Director of Mental Health

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

In accordance with the Head Start Federal Guidelines, all mental health professionals including the Director of Mental Health Services must be licensed by the State of New Mexico in psychology, counseling, social work or a related mental health field. Mental Health Professionals must have an M.A., M.S., MSW, or Ph.D. Minimum of six years experience providing clinical services with an emphasis in serving young children and their families (four of those years must have been providing direct clinical supervision). Mental Health Professionals must have acquired a thorough understanding of dynamics of early childhood psychological development as evidenced by one or more courses at a graduate level in developmental psychology, and the ability to recognize/identify needs of children, youth and families. These abilities must include understanding of infant and children from birth through five years of age.

DIRECTOR OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES: The Director of Mental Health Services is responsible for the federally mandated duties of the mental health coordinator, the mental health content area expert and the duties of the mental health professional in Bernalillo County. Additionally the Director of mental health services supervises other Mental Health Professionals in the Northern Counties of Rio Arriba and Taos.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

In accordance with the Head Start Federal Guidelines, all mental health professionals including the Director of Mental Health Services must be licensed by the State of New Mexico in psychology, counseling, social work or a related mental health field. Mental Health Professionals must have an M.A., M.S., MSW, or Ph.D. Minimum of six years experience providing clinical services with an emphasis in serving young children and their families (four of those years must have been providing direct clinical supervision). Mental Health Professionals must have acquired a thorough understanding of dynamics of early childhood psychological development as evidenced by one or more courses at a graduate level in developmental psychology, and the ability to recognize/identify needs of children, youth and families. These abilities must include understanding of infant and children from birth through five years of age.

JOB CHARACTERISTICS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

This position is exempt from overtime provisions under the Fair Labor Standards Act. This is a professional position which requires organizational and communication skills, as well as judgment, tact and diplomacy in contacts with YDI employees, community residents, parents and local government agencies. Strict adherence is required to all regulation concerning confidentiality. The Director of Mental Health Services must be in good general health. Background investigation to include fingerprinting will be required. TB Skin Test is required and a Physical Exam is required every five years. Frequent travel is required by employee and proof of satisfactory car insurance is required.

Youth Development, Inc. is an at-will employer. Employment is by mutual consent of the company and employee, and either may terminate the relationship at any time with or without cause or advance notice. This job is contingent upon funding; however, availability of funding is not a guarantee of continued employment, nor does it imply any specific term of employment.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Not inclusive):

• The Director of Mental Health Services, working with YDI Headstart, will be responsible for providing oversight and mental health expertise to the mental health professionals hired by YDI Head Start or contracted through YDI Head Start.Additionally, the Director of Mental Health Services will provide the mental health professional duties within Bernalillo County if sufficient monies are not available to have a mental health professional contract or employee in Bernalillo County.
• The Director of Mental Health Services will work with other Mental Health Professionals within the Mental Health component of YDI Head Start to provide professional support and to make assignments other duties to professionals within the Mental Health component.
• Behavioral Support Team Meetings will provide teachers and families with interventions are designed to enhance the social and emotional development and mental wellness within the classroom milieu as well as at home.
• Mental Health Professional Services will also include Behavioral/Mental Health Consultations with Parents, Teachers, Service Specialists, Center Directors and Managers as requested.
• Mental Health Professional Services will include Trainings to YDI Head Start Staff throughout the year during Pre-Services and In-services as well as more individualized teacher consultations regarding enhancement of classroom childrens social and emotional development.
• Staff Trainings will be designed for the staff to develop sufficient knowledge so they can provide accurate information to parents regarding social/emotional development of infant toddler and child.Additionally, these trainings will help teachers and staff to assist children who display challenging behaviors within the classroom.
• The mental health professional will participate in collaboration with the Special Education Manager, other staff, parents, contracted professionals and staff from other agencies as needed in the process of referrals to Local LEA for children severe social, emotional, or behavioral needs that have impacted their ability to learn.Additionally, the mental health professional will assist as needed in referrals to Early Intervention Agencies for children zero to three who are in need of screening or assessment.
• Will conduct behavioral observational assessments of children with social, emotional, or behavioral concerns and provide findings to the appropriate referral agencies subsequent to informed parental consent to release information.
• Provide behavioral consultation with families and staff regarding children with significant social, emotional, or behavioral concerns as requested.
• Provide consultation in a manner that is culturally responsive and considers the family as a whole, and in a language and communication style that is appropriate and meaningful to all participants.
• Will maintain documentation of all mental health services, including parent consultations, teacher consultations, and behavioral intervention services, in a manner that meets professional, ethical, legal and Head Start standards.
• The Director of Mental Health Services is also assigned to be the Child Abuse and Neglect Designee, and will establish procedures for reporting and ensure annual training including indicators of child abuse and neglect is provided to all YDI Head start and Early Head Start Staff.