Mental Health/Disabilities Program Manager (3598)

YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles•Los Angeles, CA

1d•$120,000 - $120,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Mental Health / Disabilities Program Manager will play a pivotal role creating, developing, and delivering the mental health and disabilities services for the early education department for the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles. This role will provide a broad range of services, including individual and classroom-based early childhood mental health consultation, home visits; training and coaching staff; screening assessment and referral services; promotion of group services; and providing parent training. The Program Manager will also collect data, maintain records, and support compliance in all facets of Head Start Performance Standards and State regulations. This role involves conducting mental health assessments and support the disability assessments, supervising specialists, providing direct interventions, crisis management, and consultation services to ensure the social-emotional well-being of children and families served by the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles. The Mental Health / Disabilities Program Manager will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, community partners, and educational staff to create trauma-informed, culturally responsive environments that align with state and federal program requirements. These include California State Preschool Standards; Head Start Performance Standards, California Department of Social Services Standards, and the mission of the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles.

Requirements

Master's degree or higher in Social Sciences or Behavioral Sciences, Mental Health, Psychology, Social Work, or related fields from an accredited higher education institution.
Minimum of seven (7) years of diversified experience working with early childhood programs and/or school districts (Head Start/Early Head Start preferred), social services involving social work, family or mental health counseling, psychology, or related field.
Experience in mental health assessment and intervention strategies for young children and families.
Experience with reflective practice facilitation.
Experience with crisis intervention and emergency mental health protocols.
Three years of management and supervisory experience and work with federal or State mandated programs that are similar in nature to the Early Head Start and Head Start Programs.
Expert knowledge of child development ages 0-5 and trauma-informed care practices.
Experience with evidence-based mental health interventions for young children ages 0-5.
Familiarity with developmental and behavioral screening tools.
Strong documentation and data management skills.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Bilingual capabilities in Spanish and English preferred to serve diverse populations.
Strong verbal and written communications skills
Strong Empathy & Reflective Capacity
Strong cultural competence, sensitivity, and humility
Familiarity with mandated reporting procedures, safety, and risk management.
Knowledge of federal Head Start Performance Standards, California Department of Education Standards for California State Preschool Programs.
Must be able to clear a criminal record background check (DOJ/FBI/CACI).
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), licensed professional counselor (PPSC), or licensed psychologist required
Hold a license for at least two years at the time the services are provided and be in full compliance with all professional continuing education requirements.
California Endorsed- Infant-Family Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist.
Meet BBS qualification to provide intern supervision.
Class “C” driver’s license, proof of insurance and access to reliable transportation required.
YMCA Approved Infant/Pediatric/Adult CPR/First Aid/AED Certification or willingness to obtain within 60 days of employment.
Successful completion of pre-employment physical
Proof of immunizations for pertussis (Tdap), measles (MMR), and influenza (can decline influenza).
TB Test clearance
Ability to conduct assessments in various classrooms, homes, and community settings.
Ability to conduct mental health observations, assessments, and intervention in various classrooms homes, and community settings.
Job is performed in indoor/outdoor environments at multiple program sites throughout the year.
Ability to lift 25-30lbs.
Job is based out of YMCA facility. This is not a remote position.
Reliable transportation, as this position requires regular travel to program sites for assessments, consultations, and crisis response.
This position also requires travel to off-site locations throughout LA County for meetings, training, and other work-related activities.

Nice To Haves

Head Start/Early Head Start preferred
Bilingual capabilities in Spanish and English preferred to serve diverse populations.
California Endorsed- Infant-Family Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist.
YMCA Approved Infant/Pediatric/Adult CPR/First Aid/AED Certification or willingness to obtain within 60 days of employment.

