Alliance for Community Empowerment
ALLIANCE FOR COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT, INC.
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Mental Health
Manager
DEPT: Early Learning Division
REPORTS TO: Senior Coordinator, Mental Health
FLSA: Exempt
& Disabilities
JOB SUMMARY: Responsible for the overall coordination and oversight of mental health services for children and families within the Early Learning Division. Ensure that mental health practices and services align with the Head Start Program Performance Standards and are implemented effectively across the program. The Mental Health Manager will work collaboratively with other program components and community partners to create a comprehensive, integrated approach to promoting the mental health and well-being of children, families, and staff, fostering positive environments, and ensuring services are culturally appropriate and family-centered.
CHILDREN SUPERVISION RESPONSIBILITY:
Responsible for child supervision and for keeping children safe.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
1. Implement program practices that promote the healthy social and emotional development of all children, utilizing an early childhood mental health consultation model that strengthens program and classroom practices, is child and family-centered, and is culturally appropriate.
2. Oversee and coordinate the delivery of mental health services to children with social-emotional concerns. Provide direct services to children, including intervention strategies, and referrals to external mental health services when needed.
3. Provide ongoing training, technical assistance, and coaching to staff on identifying and addressing children's social-emotional and mental health needs. Support staff in integrating mental health practices within classroom management, curriculum, and teaching practices.
4. Oversee the timely follow-up on referrals for children with mental health concerns, working with the multidisciplinary team to provide a comprehensive approach. Ensure referrals are tracked, appropriate interventions are implemented, and outcomes are monitored.
5. Create and implement both programmatic intervention strategies and individualized plans for children with mental health and social-emotional needs. Ensure these plans are developmentally appropriate and trauma-informed.
6. Support families in understanding and addressing their child's mental health needs and collaborate with families to develop individualized family support plans. Facilitate educational trainings/workshops on relevant mental health topics to staff and parents throughout the program year.
7. Maintain accurate and timely documentation of all activities related to the identification of children's needs, intervention plans, services provided, and outcomes. Ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, regulations, and all applicable reporting requirements.
8. Provide oversight and supervision for the Trauma-Informed Therapeutic (TLCC) program, ensuring the program is implemented in line with the funding sources, completion of reports, and maintain the database.
9. Supervision and oversight of the Mental Health Specialists, including the TLCC Therapeutic Specialist.
10. Perform other work-related duties as assigned.
E
DUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS REQUIRED: • Master's Degree in Psychology, Social Work or related field OR a Bachelor's degree plus three (3) years' experience in early childhood mental health, particularly in a Head Start or similar early learning environment (required). • Experience in delivering mental health services and interventions for children and families. • Strong knowledge of early childhood development, mental health issues, disabilities, and trauma-informed care. • Knowledge and experience in data collection and information processes and systems, along with knowledge of childcare regulations, policy, and procedure compliance. • Excellent organizational skills. • Proven ability to provide effective leadership and supervision to staff. • Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills. • Strong ability to collaborate with community partners, families, and internal teams. • Ability to interface with parents, program staff, and the children. • Able to handle multiple priorities. • Must have a valid CT driver's license with a good driving record and willingness to travel.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
HOURS/DAY
0-1 1-2 2-4 4-7
Standing X
Sitting X
Reaching X
Driving X
Walking X
Twisting X
Squatting X
Lifting X
Bending X
Gripping X
Keyboard use X
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER-THROUGH AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Mental Health
Manager
DEPT: Early Learning Division
REPORTS TO: Senior Coordinator, Mental Health
FLSA: Exempt
& Disabilities
JOB SUMMARY: Responsible for the overall coordination and oversight of mental health services for children and families within the Early Learning Division. Ensure that mental health practices and services align with the Head Start Program Performance Standards and are implemented effectively across the program. The Mental Health Manager will work collaboratively with other program components and community partners to create a comprehensive, integrated approach to promoting the mental health and well-being of children, families, and staff, fostering positive environments, and ensuring services are culturally appropriate and family-centered.
CHILDREN SUPERVISION RESPONSIBILITY:
Responsible for child supervision and for keeping children safe.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
1. Implement program practices that promote the healthy social and emotional development of all children, utilizing an early childhood mental health consultation model that strengthens program and classroom practices, is child and family-centered, and is culturally appropriate.
2. Oversee and coordinate the delivery of mental health services to children with social-emotional concerns. Provide direct services to children, including intervention strategies, and referrals to external mental health services when needed.
3. Provide ongoing training, technical assistance, and coaching to staff on identifying and addressing children's social-emotional and mental health needs. Support staff in integrating mental health practices within classroom management, curriculum, and teaching practices.
4. Oversee the timely follow-up on referrals for children with mental health concerns, working with the multidisciplinary team to provide a comprehensive approach. Ensure referrals are tracked, appropriate interventions are implemented, and outcomes are monitored.
5. Create and implement both programmatic intervention strategies and individualized plans for children with mental health and social-emotional needs. Ensure these plans are developmentally appropriate and trauma-informed.
6. Support families in understanding and addressing their child's mental health needs and collaborate with families to develop individualized family support plans. Facilitate educational trainings/workshops on relevant mental health topics to staff and parents throughout the program year.
7. Maintain accurate and timely documentation of all activities related to the identification of children's needs, intervention plans, services provided, and outcomes. Ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, regulations, and all applicable reporting requirements.
8. Provide oversight and supervision for the Trauma-Informed Therapeutic (TLCC) program, ensuring the program is implemented in line with the funding sources, completion of reports, and maintain the database.
9. Supervision and oversight of the Mental Health Specialists, including the TLCC Therapeutic Specialist.
10. Perform other work-related duties as assigned.
E
DUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS REQUIRED: • Master's Degree in Psychology, Social Work or related field OR a Bachelor's degree plus three (3) years' experience in early childhood mental health, particularly in a Head Start or similar early learning environment (required). • Experience in delivering mental health services and interventions for children and families. • Strong knowledge of early childhood development, mental health issues, disabilities, and trauma-informed care. • Knowledge and experience in data collection and information processes and systems, along with knowledge of childcare regulations, policy, and procedure compliance. • Excellent organizational skills. • Proven ability to provide effective leadership and supervision to staff. • Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills. • Strong ability to collaborate with community partners, families, and internal teams. • Ability to interface with parents, program staff, and the children. • Able to handle multiple priorities. • Must have a valid CT driver's license with a good driving record and willingness to travel.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
HOURS/DAY
0-1 1-2 2-4 4-7
Standing X
Sitting X
Reaching X
Driving X
Walking X
Twisting X
Squatting X
Lifting X
Bending X
Gripping X
Keyboard use X
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER-THROUGH AFFIRMATIVE ACTION