Mental Health Coordinator

Community Action Corporation•Alice, TX

About The Position

Responsive recruiter General Summary Provides leadership, staff development and technical assistance to Program clusters and classroom staff in the planning, development, implementation, management, and evaluation of disability and mental health services for the Head Start 0-5 Program. Assists the staff to identify the children with disabilities to meet their special needs and those of their parents. Plans and schedules arrangements with other agencies to assure timely efficient services.

Requirements

At least 3 years experience in Head Start
A Bachelor's degree preferably related to the discipline they oversee.
Must have a valid driver’s license, safe driving record and acceptance by the Agency’s vehicle insurance carrier are required.
Must pass TDFPS background check.
Must pass pre-employment physical.
Obtain annual health certificate
Additional annual certification and training in the following are required: First Aid Certification and Adult and Infant / Toddler CPR Certification.
Must attend 24 clock hours of professional development and staff training per year to include training on methods to handle suspected or known child abuse and neglect cases, that comply with applicable federal, state, local and tribal laws, training that builds their knowledge, experience and competencies to improve child and family outcomes and any other training as outlined by the Head Start Program Performance Standards and Minimum Standards from the State of Texas.
Good communication skills, in written and oral forms, are necessary.
Computer skills and experience in maintaining automated record keeping systems are required.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual ability (Spanish/English) is preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist in conducting the annual community assessment of the service area disability and mental health needs and participates in the program–wide Self–Assessment.
Guides the development of annual quantitative and qualitative goals and objectives for disability and mental health services in the Head Start Program including each cluster area and the classroom.
Serves as a training and technical assistance resource and works closely with staff to achieve qualitative and quantitative disabilities and mental health outcomes by providing instructional material, performing on-site assessments and analysis, developing and providing training for identified issues.
Organizes, schedules, and participates in the Admission, Review, and Dismissal meetings, to include: the compilation of appropriate documents, progress reports and assist families to have input on developing individual goals as they participate in the Individualized Education (IEP) and Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP).IEP’s and progress reports.
Utilize the inter-agency referral form to track and assure that children with disabilities and mental health concerns are referred and receive the necessary services in a timely manner.
Assures that all children receiving services for disabilities and mental health have been professionally diagnosed within a timeline that is in accordance with the Head Start Program Performance Standards.
Designs systems and processes and recommends practices in the disability and mental health content area to support the growth and development of children and parents, and to assure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, School Readiness Goals and other applicable requirements. Works closely with other content area to provide comprehensive services.
Guides the development of an efficient system for documentation and reporting for the disability and mental health services, including instruments used to assess and measure the number of disability and mental health services provided and assures compliance with the Head Start Performance Standards and other applicable requirements.
Assist in collecting and analyzing child outcome data from the DECA, and the mental health tracking on a monthly basis to determine training and technical assistance needs, trends and areas of improvement.
Provides documentation, prepare reports and other data as directed to include supplies, equipment, training and other costs as directed by the immediate supervisor.
Provide and/or coordinate training and educational opportunities for parents and develop links to area-related agencies and organizations.
Utilizes and maintains current information, material, guides and other resources and community organizations and disseminates materials to staff on a regular basis.
Assist staff in the selection of materials and equipment being used in the classroom at a given time to meet the needs of special needs children.
Support cluster staff with concerns of the classroom environment and inclusion of children with special needs. Guides staff and parents concerning screening, assessments and referrals.
Networks with community organizations in order to promote the Head Start Program.
Complies with the Program’s confidentiality policy.
Any other duty as assigned by the Disabilities and Mental Health Manager.