Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant (Northampton) ( $5,000 Bonus), $31.30/hr to $33.20/hr

Description

Department: Head Start & Early Learning Programs

Position: Infant Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) Consultant

Hours: 30 hours (40 weeks) 25 hours (12 weeks)

Location: As Assigned 

Status: Non-Exempt

Supervisor: Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Supervisor

Position Summary:

The Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant works closely with staff, families and community agencies to

1. Build capacity in families and staff to address children’s social and emotional needs through training, on-site consultation and parent education
2. Build bridges between systems and services on behalf of children, families and the overall program through referrals to community mental health providers, follow up coordination of care, and tracking
3. Provide support outlined in HSELP Developmental Services Guide for staff, children and families using the Brazelton Touchpoints Approach and reflective practice.

The IECMH Consultant provides indirect support to children and families by collaborating with the caregiving adults and providers in the system of care surrounding the child/family. While the consultant utilizes clinical skills, knowledge, and perspectives, they do not provide diagnosis or treatment to any individuals or groups.

Essential Responsibilities:

1. Provide IECMH consultation to families, educators, and program staff at multiple center-based early education sites in Franklin, Hampshire and Western Hampden Counties, as assigned.
2. Provide consultation grounded in strong understandings of child-caregiver relationships and attachment, typical and atypical child development, best practices in infant/early childhood mental health consultation, and the Brazelton Touchpoints approach.
3. Work collaboratively and effectively with staff, parents, families, community providers, and multidisciplinary teams.
4. Support the implementation of HSELP’s Comprehensive Support Guide and case management system by scaffolding and participating in processes and procedures outlined in the Guide.  
5. Engage in consultative activities including: consultation meetings, classroom and child observations, strategizing and planning supports, parent education, staff training, social-emotional screening review and follow-up, referrals, service coordination, participation in case management, and writing Individualized Support Plans.
6. Complete timely and accurate documentation of service delivery—including consultation, observation, referrals, and follow up—utilizing HSELP electronic record keeping systems.
7. Coordinate with program staff to complete documentation for 1:1 funding for children needing additional support.
8. Must be or become knowledgeable and remain current regarding Head Start Performance Standards, Department of Early Education and Care Regulations, and all other relevant program administrative requirements.
9. Must adhere to agency confidentiality policies and standard of conduct policies.
10. Must be able to travel to multiple sites in Franklin, Hampshire and Western Hampden Counties as assigned.
11. Comply with agency and funders’ paperwork requirements and procedures. 
12. Attend regularly scheduled supervision meetings, team meetings, mandatory agency trainings, and participate in professional development activities. 
13. Performs related work as required.

This does not cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may be adjusted to meet the operational needs of the agency.

Requirements

Essential Qualifications/Skills:

We invite individuals with lived experience who are part of communities that have been historically denied a full opportunity in aspects of economic, social, and civic life to apply. These communities include, but are not limited to, BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S, persons with disabilities, and persons adversely impacted by multigenerational poverty or other inequality.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following competencies

• Reflective self-awareness and ability to prompt and promote reflective practice in others
• Judgment related to consultation practices and interpersonal relationships
• Oral and written communication
• Cultural humility and sensitivity to the needs of families with lower incomes
• Able to work both collaboratively and independently 
• Flexible and able to effectively adapt to diverse learning styles
• Bilingual abilities strongly preferred

Key knowledge and experiences

• Early child development and relational health
• Family/parent support, child-care