Disability Mental Health Manager

Program Administrator and Coordination-Disabilities Services

• Takes the lead in the initial development of the Disabilities Work Plan, then administers, monitors, and revises as necessary.
• Makes sure that all staff are familiar with the Plan.
• Ensures Head Start/Early Head Start Services to children with disabilities follow federal regulations and laws governing disability efforts as defined in IDEA and ADA.
• Collaborates with other staff and community agencies in recruiting children with disabilities into the program.
• Ensures attendance of a Head Start/Early Head Start staff member(s) at the IEP/IFSP process.
• Establishes policies and procedures for the implementation of the disabilities portion of the program with parents and staff.
• Assists in locating, setting up, and accessing contract services to meet the needs of children and families.
• Establishes a referral process for any suspected disability/developmental delay or at-risk for developmental delay, including a tracking system for follow-up.
• Arranges for further formal evaluation of a child who has been identified as possibly having a disability/developmental delay.
• Works closely with other managers/specialists/coordinators in the assessment process and follow-up to assure that the special needs of each child with disabilities are met.
• Collaborates with local education agencies (LEA's) and special service providers to ensure integrated, coordinated provision of special services to include joint parent and staff training and Child Find activities.
• Initiates community partnership agreements.
• Develops and implements a strategy that supports a successful transition for children with disabilities or other special needs into the Early Head Start/Head Start Program or from Early Head Start into Head Start or Head Start into kindergarten or another community program.
• Works closely with the Part C Early Intervention Program and Early Head Start to recruit and enroll eligible children into Head Start/Early Head Start.
• Works with supervisor and other management staff in planning and budgeting of funds to assure that the special needs identified in the IEP/IFSP are fully met; that children most in need of an integrated placement and of special assistance are served; and that the program maintains the level of fiscal support to children with disabilities consistent with the congressional mandate to meet their special needs as well as other community-based programs.
• Assists the staff persons working in the Family and Community Partnerships area and family services staff (case managers) in compiling current resource information related to disability services.
• Provides technical support to the teachers and other staff as needed.
• Assists in implementing intervention strategies within the classroom or home-based setting with the intent for teachers and other staff to be able to carry out strategies independently.
• Provides services to Head Start/Early Head Start families with children with disabilities in cooperation with other agencies/providers.
• Oversees referral of parents and children to other agencies/providers.
• Identifies and works with community resources for the provision of services to children with disabilities.
• Complies with all Health and Safety policies, including ensuring no child is left alone or unsupervised by staff, consultants, contractors, or volunteers while under my care.

Implementation and Recordkeeping — Mental Health Services

• Writes, reviews, and revises the Mental Health Work Plan annually.
• Develops a system for administering and monitoring the work plan.
• Maintains a system for providing mental health education to families through workshops, parent meetings, handouts, etc.
• Establishes a system for providing mental health education to families through workshops, parent meetings, handouts, etc.
• Develops a system for continuous monitoring and evaluation of activities within the program.
• Keeps complete records and documentation of all contacts.
• Develops a system for the maintenance of individual mental health records on children to tie in with the master child record.
• Maintains mental health records and other data affecting mental health services.
• Works with health and education staff to collect data for mental health screening using a program-approved screening tool.
• Takes The Lead On The Following:
• Identifies and is Knowledgeable of Mental Health Resources.
• Establishes relationships and develops a thorough knowledge of mental health resources for families, including Medicaid, the state CHIP Program, state mental health services, and other community resources that assist families in accessing mental health services.
• Establishes, Negotiates, and Monitors Contracts with Mental Health Service Providers.
• Establishes contracts with mental health professionals to provide services to the Head Start/Early Head Start program as necessary. Contracts may include consultant and/or volunteer services.
• Mental Health Curriculum: Responsible for developing a developmentally appropriate mental health education curriculum in conjunction with the staff person responsible for early childhood education services for children and parents that can be integrated into program activities.
• Mental Health Training: Establishes a yearly system of training and mental health education for staff, including mental wellness, stress, burnout, etc.
• Documents as required by performance standards in the agency T/TA Log.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards including specific knowledge of the Disabilities (1308) portion of the standards.
• Assists in the development of protocols as necessary to support the least restrictive environment for children.
• Works with the staff person responsible for the Health Services Advisory Committee in planning, convening, and implementation and attends the meetings regularly.
• Oversees the screening, re-screening, and follow-up for all mental health services.
• Participates in staffing of children and is responsible for all mental health recommendations, as necessary.
• Serves as or arranges for mental health resource specialists to teachers, home visitors, and family service staff.
• Provides resource information to staff and families on an as-needed basis.
• Assists in providing current information for the Community Resource Guide.
• Fulfills state and federal regulations pertaining to child abuse and neglect, and maintains strict confidentiality of all information.
• Coordinates with family and community partnership staff in this area.
• Works closely with disabilities services staff in the assessment process and follow-up to assure that the special needs of each child with disabilities are met.
• Arranges for mental health services to Head Start/Early Head Start families in cooperation with other agencies/providers.
• Oversees referral of parents and children to other agencies/providers as needed.
• Arranges for a mental health consultant to be available for staff meetings, parent training sessions, etc., as indicated.
• Develops community resources for the provision of services to children with mental health concerns.
• Collaborates with early childhood education staff to facilitate the integration of mental health and inclusion activities in the classroom curriculum.
• Works with staff to assist teachers in identifying children who show signs of stress such as possible serious depression, withdrawal, anxiety, or abuse.
• Observes regularly in assigned classrooms, or ensures that a mental health consultant observes and provides consultation related to mental health issues.
• Acts as a liaison for families seeking drug, alcohol, and other mental health assistance within the community.
• Arranges for play therapy and other services as needed.