ECMH Mental Health Consultant (Bilingual - Spanish) (3434)

## Description

# Purpose

To provide expanded support for early education and child care providers, public preschool teachers and collateral work with parents in Hampden County to help meet the social and emotional needs of young children, to promote positive behaviors in young children and to decrease the number of children being suspended and/or expelled from preschool. This position requires a high degree of fluency in Spanish (both written and oral).

### Essential Functions

• Outreach and onsite consultation to early education and care, family child care providers, and public preschool programs to assist them in meeting the social and emotional needs of children and families, using research-based practices. Includes child observation and assessment, consultation with program staff and parents, and co-creating behavioral success plans
• May also include facilitating referrals for public school evaluation, early intervention, behavioral or mental health services, and/or other community resources; writing observation and consultation summaries; coordinating with other service providers as appropriate, and providing professional development to early educators
• Provide confidential individual family visits (home, virtual or community location) or consultation with English- and Spanish-speaking families to provide positive behavior support for their child/ren and to promote family stability. Assist parents in accessing other services as appropriate.
• Provide crisis intervention support as needed in licensed early education and care settings
• Work collaboratively with other service providers to improve the accessibility and coordination of community services for young children and families
• Collect data for program evaluation, complete and report on required tools in a timely fashion
• Provide professional development for early educators to support their knowledge and integration of new skills and knowledge into their practice with children
• Serve as a parenting resource specialist by providing information and guidance to parents and professionals who work with families with young children on an as needed basis
• Keep current with information and provide referrals for services needed by families with young children and eligibility criteria; refer parents in person and by telephone to needed services
• Provide outreach to isolated and hard-to-reach/at-risk families and early education and care settings
• Participate and assist in data collection as required by funding sources, EEC, CES and/or other

### Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Represent Collaborative Educational Services Early Childhood Department to the public
• Help advocate for accessible high quality services for families and children served
• Attend and participate in local, regional, and statewide meetings as required
• Perform other duties as assigned by direct supervisor and/or the Early Childhood Department Director

## Qualifications
# Minimum Qualifications

• Masters level degree in a field of study related to Early Childhood Mental Health, Early Childhood Development and/or Education
• Fluency (oral and written) in Spanish language
• Experience working with young children and families
• Able to work independently as well as in a collaborative manner
• Must be dependable
• Strong problem solving and communication skills
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize work effectively
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude and professional demeanor
• Use of a strengths-based approach

Preferred Qualifications

• Current license or certification LICSW with experience working with young children
• Knowledge of adult learners and experience working with/providing workshops for adults

### Physical Demands

• Valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle
• Must be able to drive long distances
• Ability to lift 30lbs
• Requires physical condition and mental stamina to endure job stress in the performance of duties

### Working Conditions

• All CES staff are expected to adopt and practice the values of diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice described in the agency’s strategic plan
• This is a hybrid position as several tasks, especially administrative tasks, may be performed remotely
• Requires working a flexible schedule to include scheduled evening meetings and other professional development events
• Must be flexible and able to plan, coordinate, and schedule work in collaboration with parents and early education and care providers
• Ability to work with diverse populations

### Terms of Employment

• Schedule: 30 - 35 hrs/week as determined grant funding
• Compensation: $28-$31 per hour. Benefits available as outlined in the CES Handbook

CES is an equal opportunity employer and is particularly interested in candidates from a diverse range of cultural, ethnic, and racial backgrounds. We are especially interested in candidates whose backgrounds are well-suited to understanding and addressing the needs of the diverse student population we serve.