Mental Health & Disabilities Specialist

Mental Health & Disabilities Specialist Child Care Associates - 3.7 Fort Worth, TX Job Details Full-time 11 hours ago Qualifications Early childhood education center experience Computer operation Working with individuals with disabilities Bachelor's degree Child safety supervision Working with students Working with families Parent-teacher conferences (communication methods) Full Job Description Our EEO Policy Child Care Associates is an equal opportunity employer who offers equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy, mental or physical disability, political affiliation, beliefs, protected veteran status in accordance with applicable federal laws, or any other protected class.

MENTAL HEALTH & DISABILITIES SPECIALIST

Program:

HEAD START

Team:

Mental Health & Disability Address:

3000 E Belknap St, Fort Worth, TX 76111

FT/PT Status:

Full Time Position Overview Under direct supervision of the Mental Health & Disability Manager, the MHD/Specialist will assists in obtaining disabilities services for children with referrals, assessments, IEP/IFSP. The MHD/Specialist will work with teaching staff and Disabilities Department to ensure that assessments of the referral process from outside entities/agencies are submitted in a timely manner. The MHD/Specialist will collaborate with the Mental & Disability Manager and ERSEA Manager to establish and maintain a process that ensures the recruitment and enrollment of at least 10% disabled children. The MHD/Specialist will support and work collaboratively with the Education department to maintain a process that conducts developmental screenings (ASQ

SE & ASQ III

) of all children in the program, rescreens as appropriate and determine if further evaluations are needed to achieve learning objectives. Assists parents with researching and providing enrolled families with community partners to address disabilities needs. Communicates with the teaching team and program staff regarding individual development goals and in setting objectives. Coordinate individualized strategies to affect positive behavioral changes for identified children Work 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 Participates on team staffing of children, schedule and facilitate any special meetings related to child staffing, as necessary to support participation in the classroom. Provide assistance in recruitment and enrollment of all eligible children including children with special needs. Ensure that assessments are followed up on by LEA, performed within appropriate timelines consistent with Head Start requirements. Collaborate with staff in identifying and referring students with suspected delays. Work 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 Maintain a collaborative relationship between Head Start, LEA, and other community agencies to facilitate comprehensive program services to disabled children and their families. Coordinate schedules and ensure the delivery of services to children, including those with special needs from community agencies and school districts. Participates in meetings with the classroom teachers, outside agency service provider, consultants, and families to monitor progress of the implementation of the IEP or other support plans. Plans and designs training(s) to support staff training needs and regulatory requirements. Responsible for accurate documentation and data entry including recordkeeping in ChildPlus Arrange services for children with special needs through the Head Start and Early Head Start Programs. Schedule and attend parent conferences/ARD meetings and maintain contact with parents of children with disabilities and/or suspected disabilities during referral, evaluation, and treatment. Support partner sites through regular contact directly and electronically to address questions or concerns regarding social emotional development of CCA children. Provide staff and parent training on topics related to the Disabilities Services Content Area. Effectively utilizes the ChildPlus data management system to run reports and to enter case notes. Create and model the implantation of Conscious Discipline Behavior Plans Conducts general developmental observations of individual children and group interactions and behavior trends. Work with staff from other content areas and staff to ensure all appropriate services are provided to all enrolled children. Collaborates and maintains positive working relationships with fellow CCA employees and with partner community organizations. Perform other duties as assigned. Minimum Requirements Bachelor's degree in a related field such as Psychology, Social Work or Early Childhood Education, plus two years' experience working with children and families in an early childhood or related program. Experience in monitoring special services for children, relating to community, agencies, school districts, and working with parents/clients. Must have the ability to interact with and relate to pre-school children with special needs and limited income families. Computer proficiency required. Good verbal and written communication skills. Access to reliable insured transportation. Must be able to pass a pre-employment and/or periodic physical examination, annual TB skin test, and complete background check every 24 months. Physical Requirements Must be able to frequently walk, stand and sit for extended time periods. Repetitive use of hands; reaching and turning; Ability to lift up to 30 pounds; light lifting of supplies and materials; Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus. Must be able to twist, turn, kneel, bend and stoop. Must be able to monitor children's safety in activities when needed