Mental Health Specialist - MSW - Opportunity to Make a Difference

An Early Head Start program is seeking a Mental Health Specialist (Master's Level).

About the Opportunity:

• Schedule: M-F
• Hours: 8:30am - 2:30pm (can work until 4:30pm if extra hours needed)
• Setting: School / Early Head Start Program

Responsibilities:
Observations, Support & Coaching

• Provide information and support related to social-emotional and mental health development for infants, toddlers, pregnant women and families
• Provide guidance and model developmentally appropriate activities for infants and toddlers and effective ways to work with and support young children and families
• Provide written and oral observations and feedback.
• Meet with staff to review observations and develop and implement plans as needed

Individual, Dyadic Assessments & Referrals

• Conduct individual and dyadic assessments of children and parents/caregivers
• Provide referrals and follow-up to community services.
• Provide support in program environments via work with child and staff.

Support with Families

• Meet with families to discuss results of observations, assess and support family functioning, support parenting, discuss rationale and strategies regarding referrals for Early Intervention, mental health and community services
• Help coordinate and facilitate parent training

Support with Staff

• Support, coordinate, and provide staff training related to social-emotional, developmental, and mental health issues e Support staff well-being, professional development, and best practice

Individualized Child and Family-Centered Observations and Support

• Conduct individual and dyadic observations and assessments
• Meet with families to discuss child and family needs and create or follow-up on plans to support these needs
• Follow up on child and family incidents/child abuse cases and create plans to support the family
• Meet with family members to support their parenting, family and individual functioning and life-needs, develop plans and make referrals
• Meet with Family Workers and Home Visitors to support family functioning and provide guidance, support and training.
• Provide guidance and model developmentally appropriate activities for infants and toddlers and effective ways to work with and support young children and parents.
• Meet with Program Directors to discuss child, family, programmatic and staff-related issues. Provide guidance and support for best practices.

Programmatic Support

• Participate in the development and implementation of mental health program and policy.
• Consult with program administrators on programmatic issues related to mental health, social-emotional development and best practice.

Qualifications:

• Master's Degree or doctorate required in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or related field Open to new graduates
• Knowledge of early childhood development and health.
• Familiarity with Head Start Program Performance Standards and relevant regulatory agencies (e.g., ACS, ACF, UPK, DOHMH).

Desired Skills:

• 2 years of direct experience in the mental health field.
• Strong interpersonal and computer skills, with effective oral and written communication abilities.
• Ability to adapt to diverse cultural backgrounds within the service area.
• Bilingual Bengali/Urdu/Spanish - they have translators.