Classroom Consultant/Trainer First Five

Directions for Living•Largo, FL

6d•Remote

About The Position

The First Five program will provide trauma-informed care to support children and families by strengthening and enhancing services in early learning centers. First Five has an overarching goal of helping early learning center teachers create a trauma-informed culture in their classrooms. Through classroom observation, First Five identifies children needing behavioral support. There are two pathways of service depending on the level of complexity and risk of expulsion that a child is experiencing. This is a professional position providing clinical consultation in the First Five program. The Classroom Consultant will focus on relationship development with early learning center staff in tandem with observations in the centers. Additionally, the Classroom Consultant will focus on early learning center staff trainings, technical support, classroom consultation activities, the IDT process, child-specific intervention services, and, if needed, in-home family services. The classroom services will primarily focus on early learning center staff practicing the tools and skills learned during formal training sessions in concert with creating a learning environment that honors the principles of trauma-informed care. Additionally, the Classroom Consultant will work in partnership with the Subject Matter Expert (SME) to assist staff to set-up classrooms designed for 1:1 intervention and spaces that allow for techniques that facilitate prosocial behaviors (e.g., calm down space, yoga techniques, deep breathing). Through classroom observation, the Classroom Consultant identifies children needing behavioral support to determine which of the two pathways of service are most appropriate depending on the level of complexity (low, moderate, or high) that a child is experiencing. Additionally, the Classroom Consultant will also provide immediate on-site access to classroom-based mental health consultation for all critical incidents such as a child harming themselves or another child, property destruction, and all other situations that could typically result in a child’s expulsion from the early learning center. After addressing incidents with the relevant child and staff, and drafting any communication that is necessary to go home to those children’s families, the Classroom Consultant and team will follow up with a debriefing session with all staff related to the incident to focus on what we did well and what we can do better for future incidents of this nature. This position will work closely with members of the First Five team such as: Behavior Specialist, Clinician, Subject Matter Expert and -Director and in collaboration with the early learning staff to provide complete comprehensive services. Directions for Living is an essential services provider. Responsible to meet client service hours of 120 hours monthly. This is a field based position. Directions for Living is an essential services provider. All Directions for Living employees must be willing and able to provide vital support and essential services to the people that we serve in the event of an emergency, pandemic or other disaster situation.

Requirements

Master’s Degree in Social Work or related area of study from an accredited university.
At least 2 years of experience working with children age 0-5.
Willing and able to provide vital support and essential services in the event of an emergency, pandemic or other disaster situation.

Nice To Haves

Experience with behavior assessment and modification.
Experience working with at-risk populations to include young children who have experienced trauma and families experiencing substance misuse, domestic violence, mental health, and emotionally disturbed children.
Previous child welfare experience.
Previous behavioral health/child welfare experience and/or certification.

Responsibilities

Provide clinical consultation in the First Five program.
Focus on relationship development with early learning center staff.
Conduct observations in early learning centers.
Conduct early learning center staff trainings.
Provide technical support to early learning center staff.
Engage in classroom consultation activities.
Participate in the IDT process.
Provide child-specific intervention services.
Provide in-home family services if needed.
Assist staff to set-up classrooms designed for 1:1 intervention.
Assist staff to set-up spaces that allow for techniques that facilitate prosocial behaviors.
Identify children needing behavioral support through classroom observation.
Determine appropriate service pathways based on child's complexity and risk.
Provide immediate on-site access to classroom-based mental health consultation for critical incidents.
Draft necessary communication for families regarding incidents.
Conduct debriefing sessions with staff after incidents.
Work closely with members of the First Five team (Behavior Specialist, Clinician, Subject Matter Expert, Director).
Collaborate with early learning staff to provide comprehensive services.
Meet client service hours of 120 hours monthly.
Provide vital support and essential services in the event of an emergency, pandemic, or other disaster situation.