Mental Health & Development Manager

AVANCE-Houston Inc•Houston, TX

14h

About The Position

The Mental Health & Development Manager leads and oversees mental health, developmental, behavioral, and disabilities services. The role develops, implements, and monitors systems and practices that support high-quality services and compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS), applicable regulations, and agency policies. The manager collaborates with program leadership to support integrated service delivery, school readiness, and continuous quality improvement, and assists with contracts and Request for Proposal (RFP) processes. The position oversees identification, referral, evaluation, service coordination, and follow-up for children with suspected or identified developmental, behavioral, and mental health concerns. It coordinates contracted professionals and community partners, supports individualized plans and strategies, and ensures staff and families have relevant information and resources. The manager also monitors disability-related Head Start requirements and supports implementation of IDEA-related plans, accommodations, behavior supports, and inclusive practices. The role promotes family engagement and supports staff through training, coaching, technical assistance, consultation, and access to community resources. It reviews data and outcomes, maintains confidential and accurate records, supports continuous quality improvement, and recommends hiring, supervision, coaching, and evaluation of assigned staff. Travel may be required, and other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in psychology, counseling, social work, child development, special education, early childhood education, human services, or a related field.
At least three years of progressively responsible experience in delivery, coordination, or management of mental health, developmental, disabilities, social work, counseling, or educational services.
At least one year of experience in a supervisory, leadership, or program management capacity.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in psychology, counseling, social work, child development, special education, early childhood education, human services, or a related field.
Five years of progressively responsible experience in mental health, developmental, disabilities, social work, counseling, or educational services, including two to three years of supervisory or management experience.
Experience in Head Start, Early Head Start, Early Childhood Intervention (ECI), special education, or other early childhood programs.

Responsibilities

Develop, implement, and monitor systems, procedures, and practices for mental health, developmental, behavioral, and disabilities services in compliance with HSPPS, applicable regulations, and agency policies.
Provide leadership and oversight to ensure high-quality service delivery and regulatory compliance.
Collaborate with the Assistant Director of Health, Mental Health and Development, and Nutrition and other program leaders on integrated services, school readiness goals, and continuous quality improvement.
Assist with developing, procuring, implementing, and monitoring contracts and RFP processes related to mental health, developmental, and disabilities services.
Supervise, guide, and oversee Mental Health and Development Associates, including coaching, consultation, training, referrals, and follow-up activities.
Prepare reports, data summaries, correspondence, and documentation for program operations, governance, audits, monitoring reviews, and regulatory reporting.
Oversee identification, referral, evaluation, service coordination, and follow-up systems for children with suspected or identified developmental, behavioral, and mental health concerns.
Coordinate and monitor contracted mental health professionals, developmental specialists, evaluators, and community partners.
Support development, implementation, and monitoring of individualized plans and strategies addressing children’s developmental, behavioral, and social-emotional needs.
Ensure staff and families receive information, resources, and support related to child development, social-emotional well-being, behavior guidance, and mental health services.
Monitor compliance with Head Start requirements for enrollment, participation, and inclusion of children with disabilities.
Provide staff and families with education, guidance, and technical assistance regarding IDEA, IFSPs, IEPs, and applicable Head Start requirements.
Collaborate with Education leadership, Education Coaches, and other program leaders to support implementation of IFSPs, IEPs, accommodations, behavior support plans, and inclusive practices.
Monitor the effectiveness of training, coaching, consultation, and technical assistance provided by Mental Health and Development Associates.
Monitor referrals, evaluations, eligibility determinations, service delivery, and transitions for children with suspected or identified disabilities.
Establish and maintain partnerships with LEAs, ECI programs, healthcare providers, mental health professionals, and community organizations.
Promote family engagement and support nurturing, responsive relationships and environments at home and in program settings.
Provide staff training, coaching, technical assistance, and consultation on child development, social-emotional development, behavior support, inclusion, trauma-informed care, and mental health topics.
Help families and staff access community resources and services for children’s developmental, behavioral, and mental health needs.
Review and analyze program data, monitoring reports, service outcomes, and child-level information to identify trends, ensure compliance, and support data-driven decisions.
Implement and monitor continuous quality improvement activities related to mental health, developmental, behavioral, and disabilities services.
Ensure confidentiality, accuracy, and maintenance of records and documentation in accordance with regulations and agency policies.
Recommend hiring, supervision, coaching, and evaluation of Mental Health and Development Associates and other assigned staff.
Support staff professional growth through coaching, training, and performance management.
Attend meetings, workshops, conferences, and professional development activities as required or assigned.
Travel as necessary to perform assigned duties.
Perform other duties as assigned.