Mental Health Consultant - Early Learning

Position Summary:

Working with designated children from birth to age five receiving services in the ECLIPSE program, the Early Learning Mental Health Consultant provides assessment and child and family goals, assisting to determine eligibility for services and need for referrals to other community resources. The Early Learning Mental Health Consultant also observes and consults in classrooms to implement behavior plans in the child’s designated classroom.

Responsibilities:

Provide screening and assessment of children. 

• Screen ECLIPSE children with designated tools, observe the parent-child interaction, help to develop an individual care plan, and the classroom behavior plan. 
• Provide biopsychosocial assessment of child and family to assess family/child strengths and needs.

Provide ongoing treatment with ECLIPSE children and families.

• Provide coaching/consultation supports as indicated in the individual care plan with parents of ECLIPSE children, including positive parenting skills and implementing behavior plans consistent with the classroom.
• Coordinate with and coach ECLIPSE Home Visitors in teaching parents behavior management skills. 
• Coordinate with family, teaching staff, allied service providers and home visitors to plan for transitions of child.

Provide classroom support and follow up with classroom staff regarding classroom interventions, children’s progress or concerns, and family needs.

• Establish and nurture collaborative relationships with teachers and teacher assistants to support the needs of each child
• Provide observations and consultation in the classroom as needed and designated in the child's behavior plan
• Reinforce and implement behavioral health practices in an early learning setting

Facilitate staffings with Catholic Charities teams and multidisciplinary meetings with parents, referral sources, and allied service providers as needed

• Participate in multi-system planning to ensure coordinated treatment and early learning intervention and education for identified children
• Facilitate and participate in child and family staffings and multidisciplinary team meetings as required to ensure coordination of services within the classroom and with allied providers

Complete all required documentation.

• Document all family and home visits, community meetings, multidisciplinary meetings, staffing’s, classroom consultations and other contacts on calendar daily.  
• Document in the child's records all phone calls, family and home visits, contacts with allied service providers, and classroom consultation, including date, time, persons present, and how it relates to the child/family plan within 24 hours of the occurrence. 
• Maintain communication with assigned social workers and referral sources regarding child and family progress. 
• Complete documentation to support monthly billing details as assigned by the Program Manager

Attend and participate in individual and group supervision.  

• Communicate directly with supervisor with any questions regarding the formulation or implementation of behavior management plans and any cases that require team coordination or therapeutic input.
• Communicate effectively by sharing concerns openly and honestly with appropriate staff members.
• Participate in a minimum of every other week clinical supervision with a licensed mental health provider such as the Associate Director of Outpatient Services or other qualified/designated staff.

Observe confidentiality in all aspects of the job

•  Abide by Washington State law as a mandatory reporter of child abuse and neglect
• Document all Child Protective Service reports as required with a review by supervisor

Perform other duties as assigned

Job Requirements:

The following requirements are those that are normally required for performance of this position.  Any disabled applicant or incumbent who does not meet one or more of the requirements, but who can perform the essential function of the job (with or without reasonable accommodations) shall be deemed to meet these requirements.

Physical Requirements:

This position normally requires the physical demands of standing, walking, bending, lifting or performing other work requiring low physical exertion, as well as keyboard fingering, talking, hearing and adequate vision on a regular basis to perform the job requirements.  These physical demands are required up to 90% of the time.

Non-Physical Requirements:

Education

• Master’s degree in social work, counseling, clinical psychology, or a related field leading to eligibility for clinical licensure, required

Experience

• Two years of experience in Behavioral Health or Early Learning preferred. Related experience may include counseling, case management, teaching, childcare, or another professional role working with young children and families

Special Skills

• Ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Knowledge of evidenced-based, trauma informed, and best practices in behavioral health with young children
• Knowledge of Washington Administrative Code for Child Care Providers
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated reflective practice skills with the ability to give and receive feedback
• Value and respect all people, their family culture, heritage, language and beliefs
• Maintain professional working relationships with childcare providers, community partners and stakeholders
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Maintain confidentiality according to professional standards
• Knowledge of service delivery area and resources
• Knowledge of Ages and Stages Developmental Screening (ASQ-3, ASQ-SE), and other early childhood assessments beneficial
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred, but not required

Licensure, Registration, Certification

• Must have or be able to obtain upon hire one of the below licenses or credentials with the Washington State Department of Health or Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
  • Mental Health Counselor or Associate (LMHC or LMHCA), Marriage and Family Therapist or Associate (LMFT or LMFTA), or Independent Clinical Social Worker or Associate (LICSW or LICSWA)
  • Licensed Agency Affiliated Counselor (LAAC) credential
  • Educational Staff Associate certificate as School Counselor, School Social Worker, or School Psychologist
• Valid Washington State driver’s license and minimum required liability insurance for WA State
• Must be deemed insurable as determined by Catholic Charities liability insurance provider

Employment is conditional upon:

• Being cleared by criminal background check and fingerprinting when required
• TB Testing, Cleared Department of Early Learning Background check

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm
Wage Range: $38.46-$43.27 per hour, depending on credential & experience
Benefits:

• 13 paid holidays, 12 days of vacation, 12 days of sick leave per year
• Health insurance including medical & prescription coverage, with optional dental and vision insurance plans. Majority of premiums paid by Catholic Charities
• Retirement 403(b) Plan: employee contributions commence upon employment; Catholic Charities contributes 2% of monthly income and matches up to 4% of employee contributions following 6 months of employment
• Basic Life Insurance paid 100% by Catholic Charities
• Flexible Spending Account eligibility following 6 months of employment
• Education Assistance Program reimbursing up to $5,250 per year for approved continuing education after 6 months of employment
• Additional voluntary insurances including supplemental life, accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D), critical illness, long term disability, accident, and ID theft
• Employee Assistance Program includes 3 counseling sessions per year, legal consultations, financial coaching, and other wellbeing tools
• Annual longevity awards begin at 5 years of employment

It is the practice of Catholic Charities to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, citizenship status, marital status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, sexual orientation, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Applicants from underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We gladly offer reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities to support participation in the hiring process and employment.

Salary : $38 - $43