Early Childhood Consultant (Part-Time)

Qualifications: 

The Early Childhood Consultant will serve as the regional expert in the social, emotional, developmental and mental health issues of substance exposed infants, pregnant and/or parenting women who use substances or those who are at high risk for using opioids or other substances.

The Early Childhood Consultant must be knowledgeable about early childhood mental health, including, but not limited to: child development, social-emotional wellness and healthy attachment.  He/she must also be familiar with the parent-child dyad.

This position requires a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited school in social work, psychology, nursing, professional counseling or another related field.  Licensure is not necessary, however the person should be familiar with adverse childhood experiences and how they can affect adult behavior and relationships.

Basic knowledge of addiction and family systems is beneficial.

Submit to and pass a criminal record check and a drug screening test.

Hours:

Monday through Friday 8:00 am until 4:30 pm   Evening and weekend hours may be required.

This position works closely with the Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist and reports directly to the Children’s Services Director.

Summary of Job Duties: 

The Early Childhood Consultant is responsible for providing education and consultation regarding substance-exposed infants and trauma-exposed young children of mothers recovering from substance use disorders to help mitigate adverse childhood experiences and improve early childhood development and attachment.

The Early Childhood Consultant will provide consultation, trainings, coaching and outreach to families, medical personnel, child welfare i.e. DCBS, women’s treatment staff, health care providers and other community partners who work with pregnant and parenting women with or at risk of developing substance use disorders, on the impact of substance use on infants; early childhood development; healthy attachment and building resilience in families affected by substance use.

The Early Childhood Consultant will work toward expanding the system of care and help reduce the intergenerational impact of substance use on families by providing direct services and education to families affected by substances.

The Early Childhood Consultant will assist in referring mothers and their children (ages 0-18) to various mental health/substance use disorder programs that focus on the parent-child dyad, building healthy relationships and supporting the child’s development.  Services can include, but not limited to: prevention services, therapeutic services, early childhood services, psychiatric services, educational groups, parenting classes, peer support services, case management services, outpatient mental health, outpatient substance use services, medication assisted treatment, residential substance use treatment, etc.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Include the following:

• Plans, organizes, directs and evaluates the overall operation of designated the consulting program.
• Assist in the establishment of policies, procedures, system development and implementation to meet all licensing and accreditation requirements.
• Responsible for overall productivity of the program to meet standards per agency policy.
• Responsible for evaluating the program’s effectiveness and improving the overall performance.
• Responsible for describing and quantifying the number of consultations, referrals, educational services delivered, trainings, technical assistance, coaching and outreach provided and to whom on a quarterly basis.
• Operate the program in a cost effective manner and monitor revenues and expenditures.
• Make an assessment of and determine the clinical interventions for the assigned consumers.  The population can include: children, adolescents, and adults.
• Implement a treatment plan based on assessment data as well as a sound knowledge base of standards of professional practice and principles of their respected discipline.