Early Childhood Mental Health Associate

_ FULL TIME POSITION - TO APPLY: SUBMIT COVER LETTER AND RESUME &/OR CV._

JOB DESCRIPTION

Under the general direction of the Early Childhood Wellness and Mental Health Coach (ECW&MHC) and/or the VP of Education, the ECW&MH Associate is responsible for:

• Providing and supporting the provision of early childhood mental health consultation within all California Children’s Academy campuses under the direction of the ECW&MHC.
• Supporting the early intervention program and building resiliency in the campuses, offering services to address the unique developmental, behavioral, and cultural needs of young children by providing support to classroom teachers, supervisors, and parents/guardians.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Within a team environment, this position will perform the following responsibilities:

General Classroom Observations, Consultation, & Coaching

• Provide child development information related to social-emotional development and mental health.
• Provide guidance and model developmentally appropriate activities for children and effective ways to work with and support young children.
• Provide written and oral observations and strengths-based feedback to Early Education staff and families.
• Meet with classroom teams to review classroom observations and develop and implement action plans as needed.

Individualized Child and Family Centered Observations and Consultation

• Conduct observations and assessments of individual children assigned or referred for consultation. Maintain all required documentation in a timely, accurate, and professional manner.
• Meet with families to consult on child and family needs and create or follow up on plans to support these needs.
• Provide child and family referral and follow-up to community services.

Staff Training

• Support, coordinate, and provide staff training related to Trauma Informed Care, Social-Emotional, and mental health issues as needed.
• Provide trauma-informed training to teaching staff, as needed or with the direction of the Executive Director.

SECONDARY DUTIES

This position will perform the following duties and responsibilities:

Participate in Multidisciplinary Team Meetings and Reflective Supervision with Family and Community Liaison, Education Team, SW Intern Supervisor, and SW Interns.

• Contribute to federal, state, and local reporting requirements.
• Comply with CA Mandated Child Abuse Reporting Laws.
• Complete all related documentation within contract and Agency deadlines.
• Maintain proper confidentiality procedures when handling records and information.
• Develop and maintain well-defined lines of communication and professional boundaries.
• Prepare oral and written reports as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS -These specifications are general guidelines based on the minimum experience normally considered essential. to the satisfactory performance of this job. Individual abilities may result in some deviation from these guidelines. To perform effectively in this position, the incumbent must have:

Education:

• A bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, child development, or a related field is required. A master’s degree is preferred.
• Annually maintain continuing professional development and education for at least 18 hours per program year in topics such as, but not limited to: infant-family and early childhood mental health; implicit bias and equity; trauma-informed practice; early childhood development, and consultation.

Professional Certifications:

• Working towards a license or being license-eligible in the State of CA (AMFT, LMFT, ACSW, LCSW.
• Maintain professional continuing education requirements.

Experience:

• Experience with coaching childcare providers and caregivers on age and developmentally appropriate child development practices.
• Minimum of 2 years' experience, working with children from birth to five and their families in any capacity (teaching, school, center, day care, etc.).
• Experience with trauma-informed care, mental health, and developmental issues with children 0-5 years.
• Experience with play-based curriculum, teaching methods, group management, and behavior intervention strategies.
• Experience with Teaching Pyramid Strategies and methodology.
• Experience with the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and Professional Standards.

Other Skills and Requirements:

• Bilingual Skills: English/Spanish is required. Solid bilingual skills include effective oral communication skills, the ability to read and comprehend simple instructions and short correspondence, and the ability to write simple correspondence.
• Keep up to date with child development, trauma-informed care, and mental health literature, research, and trends in the business and politics of early care and education.
• Computer skills, including web browsing, e-mail, data entry, and word processing. Proficiency in Windows-based programs, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Must have the ability to follow oral and written directions.
• Experience with documentation software or systems to maintain meticulous case notes.
• Maintain First Aid & CPR certification.
• Position requires travel throughout the day to various CCA sites, meetings, trainings, etc. Business travel-related driving required.
• Must possess a vehicle, have current auto insurance, a current California Driver's License, and be part of the Motor Pull Notice (MPN) Program through DMV.
• Able to work full time, typically M-F, with the ability to at times work a non-traditional work schedule, including early mornings, late evenings, overtime, and/or weekends.
• This position will share office space and equipment with ECW&MHC.

Professional Ethics:

• Must conduct oneself with integrity, respect, tact, confidentiality, and dignity.
• Must have the ability to establish and maintain cooperative, diplomatic working relationships with co-workers, families, and the community to work as part of a team.

Health/Safety Clearances require:

• Proof of recent tuberculosis test and must submit updated testing/results as per agency internal requirements.
• Pre-employment health screening report upon hiring and as per agency internal requirements.
• Fingerprint clearance on DOJ, FBI, and CA through Community Care Licensing.
• Proof of adult mandatory vaccinations: influenza (annual requirement) and/or waiver, Tdap (booster every 10 years) &/or proof of immunity provided by physician, AND measles vaccination and/or proof of immunity provided by physician.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,440.00 - $55,120.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Coaching/Mental Health: 2 years (Required)

Language:

• Spanish (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Los Angeles, CA 90041 (Required)

Work Location: In person