Early Childhood Job Center

Summary

The Mental Health and Disability Manager (MH/Disabilities Manager) ensures children with mental health and/or disabilities receive the proper support and that accommodations are made to ensure the children’s full participation in Early Head Start Child Care Partnership (EHS CCP) program activities. The MH/Disabilities Manager provides training, technical, and consultative support to children, families and staff on mental health, trauma informed care, Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP) and Individual Education Plans (IEP) advocacy and parent/child rights, provides facilitation and assistance to Early Head Start staff and families in the identification and accommodation of children with disabilities and behavioral needs.

Essential Functions include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Program Management (50 %)

• Responsible for overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the Early Head Start mental health and disabilities functions.
• Work with area professionals and organizations that provide services to Early Head Start children including those with disabilities and their families in an effort to coordinate available resources and ensure that enrolled children are receiving maximum and appropriate services in a timely manner.
• Make site visits to each classroom, HCCN, and center partner to assist in the identification of children with disabilities and/or mental health concerns and monitor to ensure children with diagnosed disabilities, developmental, and/or mental health concerns are receiving necessary services.
• Promote active parent involvement in the mental health and disability program and assure that the education program meets the child’s needs.
• In conjunction with other Early Head Start staff, assist the families in assuming the primary responsibility for their own health care and linking the child and their family into ongoing health services.
• Assist in coordination of follow-up mental health and disability services.
• Work closely with local partners in setting up Referrals for Assessment meetings for child and parent. Ensure appointments are kept.
• Coordinate with other staff, assist in interpreting the diagnosis to the teaching staff and parents, and ensure that the education program meets the child’s needs.
• Participate in the recruitment of children with disabilities.
• Coordinate/arrange for the assessment, diagnosis, and certification of children with disabilities, mental health diagnosis and/or suspected disabilities/mental health concerns.
• Coordinate the participation of program staff in the development of an IFSP/IEP for each child with disability or for children for whom a mental health plan is developed.
• Plan and implement procedures for the transition of children with disabilities out of the program.
• Ensure that assessment plans are developed by the multidisciplinary team, fully explained to parents, in a format consistent with Early Head Start requirements.
• Recommend purchases of special instructional materials and equipment consistent with the special needs to the children with mental health or disabilities as authorized within the approved budget plan.

Training, Education, and Meetings (30%)

• Train staff regarding conditions and job requirements necessary for specialized care and observation when needed.
• Ensure the agency compliance all pertinent policies and procedures.
• Train staff on diagnostic criteria, referral procedures, assessment and certification procedures, IFSP/IEP development, Public Law 94-142, mental health plans, parent rights, training, forms utilized within the component and other pertinent issues.
• Plan and implement training and technical assistance to staff and families.
• Assist the Health and Nutrition Services Manager in the organization of the Health Advisory Committee and in utilizing the committee in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the health, mental health, and disability content areas
• Attend the Health Advisory Committee meetings and utilizes the committee in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the mental health/disabilities content area.
• Schedule and chair multidisciplinary team meetings.

Data, Reporting, and Documentation (15%)

• Maintain and update data of individual mental health and disability records on each child in the assigned area as to what services are needed and received.
• Inspect and evaluate classrooms, playgrounds, and buildings for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance.
• Compile and analyze data on the effectiveness of the mental health, and disabilities services.
• Update the annual Head Start Services Plan and compile information for the Program Information Report (PIR).
• Develop and implement a referral procedure for staff, parent, and outside, agency referral of children suspected or diagnosed with disabilities/mental health.
• Participate in the review and analysis of screening results to identify children possibly requiring further assessment.
• Develop and implement a system for the exchange/release of confidential information with outside service providers in compliance with regulations.

Other (5%)

• Attend meetings, trainings, professional development, etc. as needed or requested.
• Assist in special projects as related to Early Head Start.