Mental Health Specialist

GENERAL OBJECTIVE: To provide direct service and support to children and families through staff consultation and capacity building in the area of Mental Health. Support compliance in all facets of Federal Performance Standards and Oregon Pre-kindergarten regulations within the Mental Health component.

REPORTS TO: Health Services Manager

SUPERVISES: No direct reports

CLASSIFICATION: Exempt; Non-Represented

PAY GRADE:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Support compliance with all Federal Head Start Performance Standards within the Mental Health component. 
• Provide a regular schedule of child observations, consultation, and follow-up to direct service staff.
• Provide parenting skills and child development information to staff and parents. Provide guidance in choosing developmentally appropriate activities for children, and model age-appropriate and constructive ways to work with young children. 
• Provide written observations and strength-based feedback to staff for assigned caseload on a regular basis. Emphasize Pyramid Model and PBIS when recommending strategies and next steps 
• Meet with staff teams to review child and classroom observations as needed to create and implement plans for support of specific children. 
• Conduct individual observations and assessments of referred children.
• Collect and respond to program Mental Health referrals according to agency protocol.
• Consult with direct service staff on child/family needs and collaborate to create/follow up on individualized child and family support plans.
• Ensure that Mental Health services and resources are provided to families and staff who request them. 
• Support and conduct staff training and coaching relating to social emotional development and mental health issues, as assigned.
• Support the coordination of services for children who have social emotional and mental health needs. Work collaboratively with Mental Health providers in Clackamas County to support child and family access to care. 
• Provide reflective consultation for direct service staff, as assigned. 
• Work collaboratively with other Mental Health professionals who are also working with children and families in the program to ensure that child/family needs are being met and staff are aware of how to best meet child’s needs.
• Participate in client review or other case management meetings as needed to support assigned caseload.
• Maintain complete and accurate records in Child Plus.

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS:

• Provide training and/or support groups to staff as requested or assigned.
• Provide training and support groups to parents as requested or assigned.
• Support the Circle of Security Parenting Curriculum and Circle of Security in the Classroom model of coaching, in collaboration with the Professional Development coaching team. 
• Maintain CLASS®, TPOT® and TPITOS® reliability certification & perform classroom observations utilizing these tools, as assigned. 
• Special projects and other duties as assigned.

PROGRAM PARTICIPATION AND TEAM MEMBER:

• Arrives at work on time, punctually attends and actively participates in all required meetings and trainings.
• Required to be a respectful, cooperative, and reliable team member and participant in program activities. 
• Projects a professional work image, both in dress and manner.

Code of Conduct:

Perform all work in compliance with the Clackamas County Children’s Commission Code of Conduct

Confidentiality:

Respect and maintain confidentiality of information regarding enrolled children and families, personnel issues, and other program operations as appropriate.

Training:

In consultation with supervisor, develop professional work goals and training plan. Participate in training as requested.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field required. Master’s level degree is desirable.
• Clinical license or professional Mental Health certification (LCSW, LPC, MHNP, LMFT, QHMP, QMHA, Infant/Toddler Mental Health certificate, etc.) – OR – enrollment in clinical license or professional Mental Health certification program for completion.
• At least three years of experience and/or coursework in Early Childhood and/or Infant/Toddler Mental Health preferred.
• At least three years of experience working with adults, children, and families preferred. 
• Experience and/or aptitude formulating and writing both assessments and support plans preferred, specifically for children.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred. 
• Knowledge of Early Head Start and/or Head Start is desirable.
• Knowledge of early childhood development is highly desirable. 

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to articulate the program’s goals and philosophy, and the role of the Mental Health component. 
• Ability to provide consultation to staff and parents in a constructive, strength-based manner.
• Ability to present workshops and presentations on social emotional development and mental health issues to both clients and staff.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to organize, prioritize and be logical in approach to work.
• Ability to work cooperatively as a member of a team.
• Ability to positively interact with families of various cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Intermediate computer skills; working knowledge of MS Office Suite.
• Ability to possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and insured vehicle available for use on the job (or have alternative transportation).
• Ability to possess and maintain compliance with State of Oregon Criminal Background Registry.
• Ability to possess and maintain current Pediatric and Adult First Aid/CPR certification.

Working Conditions:

• Frequent work with physically active infants, toddlers, and three to five-year old children
• Some bending, stooping, kneeling, and sitting on the floor
• Frequent computer use
• Frequent travel from center to center for site visits and staff consultation appointments

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Support compliance with all Federal Head Start Performance Standards within the Mental Health component. 
• Provide a regular schedule of child observations, consultation, and follow-up to direct service staff.
• Provide parenting skills and child development information to staff and parents. Provide guidance in choosing developmentally appropriate activities for children, and model age-appropriate and constructive ways to work with young children. 
• Provide written observations and strength-based feedback to staff for assigned caseload on a regular basis. Emphasize Pyramid Model and PBIS when recommending strategies and next steps 
• Meet with staff teams to review child and classroom observations as needed to create and implement plans for support of specific children. 
• Conduct individual observations and assessments of referred children.
• Collect and respond to program Mental Health referrals according to agency protocol.
• Consult with direct service staff on child/family needs and collaborate to create/follow up on individualized child and family support plans.
• Ensure that Mental Health services and resources are provided to families and staff who request them. 
• Support and conduct staff training and coaching relating to social emotional development and mental health issues, as assigned.
• Support the coordination of services for children who have social emotional and mental health needs. Work collaboratively with Mental Health providers in Clackamas County to support child and family access to care. 
• Provide reflective consultation for direct service staff, as assigned. 
• Work collaboratively with other Mental Health professionals who are also working with children and families in the program to ensure that child/family needs are being met and staff are aware of how to best meet child’s needs.
• Participate in client review or other case management meetings as needed to support assigned caseload.
• Maintain complete and accurate records in Child Plus.

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS:

• Provide training and/or support groups to staff as requested or assigned.
• Provide training and support groups to parents as requested or assigned.
• Support the Circle of Security Parenting Curriculum and Circle of Security in the Classroom model of coaching, in collaboration with the Professional Development coaching team. 
• Maintain CLASS®, TPOT® and TPITOS® reliability certification & perform classroom observations utilizing these tools, as assigned. 
• Special projects and other duties as assigned.

PROGRAM PARTICIPATION AND TEAM MEMBER:

• Arrives at work on time, punctually attends and actively participates in all required meetings and trainings.
• Required to be a respectful, cooperative, and reliable team member and participant in program activities. 
• Projects a professional work image, both in dress and manner.

Code of Conduct:

Perform all work in compliance with the Clackamas County Children’s Commission Code of Conduct

Confidentiality:

Respect and maintain confidentiality of information regarding enrolled children and families, personnel issues, and other program operations as appropriate.

Training:

In consultation with supervisor, develop professional work goals and training plan. Participate in training as requested.