Disabilities & Mental Health Coordinator

Crystal Stairs, Inc.

Improving the Lives of Families through

Child Care Services, Research, and Advocacy

Head Start - Disabilities & Mental Health Coordinator

This position is a fully onsite position. The following job summary is for descriptive purposes only. The actual job description and job title is subject to change.

Under the direction of the Health Services Manager, the Disabilities and Mental Health Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that program services are provided to families with children with emotional/developmental needs. The Disabilities and Mental Health Coordinator implements, coordinates and evaluates services and methods for both staff and families in providing the overall mental health approach in the program. This position works within an interdisciplinary team setting with other Head Start staff, using case-management protocols that integrate service areas, to address identified concerns for children.

RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Ensures that children receive necessary services offered both by the program and outside organizations.
2. Provides prevention, early identification on suspected disabilities and mental health concerns.
3. Coordinates the preparation and updating of the Mental Health and Disabilities Service Area Plans and ensure implementation of the plan.
4. Designs and implements a formal internal and external referral, tracking and follow-up systems for all children requiring disability, mental health services.
5. Primary supervisor for the Special Needs Aides including placement scheduling, performance appraisals and day to day oversight.
6. Compiles and maintains files on available community related resources including Local Education Agencies (LEA/SELPA).
7. Procures contracts with outside licensed professionals such as psychologists who can provide services to children and their families and advise them on particular issues.
8. Coordinates regularly scheduled multidisciplinary team meetings and ensures timely follow up to meet family's comprehensive needs.
9. Ensure that the Multi-Disciplinary Team Intervention Plan and/or strategies are being implemented and the progress is documented in the agencies electronic tracking system.
10. Creates, implements, and evaluates procedures as needed.
11. Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE:

• Knowledge of Child Care Licensing Regulations and Head Start Performance Standards and best practices related to special education, early intervention and early childhood education.
• Knowledge of public health programs and other resources and the availability of such programs in the community.
• Knowledge of safety standards as they relate to health, food service and nutrition management for children with disabilities and mental health concerns.
• Knowledge of general business practices such as supervisory practices, administrative basics, general financials, and risk management.
• Knowledge of local resources, services, and networks

EDUCATION:

Bachelor degree in sociology, guidance and counseling, social work, or a related field preferred; relevant work experience in human services/social services or child development may be substituted for college level education.

EXPERIENCE:

Two (2) years experience as a paraprofessional in a preschool, mental health or social services agency. Two (2) years administrative, leadership and training supervisory experience is highly desirable.

Total Package of Benefits

• Medical/ Dental/ Vision/ Life - 95% Agency paid!
• 401k Matching Options
• Flex Spending
• Pre-paid Legal Services
• Sick and Vacation Time
• Paid Holidays
• Training Days/Staff Development
• Opportunity for Advancement
• Robust Learning Management System offering the following continuing education units: PDC, HRCI, CEU, CPE, PDU, SHRM

Crystal Stairs is committed to building and sustaining a diverse workforce and culture. As part of this commitment, Crystal Stairs 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.

For more information about Crystal Stairs, please visit our website at: www.crystalstairs.org

All Head Start positions are implemented in accordance with the Head Start Performance Standards in each service area.