EHS/ECEAP Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant (IECMHC)

Educational Service District 112 • ESD 112 - Service Region, WA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

Under the general direction of an Early Care & Education (ECE) Manager, this position provides on-site early childhood mental health consultation services in ESD 112-operated early childhood centers, as well as our home-based EHS programs. Consultation is focused on strengthening the capacity of early learning providers, families and systems to promote positive social and emotional development, and to prevent, identify and reduce the impact of mental health challenges among children and families. Children served in these programs range in age from prenatal to 5 years and the adults who care for them. Working as a Mental Health Consultant in Early Care and Education is one of the most rewarding positions I've had as a Clinical Social Worker; Not only does the role challenge me to apply and draw from various clinical tools and past experiences, but it also provides the flexibility for me to offer mental health support outside of a traditional treatment setting and in partnership with early childhood professionals and families during a pivotal period in human development. This is an ideal role for someone who loves community-based work and helping to normalize and promote mental wellness practices in early education.

Requirements

• Licensed by the Washington State Department of Health as a mental health counselor, marriage and family therapist, social worker, psychologist, psychiatrist, or psychiatric nurse; or Approved by the Washington State Department of Health as an agency-affiliated or certified counselor, with a Master's Degree in counseling, social work, or related field; or Credentialed by the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction as a school counselor, social worker, or psychologist.
• Experience with young children birth-5.
• Infant Mental Health Endorsement.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, cultural differences in mental health, diversity informed tenets, and community resources.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and organizational skills.
• Regular travel within SW Washington to attend appointments, meetings and training sessions.
• Occasional travel throughout the state.
• Regular attendance during scheduled work hours.
• Occasional work on evenings and weekends.
• When supporting ESD programs, the physical environment may include office setting, childcare, preschool programs, families' homes, or community work sites.
• Job involves sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, reaching, grasping, bending, stooping, crouching, pushing, and/or pulling.
• Successful completion of a criminal history and fingerprint check through Department of Children, Youth and Families.
• Tuberculosis test to meet state health requirements.
• Health Exam.
• Proof of MMR vaccination or exemption.

Responsibilities

• Foster a positive attitude toward early childhood mental health and approaches based on the Office of Head Start National Centers Mental Health Competencies and the Georgetown Model of Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation.
• Engage in relationship-building and collaboration with early care and education providers, family members, ESD 112 ECE support staff, and external partners resulting in a coordinated approach to early childhood mental health supports, resources and referrals.
• Use skills, knowledge and expertise in trauma-informed, resiliency building and strength-based practices to identify needs of children, families and staff that inform mental well-being, child development, positive parenting and teaching practices.
• Implement a strengths-based approach and anti-bias lens when providing regular classroom consultation to staff in inclusive, developmentally appropriate, effective, and differentiated approaches that support each child’s mental well-being, social-emotional development and positive classroom environments.
• Provide consultation to early learning staff regarding children with an identified special need, or with information and support for providing inclusive services and preventing expulsion that is inclusive of mental health screening and assessment results that inform individualized support and goal setting for children and families.
• Facilitate observations during home and classroom visits and provide feedback and recommendations to families and staff focused on strengthening attachments and nurturing adult/child interactions that may result in written plans.
• Conduct standardized developmental, behavioral, and/or social-emotional screens, observations and assessments for individual children as assigned or referred for consultation.
• Provide guidance and model developmentally appropriate activities practices and effective ways to work with and support young children focused on supporting children’s social emotional development and mental health.
• Support staff regarding emergent issues, such as child abuse, domestic violence, and other mental health concerns.
• Collaborate with program and direct service staff to strengthen practices, tied to on-going continuous quality improvement efforts, including monitoring and follow up.
• Maintain regular attendance to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Uphold the Vision, Values, and Commitment to Professionalism of the ECE Department at ESD 112.
• Regular participation in reflective supervision, training, and other learning to support and improve practices and approaches, over time.
• Maintain strong professional boundaries.
• Maintain documentation in the program database.
• Participate in multi-disciplinary case conferencing team meetings.
• Other duties as assigned, must be flexible and responsive to meet the changing needs and demands of the programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level