What are the responsibilities and job description for the Mental Health Specialist position at ABCD?
The Mental Health Specialist is responsible for ensuring that training,
technical assistance, and supports for good mental health practices are
provided for children 0-5, families and staff. The Mental Health
Specialist promotes positive interactions within classrooms through
responsive and nurturing care. The Mental Health Specialist coordinates
individualized strategies to affect positive behavioral changes for
identified children. The Mental Health Specialist works with all staff
in an inter-disciplinary approach to support and enhance the mental
health of all children and families with social-emotional difficulties
in providing and or obtaining services. Consult with Disabilities/Mental
Health Services Coordinator. The Mental Health Specialist is responsible
for promoting the mission of ABCD Head Start & Children?s Services;
building an understanding of the program by communicating this mission
to staff, families and the community. This position must comply with all
federal, state and local laws, regulations, standards and policies,
including those of the federal Administration for Children and Families
(ACF), the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC),
the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Massachusetts
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Massachusetts
disability law (Chapter 766), Boston Family Engagement Network (BFEN)
and ABCD, Inc. Head Start and Children?s Services policies and
procedures. All ABCD Head Start/Early Head Start and Children?s Services
personnel who are paid to care for, or work with, children are MANDATED
BY LAW to report all suspected cases of child abuse and neglect to the
Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF), pursuant to
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 119 ?? 51A ? 51G. Any staff member
who suspects child abuse or neglect of a child must inform his or her
supervisor immediately. The responsibilities of a particular position
may support both Early Head Start and Head Start depending on the
individual assignment. The specific corresponding funding allocation
will be documented on the personnel payroll authorization or change of
status form. All communications are potentially sensitive and are
subject to Head Start\'s policy on confidentiality. Essential Duties
Direct Mental Health Services (Up to 80%) Train and support staff to
increase awareness of, and competence in, mental health issues relevant
to each other and the children and families served. Implement an
inter-disciplinary system of mental health services to children and
their families with an emphasis on the early identification of children
with potential social-emotional difficulties. Provide in-house mental
health treatment to children needing direct mental health services
through individual counseling, play therapy, classroom support. Attend
and participate inter disciplinary team meetings. Conduct yearly
classroom observations followed by a written report and feedback
discussions with teaching team. Coordinate and conduct focus
observations of specific children when a referral has been made by
family or staff. Schedule visits in each classroom at a frequency that
enables timely and effective identification of and intervention in
family and staff concerns about a child?s mental health. Design and
implements program practices responsive to the identified behavioral and
mental health concerns of individual children or groups of children in
consultation and coordination with teachers, center directors, education
specialists, health specialist, disabilities specialist, and early
interventionist as needed. Discuss with parents their child?s behavior
and development. Discuss and identify with parents appropriate responses
to their child?s behavior. Promote discussions and education on how to
strengthen nurturing and supportive environments and relationships in
the home and at the Head Start program. Promote ch ldren?s mental wellne
technical assistance, and supports for good mental health practices are
provided for children 0-5, families and staff. The Mental Health
Specialist promotes positive interactions within classrooms through
responsive and nurturing care. The Mental Health Specialist coordinates
individualized strategies to affect positive behavioral changes for
identified children. The Mental Health Specialist works with all staff
in an inter-disciplinary approach to support and enhance the mental
health of all children and families with social-emotional difficulties
in providing and or obtaining services. Consult with Disabilities/Mental
Health Services Coordinator. The Mental Health Specialist is responsible
for promoting the mission of ABCD Head Start & Children?s Services;
building an understanding of the program by communicating this mission
to staff, families and the community. This position must comply with all
federal, state and local laws, regulations, standards and policies,
including those of the federal Administration for Children and Families
(ACF), the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC),
the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Massachusetts
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Massachusetts
disability law (Chapter 766), Boston Family Engagement Network (BFEN)
and ABCD, Inc. Head Start and Children?s Services policies and
procedures. All ABCD Head Start/Early Head Start and Children?s Services
personnel who are paid to care for, or work with, children are MANDATED
BY LAW to report all suspected cases of child abuse and neglect to the
Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF), pursuant to
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 119 ?? 51A ? 51G. Any staff member
who suspects child abuse or neglect of a child must inform his or her
supervisor immediately. The responsibilities of a particular position
may support both Early Head Start and Head Start depending on the
individual assignment. The specific corresponding funding allocation
will be documented on the personnel payroll authorization or change of
status form. All communications are potentially sensitive and are
subject to Head Start\'s policy on confidentiality. Essential Duties
Direct Mental Health Services (Up to 80%) Train and support staff to
increase awareness of, and competence in, mental health issues relevant
to each other and the children and families served. Implement an
inter-disciplinary system of mental health services to children and
their families with an emphasis on the early identification of children
with potential social-emotional difficulties. Provide in-house mental
health treatment to children needing direct mental health services
through individual counseling, play therapy, classroom support. Attend
and participate inter disciplinary team meetings. Conduct yearly
classroom observations followed by a written report and feedback
discussions with teaching team. Coordinate and conduct focus
observations of specific children when a referral has been made by
family or staff. Schedule visits in each classroom at a frequency that
enables timely and effective identification of and intervention in
family and staff concerns about a child?s mental health. Design and
implements program practices responsive to the identified behavioral and
mental health concerns of individual children or groups of children in
consultation and coordination with teachers, center directors, education
specialists, health specialist, disabilities specialist, and early
interventionist as needed. Discuss with parents their child?s behavior
and development. Discuss and identify with parents appropriate responses
to their child?s behavior. Promote discussions and education on how to
strengthen nurturing and supportive environments and relationships in
the home and at the Head Start program. Promote ch ldren?s mental wellne