POSITION: Mental Health Coordinator
JOB CODE: MHDSMHC
OCCUPATIONAL GROUPING: Mental Health and Disabilities
REPORTS TO: Assistant Director of Program Services
CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt
POSITION TYPE: Full Time/Full Year (12-Months)
SALARY GRADE: 40
HOURLY PAY RANGE: $36.55 to $38.40
PROGRAM SUMMARY
Plaza de la Raza Child Development Services, Inc. (Plaza) is a comprehensive early childhood education program with a focus on school readiness for children zero to five years of age. Developmentally appropriate services are provided for children from low-income families, zero to five years of age. Plaza de la Raza currently serves over 700 children and their families.
DEFINITION
Coordinates mental health cases and related program services; works with consultants in assessing client needs and in developing and implementing mental health plans to meet clients' needs. The Mental Health Coordinator assists educational and/or other employees in working with a single child or a small group for persons having physical or mental disabilities; assists employees in the implementation of individual development plans and to accommodate physical or mental disabilities in the learning environment.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
General direction is provided by the Assistant Director of Programs. Supervision may be exercised over the Mental Health/Disabilities Assistant position.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
• Plans, organizes, coordinates and monitors mental health related services for Head Start/Early Head Start children, families and staff.
• Ensures compliance with state and federal regulations, serves as an advocate for family and infant/toddler/child mental health issues.
• Provides counseling/advising, conflict resolution, conveying policies to uninformed persons and formal speaking with interfaces that include consultants, parents, students, District staff and community agencies/resources.
• Coordinates and implements referral and tracking systems.
• Serves as a case manager given study issues and the interpretation of Individualized Education Plans. Completes annual reports and monthly tracking and monitoring internal reports for the mental health service area.
• Provides budgetary input for mental health service area.
• Assists staff in recognizing possible mental health problems and appropriate referrals and follow-through.
• Coordinates and implements staff/parent trainings.
• Provides mental health information at monthly Parent Policy Committee meetings.
• Interacts with public and private service agencies to develop memorandums of understanding.
• Conducts home visits, as needed.
• Completes and delivers written performance evaluations for new employees, annual performance appraisals and professional development plans.
• Conducts ongoing monitoring activities of mental health services protocol to ensure the program remains in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, including Head Start Performance Standards.
• Provides for therapeutic sessions, as needed.
• Works with other content specialist to address family needs and resource.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Knowledge of:
Infant/toddler mental health and appropriate approaches; Desired Result Developmental Profile- Preschool (2015); Classroom Assessment Scoring System Ages and Stages Questionnaire Child Plus software; Parents Interacting with Infants (PIWI).
Ability to:
Work with socioeconomically disadvantaged children and families; build a trust with families to provide quality mental health services; seek mental health resources to build collaborative services to be low to no cost to the Head Start/Early Head Start families.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a social sciences field or behavioral health, mental health, psychology or related field and a valid California license to practice, recognized by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Experience:
Four (4) years of work experience in social services involving social work, family mental health or psychological counseling, psychology, or related field.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
• Successful completion of an initial health examination, performed by or under the supervision of a physician, to determine, at a minimum, of the prospective employee can perform requirements of the job description physical requirements.
• Proof of the absence of Tuberculosis, from a physician to that the prospective employee is cleared to work with children and families.
• Documentation of current immunizations against influenza, Mumps, Measles & Rubella (MMR) and Pertussis (TDAP).
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met, or encountered, by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit and climb or balance. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
• A valid California driver's license and the availability of private transportation or the ability to obtain transportation between job sites is required.
• Must possess fingerprint clearance from the State, FBI, and Child Abuse Central Index at all times during employment.
• Must have verification that determines eligibility for employment in the United States of America.
• As a mandated reporter of child abuse, must immediately report any suspected child abuse and/or neglect to Child Protective Services.
MAINTAIN PROFESSIONAL AND ETHICAL STANDARDS
• Maintains confidentiality in accordance with Agency policy and legal requirements.
• Respects and maintains rights and privacy of all staff, parents, and children.
• Attends mandated trainings and meetings, and seek out staff development opportunities.
• Works as a team member with all staff and maintain a positive work ethic.
• Acts conscientiously in performing routine duties.
Adheres to Plaza de la Raza's Standard of Conduct which indicates that staff members are required to adhere to
the following codes of conduct:
1. Respect and promote the unique identity of each child and family and refrain from stereotyping on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, culture, religion, or disability;
2. Follow program confidentiality policies concerning information about children, families and other staff members;
3. Maintain visual observation of children at all times and not leave any child alone or unsupervised while under their care;
4. Use positive methods of child guidance and will not engage in corporal punishment, emotional or physical abuse, or humiliation.
5. Not employ methods of discipline that involve isolations, the used of food as punishment or reward, or the denial of basic needs.
6. Not solicit or accept personal gratuities, favors or anything of significant monetary value form contractors or potential contractors.
7. Maintain respect and promote professional relationships with the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE), families, staff and children.
8. Refrain from the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of alcoholic beverage, controlled substance, and tobacco products in the workplace or at any activity funded by federal or state funds.
9. Maintain adherence to LACOE, state, or federal mandates, including but not limited to program eligibility determination regulations for Early Head Start, Head Start or state preschool services.
10. Enrolling pregnant women and children that are not eligible to receive Early Head Start or Head Start services.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Plaza de la Raza Child Development Services Inc. is an equal opportunity employer to all. Plaza de la Raza Child Development Services is committed to creating a community in which a diverse population can learn, live, and work in an atmosphere of tolerance, civility, and respect for the rights and sensibilities of each individual regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
BENEFIT PLANS
Plaza offers eligible employees the opportunity to select plans and programs that meet individual and family needs through our comprehensive benefit plans listed below:
Health Care: Medical (Kaiser), Dental (Guardian), Vision (Guardian), Long Term Disability Insurance, Life Insurance, Accident and Hospital Coverages.
Financial: 401(k) Plan
Paid Time Off: Vacation, Holidays, Sick Leave, Bereavement Leave and Jury Duty
Work/Life Solutions: Life Assistance Program
APPLICATION PROCESS
1. Complete an online employment application on www.plazadelarazacds.org; and submit the required documentation: 1) Cover Letter; 2) Resume; and 3) Transcripts reflecting degree and major; 4) Copy of a valid California license to practice which is recognized by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Only complete application packets will be considered for the screening and selection process.
2. Submit official transcripts prior to date of hire.