Job Details

BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION SPECIALIST

HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START of BEDFORD and FULTON COUNTIES

The Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Bedford and Fulton counties work in partnership with families to build children’s and parents’ strength, promote self-esteem, and encourage self-sufficiency and lifelong learning. This position will provide behavioral support and strategies to help strengthen children’s social-emotional skills and improve their ability to learn; support teaching staff in the establishment, maintaining positive and productive partnerships with families; coordinate, develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate behavioral/mental health concerns to ensure the highest degree of quality services are provided to children.

Responsibilities:

• Plans, develops and coordinates with all staff for the implementation of goals and objectives in meeting the behavior health needs of children.
• Responsible for conducting and documenting observations of children when referred for behavioral or social-emotional concerns.
• Collects, organizes, and analyzes child-related information in a tracking system in order to generate meaningful records and reports of activities, progress, and outcomes regarding behaviors.
• In collaboration with Education Team and classroom staff, assists in the implementation of a behavior support plan, or behavior intervention plan (BIP), behavioral health treatment plan, and or individualized education plan (IEP).
• Develops community linkages to locate and access resources for families.
• Maintains strict confidentiality as legally defined and in accordance with program policy.
• Regularly communicates with Disabilities/MH/Transition Manager regarding needs, preparation and monitoring of MH services.
• Coordinates communications, scheduling, and feedback process between consultants and other Head Start staff.
• Assures scheduling and follow-up on services related to behavior/mental health, including assisting and arranging for evaluations on children as necessary.
• Assists in representing Head Start through community public relations, including intermediate units and positive transitions to the public schools.
• Is involved in regular staffing with the coordinating team and teachers for the purpose of recognizing and dealing with family needs.
• Responsible for obtaining and forwarding documentation for Non-Federal Share In-Kind to HS/EHS administrative office.
• Provides effective and immediate behavioral intervention/strategies and determines, in conjunction with MH consultant, if further referral and evaluation are needed.
• Monitors use and effectiveness of instructional supports, such as weighted vests/blankets, adaptive seating, fidget toys, regulation putty, etc. Discusses with Disabilities/Mental Health/Transition Manager and Education Team to maximize effectiveness or determine need for change.
• Develops positive relationships with families, program staff, and community providers to effectively support the classrooms and the children and families enrolled in Early Head Start, Head Start, and Pre-K Counts; includes regular meetings to promote wellness and or address any concerns there may be about a child’s behavior and or mental health.
• Recognizes the difference between challenging behavior and appropriate developmental levels in children ages birth to 5 years, old in coordination with Mental Health Consultant.
• Responsible for referrals and coordinating communications with the Mental Health Consultant as well as with local mental health agencies in collaboration with parents and staff.
• Implements practices designed to support the Federal Head Start Program Performance Standards and applicable state regulations addressing mental health.
• Assumes responsibility for on-going professional development including training in PBIS; stays up to date on best practices in addressing young children’s behavior and or mental health needs.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mental Health/Psychology/Social work, Early Childhood Education, Special Education, or a related field required.
• Minimum of two years professional experience observing, assessing, planning, and implementing behavioral health strategies with young children.
• Experience working with the Head Start and or Pre-K Counts program preferred.

Head Start Offers:

• Monday to Friday hours with limited evening or weekend work and holidays off
• Competitive salary
• Excellent low cost benefits
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Discounts on child day care
• Tuition reimbursement

ALL POSITIONS REQUIRE A VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE, ACT 31, 34/151 AND FBI CLEARANCES. An ALSM application, a resume, and transcripts should be sent to:

EOE

Estimated hourly rate or annual salary information is provided by indeed and is based on regional averages. It is not reflective of Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries' (ALSM) hourly rate or annual salary ranges. Please call the number listed in the job posting for additional information on ALSM's compensation package regarding this position.