Mental Health Specialist
EHS CDA, Coeur d'Alene, ID, US
Salary Range:$55,538.80 To 60,701.92 Annually
Summary:
The Mental Health Specialist (MHS) is a member of the Leadership and Child and Family Services Multidisciplinary Teams. The primary function of this position is to help cultivate a culture of wellness program- wide and ensure that effective mental health services and support are provided according to staff and family needs and Head Start Program Performance Standards. Specific duties include provision of consultation, reflection, and education opportunities to staff and families that support mental health and well-being, establishing systems for effective communication, identification of mental health needs and access to services in our communities, supporting staff with the implementation of mental health curriculum, program monitoring, record keeping, and continuous quality improvement efforts, and professional development.
Schedule, Travel and Location:
- This is a full time 40 hour per week position
- Office hours are 8:30 am – 5 pm, some flexible hours
- Potential to work a four-day work week, with approval
- This position is hybrid (remote and in-person)
- Some work will be completed off-site
- Work location, days of week and flexibility around scheduling varies based on programmatic need
- Travel time and mileage reimbursement is provided
- Willingness and ability to drive and work in Kootenai, Bonner and Shoshone counties
Leadership Functions and Responsibilities
- Understand and implement the mission, philosophy, goals, priorities, and Standards of Conduct of MSEHS, Jannus, and the Office of Head Start
- Be familiar with and able to apply applicable Head Start Program Performance Standards
- Maintain a program-wide commitment to a family centered, strengths and relationship-based approach
- Ensure that MSEHS’ practices honor the values of enrolled families and incorporate equity, trust, and inclusiveness
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Implement a program-wide culture that promotes mental health, social and emotional well-being, and overall health and safety; this includes being a part of the Child and Family Services Multidisciplinary Team.
- Be an ongoing source of mental health and well-being support and resource to staff, parents, and children; support the implementation of strategies and curriculum that build nurturing and responsive relationships and create positive learning environments that promote the mental health and social and emotional development of all children and families.
- Ensure that all children and pregnant participants receive screening and appropriate follow-up, including referrals and guidance on how to navigate services for potential social, emotional, behavioral, or other mental health concerns.
- Coordinate mental health consultation services that build the capacity of adults in an infant or young child’s life to strengthen and support the mental health and social and emotional development of children.
- Facilitate staff reflection opportunities on a regular and consistent basis; model and foster individual and group reflection and self-awareness (recognizing, understanding, and promoting the need for effective parallel process).
- Provide or coordinate trainings/classes to empower and build capacity of staff and families to support infant and toddler mental health, and social emotional well-being.
- Build and maintain community partnerships to facilitate access to additional mental health resources and services, as needed. Attend community meetings, develop Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), Interagency Agreements (IAs), and contracts with applicable community partners and mental health consultants.
- Assist staff in acquiring required documentation from mental health care and community providers, troubleshooting concerns
- Use data from ChildPlus to actively monitor current trends and concerns with mental health services.
- Conduct 10% monitoring of participant files to support staff with implementation of MSEHS’ mental health services and ensure that required services are happening and are appropriately documented.
- With support from the Performance & Compliance Manager, Health & Safety Specialist, and Perinatal & Nutrition Specialist, assist in planning the Health Services Advisory Committee (HSAC) meetings with North Idaho College Head Start. Recruit community providers and parents, facilitate HSAC meetings, and ensure timely follow up and continuous improvement activities are completed.
- Participate in monthly MSEHS Policy Council meetings. Prepare and present reports regarding mental health services.
- Assist with yearly assessments/reports (self-assessment, annual report, etc.) and annual grant writing as needed.
- Write short articles for MSEHS’ newsletters related to required mental health education topics
- Stay abreast of changing mental health trends in our service area that could impact our participants
- Help staff understand and practice professional boundaries and ethical standards
- Ensure program materials (e.g. forms, process guidance, handbooks, and policies) for effective service implementation are useful, updated annually, and support program services
- Other duties as assigned
Education and Experience Qualifications
- Master’s Degree in Education, Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, or closely related field
- 1 year of relevant work experience
- Knowledge or experience working with culturally, developmentally, and age-diverse groups
- Preferred – Training in Circle of Security Parenting, Trauma Informed Care
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and computer literacy regarding email and internet use
- Experience evaluating data and working with electronic database systems
- Willingness to travel between sites for home visits, consultation, training, meetings, etc.
To Apply:
Go to the Jannus Employment page at www.jannus.org/employment. A resume and cover letter are required. If you are unable to submit your application materials through the electronic application process, please contact Jannus Human Resources at 208.336.5533. Applications will be accepted through January 24, 2024.
Jannus, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer