Mental Health and Wellness Specialist

Acelero Learning • Milwaukee, WI

84d • $82,739

About The Position

Acelero, Inc. is seeking a Mental Health and Wellness Specialist to lead trauma-informed, resilience-focused strategies across our Early Head Start and Head Start programs—advancing our mission to eliminate the gaps between young children’s potential and their success in school and life. The Mental Health and Wellness Specialist is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive mental health and wellness strategy for children, families, and staff in the Early Head Start and Head Start programs. This role integrates trauma-informed care, resilience-focused practices, and system-wide behavioral health initiatives to ensure inclusive, supportive, and well-structured mental health environments.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Clinical Psychology, Early Childhood Education, or a related field required.
• State licensure or certification as a Mental Health Provider required.
• Experience with Child Study Teams, Part C, and IEP/IFSP state protocols preferred.
• At least 5 years of experience in child mental health, early education, or a related field.
• Proven ability to design and deliver training and professional development on mental health and wellness.
• Strong knowledge of trauma-informed care, behavioral health interventions, and culturally responsive mental health practices.
• Experience working with children and families in diverse, low-income communities.
• Ability to travel locally or long-distance up to 10% for work-related meetings and events.
• Valid driver’s license, vehicle insurance, and access to reliable personal transportation (mileage reimbursement available).
• Successful completion of a physical exam and background checks.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a trauma-informed, culturally competent mental health and wellness framework for children, families, and staff across Early Head Start, Head Start, and Home Visiting programs.
• Create and share resources to help staff identify and address mental, social, and emotional health challenges, including trauma, and promote proactive intervention strategies.
• Design and lead professional development and coaching that builds staff capacity to support child mental health, well-being, and classroom behavior.
• Conduct classroom observations and case consultations to assess needs, guide behavioral strategies, and recommend referrals to external mental health or early intervention services.
• Engage families through mental health education, home learning activities, and collaborative care strategies that support emotional wellness.
• Coordinate with Family Services and Health teams to ensure children receive required health/mental health screenings and support, in alignment with Head Start standards.
• Support fidelity of implementation through data-driven monitoring, feedback, and action plans to improve mental health strategies across programs.
• Supervise and coach Mental Health and Wellness Coordinators, providing guidance, training, and performance feedback.
• Serve as a crisis resource for staff, offering confidential support and promoting overall staff wellness initiatives.
• Collaborate with leadership to report on program-wide mental health trends and outcomes, informing continuous improvement efforts.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance with multiple plan options to fit your needs.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contributions up to $400/individuals & $800/family annually.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for health and dependent care expenses.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with up to 3% company match.
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability and Basic Life Insurance.
• Up to $500 per year in Professional Development Reimbursements.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with counseling and mental wellness support.
• Wellness Programs, including virtual fitness, nutrition, and mindfulness classes.
• Pet Insurance, Legal Assistance, ID Theft Protection, and Employee Discount Perks.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Master's degree