Mental Health & Disabilities Aide

Plaza De La Raza Child Development Services Inc•Industry, CA

2d•$22 - $23•Onsite

About The Position

Under general direction of the Mental Health and Disabilities Coordinator, this role assists in implementing services for children with disabilities and/or suspected disabilities. The aide helps establish effective ways to meet the needs of children and their families, ensuring smooth transitions between early childhood programs and public schools. Additionally, the aide supports the Mental Health and Disability Coordinator in implementing mental health services and connecting families with necessary resources.

Requirements

Knowledge of the referral process to Local Education Agencies (LEAs).
Knowledge of the assessment of children who have potential disabilities.
Knowledge of Individualized Education Plan (IEPs) and Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP) processes.
Knowledge of Parents' Rights in special education.
Ability to read, write, and understand work-related material.
Ability to work with children and families from diverse populations.
Ability to effectively communicate with children and families, and find ways to communicate in their native language.
Ability to understand and implement the referral process.
Ability to travel to Head Start/Early Head Start centers, community agencies, and IEP/IFSP meetings.
Ability to perform clerical skills such as filing, record-keeping, follow-up, documentation, and computer data entry.
Ability to collaborate effectively with other areas in a multidisciplinary approach.
Ability to interpret special education material (IEPs, IFSPs, assessment reports) for intervention, follow-up, and referral purposes.
Successful completion of an initial health examination.
Proof of absence of Tuberculosis.
Documentation of current immunizations against Influenza, Measles (MMR), and Pertussis (TDAP).
Fingerprint clearances from the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Child Abuse Index.
Completed and signed statement of any pending and/or prior criminal arrests/charges/convictions related to child sexual abuse, child abuse and neglect, and/or violent felonies.
Verification of eligibility for employment in the United States.
A valid California driver’s license and the availability of private transportation or the ability to obtain transportation.
Must be a mandated reporter of child abuse and immediately report any suspected child abuse and/or neglect to Child Protective Services.
Maintains confidentiality in accordance with Agency policy and legal requirements.
Respects and maintains rights and privacy of all staff, parents, and children.
Works as a team member with all staff and maintain a positive work ethic.
Acts conscientiously in performing routine duties.
Adheres to Plaza de la Raza's Standard of Conduct, including respecting and promoting the unique identity of each child and family, following program confidentiality policies, maintaining visual observation of children at all times, using positive methods of child guidance, not employing methods of discipline that involve isolation or denial of basic needs, not soliciting or accepting personal gratuities, maintaining professional relationships, refraining from unlawful substance use in the workplace, adhering to program eligibility determination regulations, and enrolling eligible pregnant women and children.

Nice To Haves

An Associate’s degree in child development, social services, liberal arts, or psychology is highly preferred.
Some coursework or training in social sciences and working with persons with disabilities is desirable.
Two years of work experience working with children with disabilities and/or behavioral problems on an individual or group basis is desirable.
Bi-lingual in a language reflective of the population served is preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist in the recruitment of children and communicate the importance of services for children with disabilities/mental health concerns.
Ensure that at least 10% of the total Head Start population served meets the criteria for disabilities condition.
Support the attainment of expected outcomes in Individualized Family Services Plans (IFSP) and/or Individual Education Programs (IEP), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act for children with disabilities/mental health concerns.
Maintain effective communication with community-based organizations and service providers.
Assist with the preparation, inventory, control, ordering, and distribution of disabilities and mental health resources and supplies.
Arrange, prepare, and conduct trainings and technical assistance for staff and parents.
Review and analyze screening results to identify children possibly requiring further assessment.
Ensure that assessments and diagnoses are made by licensed/certified professionals within the timelines of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and utilize appropriate forms and reporting procedures.
Train new Family Services staff on providing services to families.
Provide support, technical assistance, and guidance to Family Services staff.
Inform teaching staff about normal development and common behavioral problems in children.
Assist parents in recognizing ways to further their children's intellectual, emotional, and social development at home through individual and group meetings.
Attend meetings with outside agencies as assigned.
Ensure that assessments, transfer of records, eligibility and planning meetings, and other necessary activities are conducted in a timely and appropriate manner.
Maintain open communication with other area staff to ensure necessary services are provided to children with disabilities/mental health concerns.
Develop and maintain a centralized record-keeping system ensuring confidentiality of individual child records.
Complete classroom observations to record children's progress/needs, and attend home visits with teaching staff as necessary.
Orient parents with the objectives of the Mental Health Program and help them achieve their goals.
Compile and maintain a file on community mental health resources and update it annually.
Provide families with emergency assistance or crisis intervention.
Implement follow-up procedures, including ensuring timely mental health services and encouraging families to follow up on referrals to outside agencies.
Assist in compiling background information on families to enhance staff understanding of children's individual needs or problems.
Meet with the Mental Health and Inclusion Coordinator for planning and evaluation.
Assist parents in arranging for a smooth transition of children to the public school system.
Assist teaching staff in supervising children when necessary.
Encourage the participation of parents of children with disabilities/mental health concerns in the classroom.
Follow up on children with disabilities/mental health concerns to ensure they have obtained appropriate placement and special education services.
Monitor classroom Daily Lesson Plans to ensure children's goals and objectives are recorded and implemented.
Obtain parental consents, facilitate participation in classroom activities, and assist parents with advocacy in dealing with service providers.
Advocate with families of children with disabilities for appropriate educational services.
Ensure IEP/IFSP is translated into the parent's native language and offered in written translation.
Perform any duty necessary for the implementation of the goals and objectives of the Disabilities/Mental Health Program.
Perform other duties as assigned.