Position Compensation: $27.18/hr - 38.40/hr (Part-Time, 20 hours)

Job Purpose

Provides mental health services to support social emotional development of enrolled children and their families through mental health assessments, intervention plans, learning environment observations, and support to staff and families by conducting parent and staff education trainings.

Position Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Licensed Mental Health Professional and support of the Mental Health Coordinator, the Mental Health Specialist is responsible for key Head Start/Early Head Start roles and responsibilities such as, but not limited to: mental health consultation with parents/caregivers and teaching staff, classroom and home-based observations, clinical assessments, intervention planning and progress monitoring, participation in multidisciplinary team meetings, and supporting classroom teachers/parent educators with maintaining learning environments that support social-emotional development. In addition, the Mental Health Specialist will assume responsibility for supporting Head Start/Early Head Start with any other related activities with regard to Head Start Program Performance Standards, LACOE GIMs, and PACE Education Mental Health Policies and Procedures.

Essential Duties Of The Position Include

• Conduct mental health assessments, child observations, develop intervention plans, and provide regular consultation with parents/caregivers and teaching staff.
• Complete all mental health activities and documentation with the quality and timeliness required in LACOE GIMS, Head Start Program Performance Standards, and PACE Education Mental Health Policies and Procedures.
• Document mental health services on LACOE standardized forms and submit to Mental Health Coordinator monthly.
• Utilize ChildPlus to document all mental health activities in accordance with LACOE GIMS.
• Provide monthly on-site consultation and/or reflective supervision with families and staff as needed at assigned school sites.
• Provide group, individual staff, and parent education trainings on mental health related topics
• Conduct learning environment observations of each classroom. Provide recommendations to support classroom management, child behavior, and social-emotional development of students.
• Assist in providing special help for children with atypical behavior or development.
• Assist children, families, and staff in accessing and utilizing community mental health services.
• Identify other Service Area needs that may be impacting mental health. Work in collaboration with other Head Start and Early Head Start service areas (Health, Nutrition, Disabilities, Family and Community Engagement) to help families access resources and services.
• Participate in agency Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meetings as requested.
• Advise and assist in developmental screening and assessment of children and pregnant mothers.
• Participate in monthly meetings with PACE Licensed Mental Health Professional and Mental Health Coordinator
• If pre-licensed, participate in clinical supervision with PACE Licensed Mental Health Professional in accordance with California Board of Behavioral Sciences requirements.
• Other duties as assigned within the scope of the position.
• Use computers, especially MS Office, Internet, and Email to communicate and prepare program documentation
  
  

Qualifications (knowledge, Skills And Experience)

• Education and Work Experience
• A master’s degree in psychology, social work, marriage and family therapy, or other related field.
• Must be an independently licensed clinician with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences and have the expertise in child and family mental health. Acceptable licenses include, but are not limited to:
• Licensed Clinical Psychologist
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
• Licensed Professional Counselor
• Licensed School Social Worker
• Licensed School Psychologist
• Nurse Practitioner
• Child Psychiatrist
• Pre-licensed clinicians must be able to participate in clinical supervision provided by PACE Licensed Mental Health Professional.
• Previous experience working with children ages 0-5 years.
• Previous experience working with Head Start highly desirable
• Bilingual in English and Spanish
• Knowledge and Skills
• Clinical documentation
• Must have excellent communication, interpersonal and organizational skills, be a team player and a passionate advocate for children’s well-being, be able to work with diverse populations, to network with other mental health and early childhood professionals to provide needed mental health services.
  

Special Conditions

• Valid California Driver’s License and auto insurance coverage
• Must pass the following background checks prior to start of employment:
• Sex Offender Registry
• Child Abuse and Neglect State Registry
• State or Tribal Criminal History Check, including fingerprints
• FBI Criminal History Check, including fingerprints
• Must have verification of T.B. clearance at time of employment, to be renewed every four (4) years (every 4 years for chest x-rays).
• Must pass health screening (LIC 503) at time of employment, health screening is accepted within one year prior to hire, to be renewed every four (4) years.
• Provide proof of the following immunizations as required: Measles, Pertussis (Whooping Cough), Influenza, and COVID-19
• Must complete 15 clock hours of professional development annually that builds the knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities of staff to improve child, family, and staff outcomes. Of this, a minimum of 50% of the 15 hours (or 7.5 hours) must be focused on the specific content area or job assignment. Must also complete an annual Professional Development Plan (PDP) to be reviewed 3 times during the year.
  
  

Physical Demands

Working conditions and physical demands of this position will be those that must be met to successfully perform the essential duties of the position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform their essential duties. The physical environment the incumbent will work in is typically an office environment with moderate noise levels that would be expected in that type of work environment.

• T.B. Test within the past year prior to employment, and every four (4) years thereafter (every 4 years for a chest X-ray).
• Must pass health screening (LIC 503) at time of employment, health screening is accepted within one year prior to hire, to be renewed every four (4) years.
• Provide proof of the following immunizations as required: Measles, Pertussis (Whooping Cough), and Influenza.
• COVID vaccination required; must have two-dose series of Pfizer or Moderna or a single-dose of Johnson & Johnson. Those that need a medical or religious exemption must reach out separately.
• Representative physical demands of the job include normal vision and hearing, standing for extended periods, sitting for extended periods, kneeling, and stooping, manipulating objects with hands, reaching overhead, and occasionally lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 25 pounds.