Advisor I, Health

About the Role

The Advisor I, Program Mental Health is responsible for overseeing the mental health content area of the program and works closely with the Head Start Program Director and the content area management team. This role supports a program-wide culture that promotes children's mental health, social and emotional well-being, safety of children and staff, and overall health. The Advisor I, Program Mental Health ensures the implementation of mental and behavioral health program services in accordance with Head Start regulations and other State and federal requirements, including those associated with the American Disabilities Act (ADA). This position promotes positive outcomes for young children by helping staff develop the attitudes and skills necessary to effectively support their social and emotional development, strengthening the program's ability to create nurturing environments that foster mental wellness among children, families, and staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Under the supervision of the Senior Advisor, Mental Health and in conjunction with the Head Start Program Director, implements mental health program policies and procedures and provides support to staff working with children and families to implement high-quality service delivery.
• Visits each site and classrooms on a regular basis to conduct classroom and individual child observations, provide training and technical assistance, coaching and mentoring, and build staff capacity by working directly with Head Start/EHS staff, parents, and community partners.
• Meets with center staff following classroom observations to discuss strengths and recommendations for classroom management and a physical and cultural environment that promotes mental health and trauma-informed care, along with providing mindfulness strategies for all staff.
• Facilitates the individual behavior support process, ensuring compliance with the Behavior Guidance Policy and completion of required reports and supporting documentation.
• Ensures psychological diagnostic evaluations occur for children when needed, performing evaluations or making referrals for testing.
• Facilitates training for program staff on developmental and social-emotional screening, disabilities, infant, child, and adult behavioral health, and family dynamics, providing information and resources to families and staff.
• Provides parent training and individual consultation to support children’s development and social-emotional growth.
• Coordinates with the program director and other managers/specialists to develop pre-service and ongoing in-service training for high-quality service implementation.
• Continues to build and enhance the network of mental health service providers for low-income families.
• Develops and implements quality assurance activities including database monitoring, on-site visitations/observations, program reviews, consultation, and follow-up.
• Supports and participates in the Health and Family Services Advisory Committees.
• Assists in the general administration of the Head Start program by participating in the ongoing program evaluation and planning process and the annual assessment process.
• Participates and/or encourages local staff participation on inter-agency coordination councils, child and adolescent service system program teams, care coordination councils, and individual systems of care wrap-around teams.
• Participates and supports parents and staff as needed in IEP/IFSP meetings.
• Maintains ongoing communication to ensure high-quality service delivery with educational cooperatives, private providers, early intervention and behavioral health specialists, and supports partnerships with program staff and parents.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Master's degree and licensed in accordance with the state mental/behavioral health professional licensing agency (Counseling, Social Work or Psychology).
• Demonstrated experience providing mental and behavior health services.
• Knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards and health and nutrition services for infant, toddler, and preschool programs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of administration, basic fiscal accountability, and public relations skills.
• Demonstrated experience developing consistent, stable, and supportive relationships with young children.
• Proven ability to exercise professional judgment and evaluation before making decisions.
• Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, children, parents, and outside agencies.
• Demonstrated successful ability to communicate and collaborate with individuals and teams at all levels, both internal and external.
• Proven successful problem-solving and time management skills.
• Professional proficiency in MS Office Suite.
• Professional proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering an environment of diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Willingness to travel up to 40%.
• Ability to perform medium to heavy physical work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently and up to 5-10 pounds constantly, performing activities such as sitting, crawling, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, and grasping.
• Clear pre-employment background check requirements, including criminal records check, sex offender registries, employment and education verifications, and child abuse registry check (if required by state regulations).
• Pass all state and local health requirements post job offer and prior to employment.
• Valid driver's license and compliance with Save the Children policies pertaining to the safe operation of motor vehicles may be required.

Qualifications

• Current and former Head Start/Early Head Start parents will receive preference for employment vacancies for which they are qualified.