Job Information
Lower Columbia College Mental Health Specialist (Head Start, 10 months) in Longview, Washington
Apply online at: https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/lowercolumbia/jobs/4394081/mental-health-specialist-head-start-10-months?visitor=fee43cf6-8ad1-4cf3-bc57-c579dca8d405&session=f36e4fd4-5e0c-4950-9f03-89024c862555{rel="nofollow"} At a Glance! *This position is responsible for providing infant and early childhood mental health consultation (IECMHC) to promote mental health awareness, prevention, early identification, and referrals for treatment of children and families with social/emotional concerns. The mental health specialist will help develop a culture of wellness by building the caregivers' capacity to strengthen and support the healthy social and emotional development of young children. The mental health specialist supports the needs of all children by giving information to the caregivers on topics such as typical development, social and emotional skills, problem solving, and preventing or managing challenging behaviors. The Mental Health Specialist position is 10 months, 40 hours per week and follows the typical local school district calendar. Daily schedule is flexible with possible teleworking options. This position is exempt under FLSA and reports to the Director of Head Start/EHS/ECEAP. Apply Early! This position will stay open until filled with an initial date of March 7th, 2024. To be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before March 6th, 2024. *Follow Head Start: For more on Lower Columbia College Head Start{target="blank" rel="noopener"}, see the Annual Report {rel="nofollow"} (Download PDF reader){target="blank" rel="noopener"} (Download PDF reader){target="blank" rel="noopener"}and join our Social Media{target="blank" rel="noopener"} page.
Examples of Duties & Responsibilities
Work across all levels of the program:
Child- and Family-Focused Consultation: The specialist builds relationships and collaborates respectfully with families and staff to understand and respond to the mental health needs of infants, young children, and families. Provide support for children with behavioral difficulties or developmental challenges. Support the overall well-being of children and families.
- Complete individual child observations and/ parent consults/home visits as requested or needed for the program.
Consultation in Classrooms and Homes:Partners with families and staff to promote equitable, warm, and trusting relationships. Help children and caregivers build strong relationships by suggesting approaches like safe environments, consistent schedules and routines, and age-appropriate social and emotional strategies.
Ensure a mental health observation is completed for classrooms as needed to support the social/emotional needs of the children.
Direct, train and model specific behavioral interventions to caregivers as needed.
Track, document, and monitor all children who are identified as needing intervention services to ensure timelines are met and the strategies developed are supporting the needs of the child, classroom and teaching staff.
Facilitate ongoing consultation/reflective practice with caregivers and any other agency specialist as needed (i.e, if the child is on an In