What are the responsibilities and job description for the Pre-K Mental Health Consultant (Pre-K MHC) position at Kansas City Public Schools?
KANSAS CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Job Description
Job Title: Pre-K Mental Health Consultant (Pre-K MHC)
Job Title Code: 02184
Salary Grade: SJ8 (Licensed) SJ7 (Non-Licensed)
Department: Office of Early Learning
Reports To: Director of Pre-Kindergarten Programs
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Summary
The Pre-K Mental Health Consultant is responsible for the development and implementation of mental health and social emotional supports across the various early learning locations. This includes collaboration with district Trauma Sensitive School Clinicians and Head Start Mental Health Specialists, adhering to trauma-informed principles appropriate for children ages three (3) to five (5). This position is part of the Early Learning Leadership Team.
What You'll Be Doing: (Responsibilities)
To Be Successful at This Job, You'll Need To: (Qualifications)
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This job requires that the employee be able to: sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, use hands, fingers, reach with hands and fingers; bend, stoop, lift objects/children of at least forty pounds; use stairs; move quickly from one space to another; spend extended time outdoors in a variety of weather conditions; visual ability requires mono and color vision. This position will be required to complete the CPI crisis prevention training.
Terms Of Employment
Length of work year: 12 months 7.5 hours per day/ 5 days per week; 260 work days
Benefits: Health and Dental Insurance are provided.
KCPS Defined Benefit Pension plan – mandatory 9% contribution is required from employee and matched by KCPS; Voluntary retirement savings plans are also available.
Job Description
Job Title: Pre-K Mental Health Consultant (Pre-K MHC)
Job Title Code: 02184
Salary Grade: SJ8 (Licensed) SJ7 (Non-Licensed)
Department: Office of Early Learning
Reports To: Director of Pre-Kindergarten Programs
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Summary
The Pre-K Mental Health Consultant is responsible for the development and implementation of mental health and social emotional supports across the various early learning locations. This includes collaboration with district Trauma Sensitive School Clinicians and Head Start Mental Health Specialists, adhering to trauma-informed principles appropriate for children ages three (3) to five (5). This position is part of the Early Learning Leadership Team.
What You'll Be Doing: (Responsibilities)
- Supports the social-emotional educational component of Early Learning by researching, recommending, and implementing evidence-based social and emotional programs, such as Conscious Discipline, that serve as a preventative measure for children’s health and well-being. This includes securing training, resources, and supplies for full program implementation.
- Develops an effective system to identify and support interventions for children displaying concerns with mental health. This system includes participation in school Problem Solving Teams (PST), conducting observations, intervention, assessment, and referral.
- Develops documents and tracking systems for outcomes and auditing purposes. Analyzes data to support program development based upon trends. Maintains confidentiality of records and enters data in Infinite Campus as required.
- Supports effective trauma-informed and culturally responsive prevention strategies by providing professional development to staff, following up with observation and coaching to ensure teachers are competent in classroom management and prevention strategies.
- Creates success plans for children referred to the Pre-K MHC for individualized support. Assists with the implementation of these plans by working directly in the classroom setting and supporting the teaching team by using a coaching/scaffolding process to ensure positive outcomes. This includes collaborating with children’s families and other school district personnel.
- Leads the Pre-K Program in its’ Trauma-Informed initiatives, by collaborating with district and community providers. Influences the climate within the Pre-K program by sharing and modeling trauma-informed care best-practices.
- Supports families by providing resources on child development and indicators for potential delays and behavioral concerns. This includes leading parenting groups, presenting at building-level parent meetings, and offering family consultation as appropriate.
- Serves on the Early Learning Leadership Team to support effective systems, manage risks, and ensure compliance with all regulatory bodies, to include DESE, Licensing and Health and Human Services. Participates in sprogram review to identify strengths and areas of growth; developing action plans as required. Updates policies, procedures, and handbooks annually.
- Participates in required trainings, workshops, collaborative meetings and maintains required certifications, as applicable. Maintains professional standards and technical knowledge in Mental Health education and research through review of professional literature, participation in conferences and continuing education, informs staff and colleagues of the results of these activities.
- Treats children, families and colleagues with professionalism and supports a positive work environment that aligns with the philosophy of KCPS Culturally Responsive Teaching, Trauma-Informed Schools, and Conscious Discipline.
- Follows district guidelines for reporting incidents of suspected abuse, neglect, or contagious disease.
- Utilizes relevant district software and technology effectively in the performance of duties. Completes paperwork according to assigned timelines and follows code of conduct and confidentiality policies.
- Supports KCPS Strategic Plan & Early Learning Vision & Mission, ensures accountability through successful implementation of assigned objectives as applicable.
- Other duties as assigned.
To Be Successful at This Job, You'll Need To: (Qualifications)
- Master’s Degree in social work/counseling.
- Five (5) years’ experience working with young children in mental health.
- Proficient in child growth and development.
- Knowledge in child behavior and guidance.
- Professional oral and written communication skill.
- Demonstrates ability to work in non-judgmental culturally sensitive, and empowering manner with children and families from diverse backgrounds.
- Position requires travel between school sites. Must have access to transportation with a valid driver’s license and insurance.
- Successful completion of required background check and submission of an initial physical and TB screening.
- Professional license in a mental health discipline (Licensed Clinical Social Worker/Licensed Professional Counselor.
- Bilingual
- Experience in Early Childhood or Head Start settings.
- Experience with Conscious Discipline.
- Experience with Play Therapy.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This job requires that the employee be able to: sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, use hands, fingers, reach with hands and fingers; bend, stoop, lift objects/children of at least forty pounds; use stairs; move quickly from one space to another; spend extended time outdoors in a variety of weather conditions; visual ability requires mono and color vision. This position will be required to complete the CPI crisis prevention training.
Terms Of Employment
Length of work year: 12 months 7.5 hours per day/ 5 days per week; 260 work days
Benefits: Health and Dental Insurance are provided.
KCPS Defined Benefit Pension plan – mandatory 9% contribution is required from employee and matched by KCPS; Voluntary retirement savings plans are also available.