Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist
AGENCY OVERVIEW:
Allies for Every Child (Allies) exists to give at-risk children and children living in poverty the foundation they need to increase their life choices and lead fulfilling lives. For over 30 years, Allies has been providing thousands of at-risk children and their families with critical, high-quality early education programs (including comprehensive Early Head Start services and California Department of Education programs), family strengthening interventions, foster care and adoption services, and a range of vital, integrated services, including educational assessments, disabilities screenings, nutrition, dental and vision screenings, mental health and pediatric health consultations.
JOB SUMMARY:
Allies is committed to providing mental health support and consultation to those who interact with children and families with social, behavioral and emotional challenges. The Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist is responsible for enhancing depth and breadth of mental health resources available to Allies families. This role will be responsible for supporting the expansion of Allies' infant/early childhood mental health work (e.g., direct psychotherapy services, consultation, groups, training etc.) to reach a broader population, especially tapping into educational settings such as center based and home based environments; conducts community outreach and participates in coordination of family events as needed.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:
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.
- Assist with identification and linkage for children in center base and home based settings who would benefit from infant and early childhood mental health interventions/services
- Provide psychoeducation about development, trauma and strategies that support children's emotional wellbeing to caregivers including parents and educators.
- Provide early childhood mental health consultation to classroom and home educators to support children with social, emotional and behavioral challenges
- Assist the Allies Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) program in providing trainings
- Promote classroom management and teacher practices using classroom observations, reflection and consultations to address teacher and individual child needs to create physical and cultural environments that encourage mental health and positive social and emotional functioning
- Conduct observations and consultations in a home vising setting to meet client's mental health and social emotional needs
- Provide mental health psychotherapy services to children and their families including dyadic therapy.
- Travel and provide services in different locations including home, center, office, community, virtual settings.
SECONDARY JOB DUTIES:
- Attend staff meetings, individual and group supervision, case reviews, and trainings as needed
- Collaborate with key partner agencies for referrals, and parental support; ensure successful partnership and documentation of outcomes
- Regular documentation of clinical visits in agency data system and client file
- Maintain confidentiality of clients and obtain and maintain on file legal releases of information when needed
- Comply with all applicable federal, state and county regulations, policies and procedures
- Staff must believe in and act in accordance with both the agency's and the program's mission statements
- In accordance with our "team" philosophy, the person filling this position may occasionally be required to carry out or assist with other tasks in addition to the duties listed on this job description.
- Progress toward meeting the qualifications for endorsement as an Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist through the California Center for Infant-Family and Early Childhood Mental Health.
QUALIFICATIONS & EDUCATION:
- Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, Social Work or Psychology preferred
- Minimum of 1 (one)-year experience providing mental health consultation services in a 0-5 setting strongly preferred
- At least 2 (two)-years' experience and specialized training working with 0-5 preferred
- Bilingual - English/Spanish required
- Ability to work in a supportive team environment
- Requires a high level of creativity, resourcefulness and flexibility
- Ability to work and communicate with a diverse group of families
- Experience with community outreach, event organizing, working with families and children in a community setting preferred
- Knowledge of child abuse/neglect prevention
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Home visitation experience desired
- Knowledge of community resources and experience with interagency collaboration preferred
- Ability to work independently, flexible, strong organizational skills, and commitment to teamwork
- Basic computer skills required - Word, Excel, Software applications
- Passionate about learning and possesses curiosity about issues affecting children and families
- All employees, regardless of position, serve as role models for children and families who are served by our agency.
- Fingerprint background clearance (DOJ, FBI & Child Abuse Clearance Index), or approved exemption
- Successful completion of pre-employment physical, PPD risk assessment, proof of immunizations for pertussis, measles and influenza
- Class "C" driver's license, proof of insurance, a safety record acceptable to CAA, and reliable transportation required