Child, Inc. is a diverse workplace committed to provide low-income families with early childhood education, mental health services, disabilities services, nutritional services, medical and dental services, social services and parent engaged activities. As a non-profit organization, our mission is to provide high quality education and comprehensive support services for children and their families while promoting personal and social responsibility in the communities we serve. This is a full-time hourly position with benefits that include health, vision and dental insurance, 401k, paid time off and other benefits. Child Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Position Description

Mental Health Counselor assists the Mental Health/Disabilities Manager in providing prevention, early identification, and early intervention in mental health problems that interfere with a child’s development. The Mental Health Counselor is responsible for providing early childhood mental health consultation support to Head Start staff, children, and families. The Mental Health Counselor will provide a broad range of services, including early childhood mental health consultation in classrooms; training and coaching staff; screening, assessment and referral services; promotion and marketing of group services; and providing parent trainings. The Mental Health Counselor will also collect data, maintain records, and support compliance in all facets of Head Start Performance Standards and State regulations.

Description of Job Tasks

Provide child development information related to social emotional development and mental health. Provide guidance to staff on selecting, implementing, and interpreting social emotional screening and assessment tools and findings. Provide guidance and model developmentally appropriate activities for children and effective ways to work with and support young children.     Provide written and oral observations and strengths based feedback to classrooms. Support, coordinate, and provide staff trainings related to social emotional and mental health issues. Assist in providing special help with children with atypical behaviors or development. Orient, train and educate parents. Conduct observations and assessments of individual children as assigned or referred for consultation. Meet with families to consult on child and family needs and create or follow up on plans to support these needs. Conduct standardized developmental, behavioral, and/or social emotional screens and assessments for individual children as assigned or referred for consultation.

Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

•    Must have the ability to work and maintain high standards of professional ethics with persons of different racial, ethnic, economic and social backgrounds.
•    Demonstrated understanding of infant and early childhood mental health.
•    Demonstrated understanding of differences in mental health services and concepts across cultures.
•    Demonstrated knowledge of child mental health services system.
•    Demonstrated experience with clinical documentation.
•    Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with service providers and families.
•    Partner with providers as a member of a diverse team.
•    Lead and facilitate provider training and/or parent education groups.
•    Conduct standardized screens and assessments, preferably for young children.
•    Use results of screens and assessments to guide work with families, set goals, and develop individualized plans.
•    Refer providers and families to appropriate community services.
•    Communicate effectively with diverse groups both verbally and in writing.

Education and Experience

Master’s Degree required, preferably in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or related field. Minimum of 2 years direct experience in a mental health setting providing prevention services and/or mental health therapy to preschool children and their families.  Experience formulating and writing assessments and support plans, preferably for young children. Experience with evidence based practices and curricula to promote early childhood mental health is desirable, e.g., Incredible Years, Parents as Teachers. Clinical license highly desirable.  Knowledge of Head Start is desirable. Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Background Check Requirement

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.