SUMMARY: As a vital member of the Head Start management team, the Mental Health and disabilities Coordinator will work with other team members to ensure disabilities and mental health services are provided that meet or exceed State Licensing, Head Start Performance Standards, and IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) regulations; Provide staff and parents with training on advocacy, IDEA and community resources; Work effectively with community partners to build strong effective collaborations which results in effective high quality service delivery to children and families.
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBLITIES: Include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
• Ensure on-going recruitment of eligible families with children with IEP’s and IFSP’s.
• Monitor the enrollment expectation of 10% enrollment of children with identified special needs.
• Be knowledgeable of community and program resources to support staff in referring families for needed services.
• Ensure staff knowledge and competency regarding Performance Standards, Policies and Procedures, referrals to community partners and access to community services for children with identified special needs.
• Train and support teaching staff with utilizing Positive Behavior Strategies (PBS) for children and families in the program.
• Provide all training, mentoring, and coaching as needed for individual staff members to achieve competency in implementing Special Education services.
• Work closely with the Education Coordinator and Family & Community Engagement Coordinator to ensure appropriate services and planned and provided to children with disability and mental health needs.
• Work with Management Team to support the parents/guardians as the first and most important teacher for their child.
• Identify barriers that prohibit optimal development of parents/guardians as the first teacher and help parents/guardians access services to achieve success in this.
• Responsible for coordinating services with Local Educational Agencies, contracted special education providers and/or mental health and disabilities service providers.
• Ensure coordination of programming through positive relationships with all partners.
• Lead implementation and compliance of specific sub-parts of Head Start Performance Standards as assigned.
• Compile and submit data for the Program Information Report (PIR).
• Serve as a member of Head Start Management Team and attend scheduled meetings.
• Coordinate mental health services and ensure implementation of mental health programming through positive relationships.
• Track all data related to the delivery of services to children with special needs or mental health issues.
• Review all consultation notes from mental health consultants and discuss any related issues with the appropriate Management Team members.
• Plan, coordinate, and facilitate Health Advisory Committee meetings twice a year.2
• Update policies and procedures related to disabilities and mental health services as needed.
• Assist with the annually conducted Self-Assessment.
• Respect and support cultural differences and diverse family structures.
• Attend mandatory In-Service trainings and staff meetings.
• Responsible to report any suspected abuse or neglect to appropriate authority.
• Travel within agency service area with occasional out of area trips for training.
• Maintain and assure confidentiality and privacy of all clientele information.
• Other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS: The individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Must have strong computer skills. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position requires a thorough understanding of the culture and the needs of the Tribes of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region. Strong written, oral, organizational, and analytical skills are required. Bilingual Yup’ik/English preferred. Demonstrated ability to work in rural bilingual and intercultural programs. Demonstrated commitment and respect for the health and welfare of young children and families. Must be able to travel in and out of region as required in small aircraft and to use the Head start Center for lodging when traveling. Must pass a Physical Examination, TB test and criminal records background check. Native Hire Preference.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: High School diploma or GED required. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in Social Work, Special Education, Education, or related field is required for the position.
This position is a TJC-30 (HS pay scale), DOE – $48,446.86- $53,021.45
Job Posting Expiration Date: July 28, 2022
We hope to have this position filled by date listed above, if no qualified applicant is hired, we may advertise an additional 30 days.