Responsibilities

Oversee developmental and behavioral screening follow-up processes in collaboration with education staff in compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, CSPP Standards, CDSS, and YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles
Complete comprehensive mental health assessments within forty-five calendar days of parental consent for Head Start, 60 Days with state funded and fee based preschool programs.
Conduct classroom and individual observations to identify mental health needs in children.
Utilize standardized assessment tools and evidence-based practices.
Conduct depression screening for pregnant people and primary care takers.
Provide direct mental health consultations and interventions for children and families.
Conduct individual and group consultation sessions as appropriate.
Provide parent and staff training in various mental health topics.
Develop individualized intervention plans in collaboration with families and multidisciplinary teams.
Ensure timely response to mental health referrals (14 calendar days for initial contact, 3 days for urgent situations).
Conduct home visits to assess family dynamics, provide parent coaching on developmental milestones and behavior strategies, and connect families to community resources.
Provide immediate response to mental health emergencies and safety threats.
Implement crisis intervention protocols and coordinate with emergency services when needed.
Support families and staff following traumatic incidents using evidence-based approaches.
Develop and maintain crisis response procedures and train all staff in these procedures.
Maintain confidential mental health files and ensure accurate Child Plus data entry.
Complete all required LACOE standardized forms and documentation.
Conduct monthly reviews of mental health reports and data for ongoing monitoring purposes.
Ensure compliance with federal Head Start Performance Standards and state regulations.
Develop documentation of a behavior plan outlining steps to maintain a child’s participation in a program, in consultation with the teacher and parent, to support children with persistent and challenging behaviors.
Work with Risk Management Dept and Human Resources to establish best practices for care and intervention in early education programs, in alignment with local, state, and federal regulations.
Evaluate current practices and make recommendations for support of program and family outcomes.
Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to develop and document intervention plans for children with persistent and challenging behavior.
Provide monthly on-site mental health consultation at each program site.
Conduct classroom observations and provide consultation to teaching staff.
Collaborate with education coordinators and multidisciplinary teams.
Support staff in implementing trauma-informed care practices.
Work with Association leaders to provide program wide training and development.
Delivery requires training for staff and parents on mental health topics, behavior management, and crisis response.
Develop and implement professional development opportunities related to social-emotional development.
Provide technical assistance to program staff on mental health best practices.
Create educational materials and resources for families and staff.
Participate in program planning and quality improvement initiatives.
Analyze mental health data to identify trends and inform program decisions.
Collaborate with community mental health providers and resources.
Develop partnerships with local mental health organizations.
Participate in health and mental health services advisory committee.
Develop and support Association Strategy for early Learning intervention support services throughout 0-5 programs.
Delivery training, coaching, and consultation services focused on enhancing adult-child relationships, creating nurturing and emotionally responsive environments, strengthening adults’ interactions with children, and families and preventing challenging behaviors, and fostering social-emotional competence.
Provide mental health education and support to families.
Connect families with community resources and services.
Facilitate support groups and workshops for parents and caregivers.
Ensure culturally responsive and family-centered service delivery.
Promote a program wide multi-tiered approach that integrates academic readiness, behavioral and social emotional resources to support the behavioral health and wellness of children, family, and staff and to identify and respond to their needs.
Provide guidance and support to mental health / disability interns and practicum students (must meet the supervision requirements set forth by the licensing boards)
Mentor program staff on mental health and trauma-informed care practices.
Participating in case consultation and peer supervision activities
Supervise Disabilities Specialist
Support professional development through training, technical support and providing resources.
Stay current with best practices in early childhood mental health through continuing education.
Maintain professional licensure and continuing education requirements.
Work closely with education staff, family service coordinators, health coordinators, and other relevant staff.
Collaborate with external mental health providers and community agencies.
Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and case conferences.
Plans, organizes, and coordinates the delivery of a variety of educational and social services programs for several divisions of the organization.
Develops policies, evaluates operating effectiveness, studies program needs and determines staffing and program changes that may be needed.
Addresses issues involving multiple services and coordinates the work of content area specialists.
Assesses needs related to one or more of the following program areas with substantial budget, staff supervision: disabilities, mental health, and social services, compliance audits, and required grant applications and performance standards reporting,
Maintains and periodically updates Family Assessment and Family Partnership Agreements, contracts, audits, and reports; develops and presents reports concerning progress within specific program areas and associated legislative and executive and administrative requirements.
Supervises and coordinates the work of assigned staff.
Provide direct Supervision of Disability Specialist for Early Education Services.
Ensure all outcomes and benchmarks for the program area are met in accordance with Head Start Standards, California Department of Education and Title 22.
Uphold YMCA policies for safety, supervision, mandated reporting, and risk management.
Support and attend Association special events.
Support branch special events, as appropriate.
Attend staff meetings and training as required.
Uphold YMCA policies for safety, supervision, mandated reporting and risk management.
Demonstrate the Six Pillars of Character (Trustworthiness, Citizenship, Respect, Responsibility, Caring and Fairness) as well as the YMCA Core Values of Caring, Respect, Honesty and Responsibility, in all dealings with members, guests, volunteers and fellow staff.
Demonstrate competencies in and willingness to develop in the Cause Driven Leadership areas of mission advancement, collaboration, operational effectiveness and personal growth.
All other duties as assigned by your supervisor.