Districtwide Mental Health Specialist (Certified)-1.0 FTE

Fayette County Public Schools•Lexington, KY

15h•Onsite

About The Position

Provides a functional, comprehensive program of direct services for all children utilizing the expertise gained through professional training in the areas of school counseling and mental health. These services will emphasize counseling children; consultation with teachers, parents and other significant adults; and coordinating a variety of activities and functions related to the mental health, academic, social, emotional and physical needs of students.

Requirements

Masters’ Degree in either School Counseling, Social Work or School Psychology
School Counseling Certification, School Social Work Certification or School Psychology Certification is required.
Skills and knowledge in dealing with multicultural populations
Maintains a clean, welcoming and child centered counseling area

Nice To Haves

Three years of professional clinical experience and licensure is preferred.
Willingness to provide clinical supervision to peers

Responsibilities

Provides individual and groups counseling for students to address specific social emotional needs and monitor progress
Provides evidence based and culturally responsive best practices when working with youth
Consults with teachers and parents about children’s needs, social emotional well-being, concerns and academic issues
Collaborates with school staff and community representatives in assessing student needs and utilizes the data to develop prevention and intervention plans
Provides home visits as needed to assess family circumstances and make needed referrals to community resources for problems interfering with the child’s academic progress, social, emotional or physical development
Works with parents and staff to help increase their understanding and constructive participation in appropriate efforts to help alleviate barriers to students social emotional well being
Serves as a resource person on the Special Education Admissions and Release Committee when appropriate
Works in collaboration with other student support professionals to conduct social emotional screenings
Contacts parents to obtain signed permission to work with the student and further assess student needs
Maintains documentation in the IC Student Support Professional program
Refers students to the proper authorities for child abuse or neglect when suspicion exists and provides support services to those children as needed
Selects and attends professional development as required by the State and District
Maintains all professional certifications and Licensure requirements
Demonstrates the ability to communicate in more than one language or the willingness to learn to communicate in more than one language at the novice level of proficiency.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Maintains regular attendance.