Mental Health/Disability Specialist

About the role

The Mental Health/Disability Specialist collaborates with classroom staff to identify children needing individualized developmental and behavioral services. They recommend and demonstrate strategies to help children adapt and succeed in both the classroom and at home. Additionally, they refer children for additional evaluations and provide mental health consultations.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with classroom staff to identify children with developmental and behavioral needs.
• Attend Multidisciplinary Case Reviews to recommend strategies for successful classroom adaptation.
• Develop and lead Program Intervention Plans (PIPs) and Behavior Safety Plans (BSPs).
• Mentor teachers in using strategies recommended by classroom staff.
• Collaborate with Mental Health and Disabilities Coordinator to make referrals to partner agencies and assist with IEP/IFSP recommendations.
• Observe children in classrooms and home settings to identify potential concerns.
• Initiate referrals to CAET for review and recommendations.
• Communicate with parents about children's developmental and behavioral screenings and any identified concerns.
• Support families in pursuing referrals for developmental/speech evaluations and mental/behavioral health services.
• Monitor progress of referrals and link families to community support services as needed.
• Collaborate with the entire MHDB team, sharing duties with team members and attending Health Literacy events.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree (B.S./B.A.) in early childhood education, social work, or related field (9 hours of Early Childhood coursework may be required if education does not meet this requirement).
• If an Associate's Degree is held, five years of relevant experience and an educational plan to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field is required.
• Three years of experience in Early Childhood Education or Childhood Mental Health and Disabilities, working with children who have IEPs/IFSPs or Behavioral Plans.
• Building rapport with children, families, and staff, and effective teamwork skills.
• Sensitivity to cultural differences and ability to maintain a calm, professional demeanor.
• Confidentiality and professional boundaries, along with the ability to prioritize workload and respond to emergent situations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, computer literacy, and regular on-time attendance.

Benefits

The Mental Health/Disability Specialist position is $18.24 per hour, 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year. Benefits include Medical/Dental/Vision plans, company-paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability coverage, 403(b) retirement plan, 9 paid holidays each year, and more!