Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant

Summary


Early Childhood Options is hiring an Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant to join our amazing team. the ECMHC supports nurturing environments that advance social-emotional and behavioral health outcomes among children, families, and early childhood professionals. The ECMHC works across a broad range of early care and education (ECE) settings to promote wellness in young children by increasing the capacity of adult caregivers to support children's developmental needs. The ECMHC connects and refers children, families, and providers to programs, resources, and supports that will foster their development while addressing barriers to access.

Essential ECMHC job duties include early childhood mental health consultation in classrooms; training and coaching staff; child observations and individualized planning; screening, assessment and referral services. The ECMHC will also collect data, maintain records, and support compliance with program requirements. Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with teachers, service providers and families.
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ECO follows all Public Health guidelines to protect staff and others against COVID-19.All persons accepting a position within Early Childhood Options are strongly encouraged to get the COVID-19 vaccinations.

Early Childhood Options is an equal opportunity employer, hiring and promoting staff, recruiting volunteers, and providing services to individuals without regard to race, creed, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, military status, national origin, age, weight, height or physical ability.

Duties

Observations, Consultation and Coaching
·Visit classrooms/childcare centers on a regular schedule.
·Provide child development information related to social--‐emotional development and mental health.
·Provide guidance to staff on selecting, implementing, and interpreting social--‐ emotional screening and assessment tools and findings.
·Provide guidance and model developmentally appropriate activities for children and effective ways to work with and support young children.
·Meet with classroom teams to review classroom observations and develop and implement plans as needed.
Participate in the development and implementation of mental health programs and policy.
Participate in staff meetings

Staff Training
·Support, coordinate, and provide staff trainings related to social--‐emotional and mental health issues.
·Work with site SEALS to provide trainings and guidance that enable them to be successful first line support for staff struggling with various child developmental needs.

Individual Child Screening, Assessment, Referral, Observation and Consultation
·Conduct standardized developmental, behavioral, and/or social--‐emotional screens and assessments for individual children as assigned or referred for consultation.
·Provide child and family referral and follow--‐up to community services.
Conduct observations and assessments of individual children as assigned or referred for consultation.
·Meet with families to consult on child and family needs and create or follow--‐up on plans to support these needs.

Other:
Participate in regular supervision with Program Director and clinical supervisor.
Contribute to federal, state, and local reporting requirements.
Conduct home visits to support the mental health needs of families and children on an as-needed basis.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in social work, Psychology, Counseling, or related field
Minimum of 2 years direct experience in a mental health setting providing prevention services and/or mental health therapy to children and families.
Demonstrated understanding of infant and early childhood mental health, experience with clinical documentation and experience formulating and writing assessments and support plans, preferably for young children.
Experience with evidence-‐based practices and curricula to promote early childhood mental health is desirable, e.g., Incredible Years, the Pyramid Approach, CHILD observation tool, etc.

Ability to manage physically active young children, including guiding, pursuing, restraining, and withstanding sudden movements.
Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
Must have valid Driver’s License and proof of insurance or must have acceptable alternative transportation.
Maintain First Aid and CPR certification.
All permanent employment is dependent on the results of background checks.
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Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Head Start
Master's degree in social work, Psychology, Counseling, or related field
Bilingual/bicultural English--‐Spanish strongly preferred.

Benefits

Generous benefits include health, dental, vision, retirement, wellness. Ski passes when available.