Job Posting CLOSED
Mental Health Specialist - May 2024
Position: Mental
Health Specialist
Program: Head
Start/Early Head Start
Reports
to: Education & Special Needs Coordinator
Status: Full
Time, Non-Exempt, Full Year
Schedule: Monday through
Friday, 8am-4pm
Starting Wage: Starting at $29.66 per hour (additional
$4.00/hour for counseling)
Job Function: Provides direct services to children and families
and/or support services to the Educations/Specials Needs functional area
in the areas of appropriate intervention and/or referral, promotion of
positive mental health practices, and appropriate prevention strategies. This
will be done in compliance with the Head Start Performance Standards, program
policies and procedures, and state and county regulations.
Essential Duties
and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be
assigned.
· Provide approximately 35-40 hours of direct and/or indirect
services per week to the CAPCO Head Start/Early Head Start program. The type
and time of such services will be determined by the mutual consent of the CAPCO
Head Start/Early Head Start program administration, staff and families.
· Observe all Head Start/Early Head Start classrooms on a
regular basis.
· Work with the Education and Special Needs functional areas
(Pyramid Team) to implement and monitor age appropriate social emotional
curriculums and strategies in the classroom setting.
· Support Head Start and Early Head Start staff in the
creation and implementation of positive behavior support plans.
· Advise and assist in developmental and Social/Emotional
screenings and assessments; Complete weekly attendance progress notes for
counseling children.
· Aid in determining the need for evaluations and provide
referrals, as necessary, to CPSE and/or other appropriate agencies. Document
referrals in conjunction with the Education/Special Needs Coordinator and
Special Needs Assistant.
· Assure the active involvement of parents in planning and
implementing the individual mental health/behavioral needs of their children.
· Attend CPSE/CES meetings when appropriate or requested.;
Complete quarterly IEP progress reporting for counseling children.
· Respond to training requests by CAPCO Head Start/Early Head
Start staff and/or parents.
· Conduct home visits as requested by families, Home Based
Visitors, and/or Family Advocates.
· Meet with enrolled expectant mothers once before and once
after
· Offer social/emotional support to expectant mothers in the
Early Head Start program. This includes screening for postpartum depression.
· Advise in the utilization of community Mental Health
resources and referrals for staff and families.
· Participate in regular meetings with the Education/Special
Needs Coordinator, Special Needs Assistant, and pyramid team.
· Complete monthly mental health reports for policy council;
Complete monthly BIR Data.
· As per CAPCO Head Start/Early Head Start requirements, the
Mental Health Specialist needs to follow the Confidentiality Policy, CPS
reporting procedures, and be aware of the Community Complaint Procedures.
· Familiarize him/herself with community resources.
Education and/or Experience: Master's
degree (MSW) CSP or related degree required; plus four to ten years’ experience
in the mental health field to include knowledge of treatment strategies in the
areas of child behavior management and family crisis intervention; Licensed
& Registered Psychiatrist, Licensed & Registered Psychologist, Licensed
Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) or
equivalent combination of education and experience.
Requirements: Acceptable
NYS Driver's License. Clearance through the NYS Maltreatment Registry. Must
complete Daycare regulation trainings as required. Physical Examination, TB Testing upon hire. Fingerprinting
for criminal background per the standards set forth by daycare licensing. Must
be able to travel to all Head Start sites, training, visits, etc. as necessary
and requested.
Physical Demands &
Work Environment: The physical demands described here
are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully
perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be
made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
functions.
While performing the
duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to
finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear and taste or
smell. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and climb or balance.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific
vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision.
CAPCO is
an Equal Opportunity Employer and we do not discriminate against employees or
applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis including, but not
limited to: veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color,
religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, and physical or mental disability.
CAPCO will make reasonable accommodations for qualified candidates in adherence
of the Americans with Disabilities Act and New York Human Rights Act.