions and instructions, make recommendations, and develop implementation strategies.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality at all times.

Other Skills and Abilities

• Ability to exhibit patience and tact when communicating with children, families, staff, management, and the public.
• Ability to project professionalism in daily activities.

Education

• A minimum of a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and two years of experience working with children, or an Associate’s degree in Human Services with two years of experience.
• Must be willing and able to obtain and maintain Basic First Aid and CPR certification.
• Current and former Head Start parents will receive preference for employment vacancies for which they are qualified.
• Previous experience in Head Start is preferred.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• May occasionally need to provide gentle guidance and direction to children.
• May be required to lift up to 45 pounds.
• Some exposure to communicable diseases.
• Noise level in the work environment may be moderate to loud.
• Work is generally performed in a classroom setting.
• Must be available for a variety of evening events to support parent engagement services within the program.