Location: Mount Gilead,OH, USA
DescriptionBACKGROUND CHECKS: Ohio Heartland Community Action Commission is a drug-free employer. Drug testing of both current staff and new hires will be conducted. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a Driver's Record Check, Criminal Background Check, Drug Test, and Employment References.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Complete the Mental Health Observation Tool in center-based classrooms twice per program year and complete staff follow up and training if necessary. Assist in the updating annually the Mental Health Partnership agreements, referral procedures, and ongoing Mental Health Services with the Intervention Manager & Intervention Specialist. Assist in training for staff individually and in group settings to deal with children that exhibit challenging behaviors. Educate and assist the training of staff on Trauma and the effects of Trauma on a child's behavior. Assist in the organization of and participate in Head Start Advisory committees at least twice yearly and recruit community representatives. Participate in joint training and resource sharing with collaborative agencies and schools. Obtain parental/guardian consent, in writing, for each procedure necessary to complete the referral and evaluation of children, and inform parents of their rights and responsibilities. Communicate on a regular basis with staff and families as to procedure and process of each referral, in conjunction with the Intervention Manager and Intervention Specialist. Maintain all child and family records in an orderly and confidential manner. Assist in planning mental health activities for clients and staff. Observe children in centers in order to help plan with teachers and parent activities which may assist with the child's behavior. Provide special help for children with atypical behavior using local resources when possible. Work with parents and guardians of children with atypical behavior to ensure their active involvement in planning and implementing the individual mental health needs of their children. Refer families for diagnostic examination to confirm that behavior problems do not have a physical basis. Ensure staff complete monthly mental health activities. Submit monthly Mental Health Manager activity reports, annual PIR data, and any other requested reports. Document and update data in the Child Plus tracking system weekly. Document all services rendered to staff, children, and families on an ongoing basis. Attend Policy Council meetings when the schedule allows. Adhere to OHCAC Personnel Policies and Procedures and all other approved policies of this agency. Must be willing to travel within Crawford, Marion, Morrow, and Richland Counties. Work well as a team member in many collaborative efforts and partnerships. Establish and maintain cooperative agreements between area agencies, school districts, and the Head Start program in cooperation and with the approval of your supervisor. Participate in (when required) IEP and IFSP meetings with a multi-disciplinary team including parents and guardians. Assist in developing an individualized Positive Guidance plan utilizing the E-DECA program and Conscious Discipline. Participate in III (Individual Intensive Intervention) meetings. Ensure that all avenues are exhausted before requesting Head Start funds for services in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards. Maintain compliance with Ohio Department of Youth & Children preschool rules and regulations. Provide data necessary to meet compliance with the head Start Performance Standards (case notes, behavior observations, etc.).NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The use of personal vehicle for making required home visits, transporting of food, supplies and errands may be required, when requested. Consult with staff regularly to share information necessary to provide appropriate Head Start services to children and families. Read and study updates from the fields of education, social services, health/mental health, disabilities, and all other areas pertaining to Head Start. Be prepared to make decisions as needed daily which may require good common sense, knowledge, experience, and fairness. Perform any duty as assigned in order to meet or stay in compliance with state and federal regulations. Actively promote the Head Start program and recruit families year-round. Assist in the classroom with screening or other needed areas as required by director, supervisor, or manager. Transfer of site assignment when necessary for the operation of the program when management finds it appropriate. Must be willing to travel within Crawford, Marion, Morrow and Richland Counties. State and federal criminal checks are to be conducted as required by funding source and OHCAC.ACCOUNTABILITY: The Mental Health Manager is accountable to the Child Health and Education Director for the essential functions described above. Video and audio recordings will be made during Head Start activities and observations and will be used for public relations, professional development, training, and/or possible disciplinary action. The Mental Health Manager will review all Center Classroom Videos once a month, completing a report and sharing it with Education Supervisors, Education Mentors/Coaches, Child Health & Education Director, and the Head Start Director. Drug and alcohol testing is to be conducted as required by OHCAC and funding source.Requirements BA/BS in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or a similar field and a MA/MS in Social Work, Education, or Counseling with related experience. Licensure or Certification preferred or within 90 Days of hire, LSW Licensure must be received. Successful experience in a Head Start Program, or a similar program, preferred. Strong background in mental health working with children and families. Knowledge of early childhood development and developmentally appropriate practices. Must possess technical skills to be able to use a variety of computer software, produce correspondence, forms and reports preferred. Must possess good oral and written communication skills. Must be able to work independently with initiative, creativity, accuracy, without constant supervision, and confidentiality. Must be flexible, able to work with a diverse population, and have good organizational skills. Must have a valid Ohio Driver's License or be able to obtain one before the first day of employment, carry auto insurance, and have ready access to a drivable vehicle. Must be willing to travel within all four counties and use personal car for work-related errands including transport of food. Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals preferred. Ability to compute rates, ratios, and/or percentage preferred. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk; hear; and smell. The employee is frequently required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Must be able to move quickly to retrieve a running child. The employee is occasionally required to climb or to balance. The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds on a daily basis. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus. Must be able to clearly see the entire classroom. Must pass the requirements of the insurance company in regards to age (18) and driving record. Must show courtesy and respect to staff and customers at all times.Ohio Heartland Community Action Commission has in effect a clean air/smoking/tobacco use policy which prohibits smoking or use of tobacco products in all offices and on or in any agency owned or agency occupied properties or vehicles. This policy applies to ALL Ohio Heartland Community Action Commission staff, regardless of program.