Mental Health Specialist

Child-Parent Centers, Inc. • Tucson, AZ

3d • $54,496 - $59,947 • Hybrid

About The Position

As a member of the Family and Community Partnerships (FCP) department, reporting to Mental Health Coordinator, responsible for implementation of the program mental health services, inclusive of Easter Seals Blake Foundation (EBF) and EHS-CCP, to children (prenatal to age 5) and their families in the five designated counties in Southern Arizona, for assigned caseload. Provides individual mental health consultation to high need environments, through a trauma-informed Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Approach creating individualized behavior plans to meet the child’s social-emotional well-being. Implements and assists in maintaining administrative systems and processes that support children with mental health needs and help the agency achieve compliance with Office of Head Start and Arizona state mental health related requirements. Maintains relationships with mental health community providers to enhance the quality of services. Creates and delivers professional development within the agency and the community related to mental health topics.

Requirements

• Possess a master’s degree from a recognized educational institution in counseling, psychology, social work or an agreed equivalent that supports high quality implementation of our program as determined by the agency
• Minimum three (3) years’ experience working with multi-cultural groups including adults and children (ages 0-5) providing support services related to mental health.
• The Mental Health Specialist has no direct therapy/counseling responsibilities.
• Demonstrated proficiency using Office 365 (Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Submit a current AZ Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card prior to start date
• Excellent driving record
• Able to read, write, and speak English

Nice To Haves

• Possession of a LMSW, LAC, LPC, LCSW license/credential
• Ability to read, write, and speak Spanish

Responsibilities

• Implements and supports the development of the agency’s Mental Health system (prenatal to age 5) to prevent, identify, intervene and reduce the impact of mental health challenges for children, families and staff.
• Promotes social-emotional well-being through a trauma-informed infant and early childhood mental health approach by: Providing mental health expertise to classrooms, homes and situations. Assessing, evaluating and creating therapeutic interventions to best support child and family. Supporting and collaborating with Education Specialists and Coordinators, along with Comprehensive Services Unit (CSU) staff, for the general well-being of children, families, classrooms, and homes.
• Facilitates the creation and implementation of individualization plans with teachers, families, and trans-disciplinary team individualized plans for children. Provides ongoing support to ensure successful implementation of the individualized mental health plan.
• Facilitates direct consultation, support debriefing groups, develops intervention plans, and provides resources to staff or families.
• Facilitates teacher and parent meetings that pertain to mental health issues.
• Strengthens family and staff capacity to support social, emotional, and relational health of children and families in a range of settings. Coaches and models developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed strategies and methodologies to establish and maintain nurturing environments and relationships between teaching staff, children, and families.
• Coordinates intervention plans with Inclusion staff.
• Reconciles services provided by contracted Mental Health Consultants and Providers.
• Supports Department of Child Safety (DCS) reporting process.
• Demonstrates and maintains awareness and understanding of Head Start Performance Standards, state and federal guidelines, and other best practices.
• Establish a process for the transition of children from Head Start to Kindergarten identified as having mental health needs.
• Identify self-growth, development goals, and strategies for achievement with support and input from supervisor.
• Commit and participate in consistent and planned meetings with supervisor to further professional growth by seeking feedback, reflecting on and assessing own practice, and taking advantage of opportunities to improve skills and knowledge.
• Analyze information for the assessment and identification of children with mental health concerns.
• Participate in the implementation of the tracking system for all children with mental health needs which includes, but is not limited to, priority timelines, assigned responsibilities, distribution of information, required reports, and monitoring of records.
• Safeguard confidential and sensitive records for program participants including adherence to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) as necessary.
• Participate in the agency annual self-assessment regarding mental health requirements and family and community partnership compliance.
• Conducts bi-annual CLASS observations in collaboration with Education Department, Blake Easter Seals and EHSCCP partners.
• Participate on the Family and Community Partnership team and contribute to the decision-making process for policies and procedures, planning, strategic initiatives, professional development, budget, governance, and agency self-assessment related to mental health systems.
• Implement and monitor key management decisions in the areas of mental health.
• Participate on the Mental Health team and contribute to the decision-making process for policies and procedures, planning, and professional development related to mental health systems.
• Participate on the Comprehensive Services Unit team and contribute to the decision-making process for policies and procedures, planning, strategic initiatives, professional development, related to mental health systems.
• Maintain mental health expertise including best practices, local, state, and federal initiatives through active membership in professional organizations, work to complete ongoing continuing education units (CEU's), and establishment of good working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Link current research, resources, and program data to practice by discussing program quality issues and ways to advance practice.
• Participate in Policy Council and Advisory Group activities as assigned.
• Provide professional development for staff regarding various mental health related theory and application in various topics (Reflective Practice, Positive Guidance, Trauma Informed Care, and other mental health related topics); represents agency within the community.
• Understand and model the agency's vision, mission, and philosophy within the agency and the community.
• Demonstrate approachability, ownership, accountability, and life-long learning.
• Use the agency's communication and problem-solving approach.
• Seek perspective of others.
• Identify emerging issues and contribute new knowledge.
• Work to de-escalate when emotions and stakes are high.
• Maintain professional behavior and relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Use agency systems and technologies to accomplish work.
• Maintain a high level of attendance to support ongoing service delivery.
• Recognizes children's safety as the first responsibility of all staff and acts swiftly to ensure no child is unsupervised.
• Implement agency policies and procedures for safeguarding confidential or sensitive information about employees and/or program participants.
• Restrict access to paper or electronic documents to those with a need to know.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 26 paid holidays
• 5 days paid vacation after one year and up to 20 days each year thereafter
• earn up to 8 days paid Personal leave first year, 9 days each year thereafter
• up to 5 days paid Sick leave per year
• Dental
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Reimbursement Arrangements
• Health Savings Accounts
• PPO medical (3 plans)
• Vision
• Supplemental Life coverage for self, spouse, and child ($25,000 basic life and Accidental Death and Disability provided by employer).
• Supplemental coverages (Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, and Accident Insurance)
• pet insurance.
• Agency contribution after years of services and hours eligibility criteria are met (Retirement Plan)
• 401k deferral once eligibility criteria is met

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level