Job description

The mission of the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation (MAOF) is to provide for the socio-economic betterment of the greater Latino community of California, while preserving the pride, values and heritage of the Mexican American culture.

MEXICAN AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY FOUNDATION

JOB DESCRIPTION

Title: Mental Health Specialist

Department: MAOF Head Start/Early Head Start

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, Full-Time

Supervised: Program Manager and/or Designee

JOB SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the Mental Health and Disabilities Manager, the Mental Health Specialist will be responsible for monitoring referrals; coordinating mental health services between staff, parents, and mental health consultants; provide mental health and wellness services and trainings in our early childhood education program; monitor completion of social-emotional screenings and monitor the program’s database for timely and accurate entries for services rendered to children and families.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The following responsibilities are representative of those assigned to the position.

• Conduct site visits to monitor the completion of developmental screens (social emotional) and monitor for compliance with require postings.
• Solicits teachers' information, observations, and concerns about children's mental wellness.
• As needed, may conduct classroom observations at centers for the purposes of identifying trends and patterns related to training and supports needed by teaching staff to best support the children’s social emotional development.
• Completes data entry for mental health service area and creates mental health files for referral received. Conducts file review per agency policies and procedures.
• Coordinates services for children with mental health needs. This includes tracking referrals and ensuring a consultant is responding to the referrals within the required timelines and work with the parents and teachers on recommended actions.
• Make referrals for services that are appropriate.
• Serve as a liaison with the therapists who provide mental health services to children in the program.
• Assist as needed to secure parent consent for focus or individual observation of their child's behavior and development, including separation and attachment.
• Work closely with our Education and Disabilities teams for the purposes of developing coordinated approaches to individual child and/or family’s needs.
• Assist in providing non-licensure trainings, mental wellness activities.
• Monitors services and provides reports to the Mental Health and Disabilities Manager to ensure compliance with laws and regulations.
• Provide training to employees and parents as needed/directed.
• Track all developmental screenings.
• Schedule time/ meetings that facilitate the communication between teachers, family child care providers and the contracted consultants.
• Review the developmental screening to identify concerns or delays. Co-facilitate family meetings to discuss developmental concerns (social/emotional, cognitive, physical benchmarks and milestones) with teachers and/or family child care providers.
• Assist in planning, coordination, and follow-up with the transition of children who are receiving mental health services.
• Coordinate with mental health community agencies to connect families or children with ongoing therapy services. Follow-up with families and mental health community agencies to ensure connection and continuation of services.
• Promotes discussions and education to parents on how to strengthen nurturing and supportive environments and relationships in the home and in the Head Start program.
• Promotes children's mental wellness by providing individual parent conferences on mental health issues.
• Works with family services staff to encourage parent participation in mental health education opportunities.
• Works with the Disabilities Coordinator and Disabilities Assistant to ensure children with potential multiple delays are referred to the local education agency/regional center.
• Schedule individual consultations with parents and the contracted consultants.
• Participate in the annual program self-assessment and monitoring visits.
• Work closely with the Mental Health and Disabilities Manager to plan integrated services for all children.
• Submits required service area reports in an accurate and timely fashion.
• Participates in case management meetings.
• Comply with all Grantee mandates and program policies and procedures
• Additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Must have a Baccalaureate or Advanced Degree in psychology, social work, or related field
• Minimum of two years’ experience providing Mental Health services or support to children and families with training and experience in the theories and principles of child growth and development.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish).
• Excellent organizational ability and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Excellent computer skills.
• Demonstrated ability to perform multiple tasks effectively in a fast-paced, challenging, and constantly changing environment.
• Must have computer database skills for assigned data entry.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

Must meet State health requirements: Must submit to a pre-employment physical examination and Tuberculosis (TB) clearance at the time of employment, to be renewed every four years. Must submit to a flu vaccine once a year. Must provide vaccination records for influenza, pertussis and measles, at the time of employment. Must submit to a flu vaccine once a year. COVID 19 vaccination required.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess a valid California driver’s license, have use of a motor vehicle, and provide evidence of auto liability insurance as required by law. Good driving record.
• Must possess fingerprints clearance by the Department of Justice (DOJ)/Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Live Scan Agency or State Licensing Agency.
• Fingerprint clearance must be obtained for continued employment with MAOF. A clearance number revoked by DOJ/FBI or State Licensing Agency will result in immediate termination of employment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representatives of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to physically interact with the staff and children, stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

MAOF is committed to a diverse workforce. As part of this commitment, MAOF provides equal opportunity in all of our employment practices, including selection, hiring, promotion, transfer, and compensation, to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, medical condition as defined by state law, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, ethnic group identification, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other legally protected status.

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