Associate Director of Mental Health and Disab

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF MENTAL HEALTH & DISABILITIES
2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR
 

SUMMARY: The Leaguers, Inc. is seeking a Associate Director of Mental Health and Disabilities for its Head Start/ Early Head Start Program.

POSITION DESCRIPTION: 
The Associate Director will manage and coordinate mental health services and programs, aiming to provide the highest quality of care to children and families in need. Responsible for the implementation of behavioral support services to assist the development of children's behavior and social/emotional skills. Manages and provides support functions for the Behavior & Inclusion Team, Education Director, Health and Nutrition Director, EHS Associate Director, and Chief Program Officer.


DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Administers, scores, and interprets behavior screenings completed by parents upon child's enrollment in program. Records and maintains confidential mental health records and maintains documentation in ChildPlus.net for each child and monitors for follow-up;
• If behavior concerns are identified through the use of the initial screening tool, request a behavioral screening from the child's teacher and review results;
• Conducts classroom observations. Works in consultation with teaching staff and parents and models appropriate behavior intervention strategies to meet each child's individualized needs;
• Provides developmentally appropriate behavior interventions, activities, and instructional techniques to enhance child's behavior and social/emotional skills in the classroom;
• Works one on one with identified children in the classroom to model appropriate social/emotional skills;
• Collaborates with teaching staff to develop and implement the Classroom Behavior Plan (CBP) goals and objectives for the effective delivery of mental health and behavior services in the classroom as needed;
• Reviews individualization plans, lesson plans, and behavior contingency plans to ensure classroom implementation is consistent with CBP;
• Provides training and technical assistance to teaching staff regarding children's behavior, behavior management, and mental health needs;
• Works closely with teaching staff, Family Advocates, and parents to implement preventative mental health and behavior services to strengthen nurturing, supportive environments and relationships in the home and in the classroom;
• Assists in the coordination of the implementation of comprehensive mental health services with team members, contracted providers, and contracted mental health consultant;
• Maintains compliance with the HS/EHS Performance Standards, the HS/EHS Performance Standards for Children with behavior and mental health concerns, State and Federal requirements for children with disabilities;
• Participates in early and ongoing screenings and clearance of files;
• Assists in the development, implementation and monitoring of health policies, standard operating procedures, work plans and administrative direction;
• Attends and actively participates in training programs, staff meetings, and other meetings/trainings;
• Assures behavior assessment supplies are available for early screening and ongoing throughout the year;
• Participates in program monitoring, Self-Assessment and Community Needs Assessment and performs reasonable functions that are related;
• Serves as a member of the Health Services Advisory Committee and recruits professional members and parents as needed;
• Actively participates in center/classroom activities, parent meetings and annual parent activities as requested;
• Completes Registered Behavior Technician certification coursework within 6 months of hire;
• Acts as an advocate and role model for HS/EHS families. Recruits children for the program;
• Assists in the development and implementation of the annual training plan, including pre-service, in- service, T/TA, and ongoing training requirements;
• Attends and actively participates in training programs, staff meetings, and other meeting/trainings;
• Maintains confidentiality in all aspects of client, staff and agency information;
• Maintains effective working interaction with coworkers and outside contacts that will enhance the operation of the HS/EHS program;
• Organizes and prioritizes all assignments as directed;
• Participates in community activities that enhance HS/EHS programs as directed;
• Participates in ongoing monitoring, Community Assessment and Self-Assessment and performs reasonable related functions;
• Participates in regular safety, storm and fire drills;
• Submits reports, documents, and files as directed;
• Uses and follows the policies/procedures of HS/EHS, federal, state and local regulations/laws, and federal regulations/laws including the HS/EHS Performance Standards, applicable transmittal notices, and other administrative orders/directions;
• Uses and follows agency policies/procedures including but not limited to Personnel Policies, Occupational Health and Safety policies, payroll policies/practices, etc.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have a Master's Degree in Psychology, Social Work, Special Education or related field;
• Certification in one or more of the following: LCSW, LPC;
• Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) or eligible to acquire within 6 months;
• Bilingual in Spanish and/or French Creole, preferred, not required;
• Three (3) years of experience in mental health or behavior analysis, preferably working with children and children w/ special needs;
• Valid NJ Drivers License.
   

SALARY:
         Negotiated based on credentials and experience

LOCATION:
         Central Office

FRINGE BENEFITS:
         Twelve (12) Month Position
         Benefit Package (Health, Prescription, Dental and Life Insurance) *Free Options Available
         403-B Retirement Plan
         Sick and Personal days
         Paid Holidays
         Winter and Spring Recess

Application Procedure:   All interested candidates must apply online.  All certifications, resume, letters of reference, Praxis scores and transcripts must be uploaded prior to the closing date of the posting to be considered for any position with The Leaguers, Inc.  Do not mail or email these documents. Once you submit an application you will receive an email confirmation.  This is your confirmation; please do not call to inquire if it has been received.  All candidates of interest will be contacted by the hiring department.
Selection Procedure: Candidates being considered for the position will be contacted by the hiring department to schedule an interview.
Equal Opportunity Employer: The Leaguers, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  The Leaguers, Inc. does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. The Leaguers has a policy of active recruitment of qualified teachers and non-certified employees. Any individual needing assistance in completing a job application for any opening should contact the Department of Human Resources.