Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist

NEBRASKA CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FOUNDATION: 

Nebraska Children and Families Foundation (NCFF) is a nonprofit created to support children, young adults, and families with the overall goal of giving our state's children what they need to thrive. We do this by building strong communities that support families. Our mission is to create positive change for Nebraska’s children through community engagement and we believe in a Nebraska where all children will have the resources and support to thrive. 

SUMMARY

The Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist represents Nebraska Children’s interest in promoting comprehensive and quality early childhood care and education for children birth through age eight. Specifically, responsible for planning, organizing, providing oversight, and outcome accountability to community based cross-system planning and activities related to supporting positive social emotional development of young children and their families.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Assist the Vice President of Early Childhood Mental Health (VP ECMH) to carry out the Early Childhood Mental Health (ECMH) initiative, Rooted in Relationships (RiR) including, but not limited to: 

• Facilitate Rooted in Relationships community planning meetings and provide technical assistance to selected communities to: 
• Develop a work plan related to ECMH Systems and Pyramid Model Implementation. 
• Implement the Pyramid Model in community childcare settings, and  
• Implement selected ECMH systems strategies 
• Work as part of the Rooted in Relationships team to support training and coaching practices for implementation of the Pyramid model.  
• Work with other Nebraska Children staff to coordinate community-based assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of work in selected communities.  
• Work with state and local partners to provide identified training and capacity building to communities.  
• Coordinate operational and logistical planning for statewide convenings, partner meetings, and initiative events, both in-person and virtual. 
• Work with and support other Rooted staff to provide communication with communities and partners for planning and implementation activities as needed to ensure that the initiative priorities are successfully administered.   
• Attend scheduled meetings necessary to further these goals 
• Coordinate administrative and fiscal tracking for grant deliverables, contractor scopes of work, and invoice approvals. 
• Prepare written communications to program management, program staff, contractors, and grantees, regarding status updates, general follow-up, report reminders, etc.  
• Assist in grant management 
• Under the direction of the VP of ECMH, assist with internal management of processes for Rooted in Relationships including budgeting, reports, and contracts.   
• Review and approve grant reports, help set evaluation measures, and foster relationships with and between grantees. 
• Represent Nebraska Children on key collaborative early childhood program efforts. 
• Champion administrative and organizational policy changes in community organizations and within Nebraska Children that support and provide resources to promote the optimal growth and development of children, families, and communities.  

QUALIFICATIONS: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: 

Required: 

• Bachelors’ Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Early Childhood Education or related field.  
• Minimum of 3 years of experience working in the field 
• Experience and vision in working within programs and in developing systems that serve a broad purpose, working within community teams and diverse systems to expand collective impact across.   
• Experience interacting with multiple audiences and purposes including in-person and using technology 
• Strong coordination and communication skills.  

Knowledge: 

• Knowledge and expertise in family systems work.  
• Knowledge and expertise in coaching characteristics and process of supporting implementation to facilitate ongoing fidelity of evidence-based practices.  
• Knowledge and education regarding developmentally appropriate practices. 
• Knowledge of the assessment process and expertise in implementing PBiS/Pyramid Model in early childhood programs.  
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams 
• Office equipment and computer software 

Abilities: 

• Able to work both individually (self-directed) and collaboratively with individuals reflecting a variety of backgrounds and experiences 
• Ability to maintain a working knowledge of research-based best practices in early childhood, including social-emotional development and family engagement.  
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, indicating an ability to synthesize and explain complex information systematically 
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with NCFF staff, local and state level partners, community coalitions, business partners, schools, and the general public 
• Apply management techniques and methodologies to assigned activities 
• Research best practices and new developments 
• Gather, analyze, and review collected information and make recommendations 
• Design and present workshops and training on areas of expertise/assignment 
• Facilitate meetings to gain input, disseminate information, encourage improvement 
• Facilitate changes in policies, procedures, or practices 

Preferred: 

• Masters’ Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Early Childhood Education or related field.   

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

• A flexible schedule may include some evenings and weekends 
• A willingness to travel within the state, as well as outside the state which may include overnight stays and requires access to reliable transportation 
• Must have access to home office, including designated work and storage space, and telecommuting capacities, such as reliable internet connection and cell phone; a laptop and printer/scanner will be provided. 
• Nebraska residency required
• Hybrid office arrangements available in Omaha and Lincoln