Disabilities/Mental Health Services Specialist

AKA Head Start•El Cajon, CA

About The Position

All Kids Academy Head Start is seeking a Disabilities/Mental Health Services Specialist. Join our team in the mission to close the achievement gap by providing quality school readiness programs and comprehensive services to children, families, and communities in East County. Summary: Under supervision of the Manager of Education and Home Based Services, the Disabilities/Mental Health Services Specialist will work to support the social and emotional development of preschool age, infants and toddlers enrolled in AKA Head Start. Develops, implements, coordinates and evaluates special education services and methods for both staff and families in providing the overall health approach to program services. Services must be coordinated with Program Support Manager. Plans and administers the disabilities and mental health services on an individualized basis for children and families. Hours per week: 40 Weeks per year: 45

Requirements

Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or Early Childhood
Development, Early Intervention, or related degree (with minimum of six (6) classes with
primary focus on ECE/ECD). Master’s degree preferred
Knowledge and experience in working with early childhood Mental Health and Disabilities services
Valid CA Driver’s License and access to vehicle transportation
Treatment strategies in the area of child behavior management
Strategies in the area of family crisis interventions
MS Word, Power point, Excel and Outlook
Community resources and how to access services and maintenance of required documentation
Standard record keeping including progress notes and maintenance of required documentation
Human behavior and motivation
Utilize agency resources, technologies, and libraries to appropriately answer questions and provides guidance to staff and parents
Train and provide presentations to large and small groups
Collaborate with and have working knowledge of local community resources related to Mental Health
Communicate (verbally and with the written word) effectively and appropriately with others
Work independently as well as in a team environment
Maintain a sustained concentration and attention to detail and accuracy
Prioritize and manage workloads and deadlines
Meet the needs of all children specifically those with special needs, challenging behaviors, at risk, gifted, and culturally diverse populations
Work with teachers in implementing child behavior management strategies
Work with families in a supportive manner throughout the diagnostic and referral processes
Work with staff to improve their own mental health and to empower them, in turn, to provide supportive services to children and families
Arrange for services or provide counseling and treatment for children and families with diagnosed problems
Must have the ability to sit for extended periods
Must be able to work at a computer for extended periods
Specific vision abilities include close vision, distant vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus
Must be able to hear and speak
Work in classroom with children
Visit sites on a daily basis as needed
Must be able to regularly stand to file miscellaneous documents in filing cabinets
Occasionally bend, stoop, and lift up to 25 pounds

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred

Responsibilities

Ensures an integrated and comprehensive system of services for children with disabilities offered by AKA Head Start and outside agencies in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards and applicable laws and state regulations
Provides classroom, CDE CSPP, Title 5, and child observations, and child development and behavior screening and assessments
Facilitates positive behavior support planning, offering recommendations for children with behavioral challenges
Collaborates, models, and assists education staff and parents with the implementation of behavior regulation and positive behavior support plans following SOPs
Develops and monitors support plans for children, evaluating plans for effectiveness and follow-through, modifying as necessary
Provides on-site role modeling, coaching and consultation with teaching staff
Works one-on-one with children as needed, offering individualized guidance and demonstrating effective practices.
Develops and provides training and technical assistance to staff and parents on behavior and emotional regulation techniques
Coordinates and collaborates closely with the licensed Mental Health Consultant to plan, organize, and implement appropriate strategies, services, and supports for children, ensuring that interventions are appropriate for each child’s individual needs and the needs of the classroom.
Observes the children with special needs and provides the teacher and parents with additional strategies that will strengthen the child's skill development.
Maintains records of service, and provides parents/guardians and staff with techniques to use with children who have challenging behaviors and may conduct trainings for teaching staff on an individualized basis as needed
Maintains record keeping and reporting systems, including service plans, schedules, timelines, SOPs for disabilities and mental health services in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards, CDE, CSPP, Title 5, and applicable laws and state regulations
Ensures coordination of communication with teaching staff, parents, program consultants and community to enhance services to children and families
Ensures effective transition planning for children with disabilities and their families to school districts.
Seek and partner with community organizations that offer services in the Disabilities and Mental Health field.

Benefits

Group medical, dental, and vision insurance
403(b) retirement plan with up to 6% employer match
Annual 5% pay rate increases, up to the maximum step
16 Paid holidays
Paid vacation and sick leave
Two paid personal days
$1500 Tuition Reimbursement each year
$1000 Service Awards every 5 years
Employer-paid Life, AD&D, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Voluntary benefits: Life and AD&D, Accident Insurance, Short-term Disability, Critical Illness Insurance, and Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
Paid professional development days