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Job Description

JOB TITLE:Behavioral Health Specialist

PROGRAM/DEPT: Early Childhood Education Division

REPORTS TO:Disabilities Manager

CLASSIFICATION:Regular, Full-Time

FLSA: Exempt

Description:To oversee the Mental Health Services as articulated in Federal and State Standards in order to allow for holistic, integrated service delivery and to create environments that will promote success, growth and development of all children and families in the early childcare program.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities (others may be assigned):

• Teams with early childcare staff and families to identify and provide interventions for young children, birth to five, who may be at risk of suspension and or expulsion from a childcare or early education program.
• Provides home visits for the purpose of observation, screening, and action plan implementation support as needed.
• Acts as a resource regarding early childhood development with emphasis on emotional and behavioral health and the importance of relationship between the child and parent/guardian.
• Provides environmental assessments in the classroom, as well as in the home to support those identified children at risk.
• Provides coaching to Early Childhood staff in a manner that is culturally responsive to the child and family which would include establishing goals and strategies for children prior to a formal evaluation and also in conjunction with an IFSP or IEP.
• Completes assessments and individualized plans which involve the early childcare provider, child, and family in the provision of interventions.
• Collaborate with Disabilities Manager to facilitate Behavioral Health Response to Intervention (RTI) meetings and Behavioral Health Team meetings.
• Participates in training modules, regularly scheduled statewide meetings, and supervisory observations.
• Works collaboratively with community agencies.
• Provides required data and reports in accordance with established timelines.
• Continues to develop knowledge and understanding about the history, traditions, values, family systems, and artistic expression of groups served as well as uses appropriate methodological approaches, skills, and techniques that reflect an understanding of culture.
• Keeps abreast of all pertinent federal, state and clinic regulations, laws, and policies as they presently exist and as they change or are modified.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Director.

Minimum requirements:

• BA/BS degree in Psychology, Social Work, Education, Marriage and Family Therapy, Counseling or related human services field is required, MA degree is preferred.
• Extensive knowledge and demonstrated level of expertise in early childhood development, emotional and behavioral health, family systems, assessment, attachment/separation issues, substance abuse, domestic violence, and abuse and neglect.
• Three years minimum professional experience.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Know how to operate communication and computer systems as well as other office equipment.
• Must possess personal qualities necessary to relate to parents and staff.
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must have strong documentation skills.

Monitoring and Supervision:

• Monitor all behavior/mental health referrals.
• Arrange and facilitate monthly individual and group meetings of staff.
• Monitors, evaluates and insures training of classroom volunteers.
• Monitor the performance of all staff over which supervision is a responsibility.
• Recommend area of improvement to staff and promote training that reflects individual needs.

Physical Requirements:

• Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard.
• Ability to lift up to fifty (50) pounds.

Language Requirements:

• Ability to read, write and speak English.

HRA of New Britain, Inc. is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer, including Disabilities/Vets

When duties and responsibilities change, the job description will be reviewed and changed based upon changes to program or organizations priorities.