Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant

Job Description

Work Schedule:                      Part time, Hourly – 30 hours per week

Reports To:                             Early Childhood Mental Health Supervisor

Exemption Status:                 Non-Exempt

Annual Range:                        $30/hour - $35/hour

Service Area: San Miguel, Ouray, Montrose, Delta

Position Summary

Bright Futures is seeing an Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant (ECMHC) to provide early childhood mental health consultation services to childcare programs, children under 6 years of age and community partners in San Miguel, Ouray, Montrose, Delta and San Juan counties approximately 30 hours/week. The ECMH Program seeks to increase the capacity of early care and learning programs to create nurturing environments that foster mental wellness among children, families and staff and focus on reduction of expulsions from childcare. Critical ECMHC activities also include young child parent education, and consultation with other early childhood systems such as: Early Intervention, home visiting and child welfare teams, and community training on topics relevant to social emotional development and well-being of young children.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

·      Provide consultation and supplementary services in early care & learning centers and family childcare homes for children birth to 6

·      Travel throughout San Miguel, Ouray, Montrose and Delta counties to engage providers and families in consultation services,

·      Conduct required assessments related to early childhood mental health

·      Maintain personnel activity report (PAR), mileage report and other documentation related to employment

·      Collect and maintain data as required through Statement of Work with Department of Early Childhood (CDEC)

·      Enter all data related to required assessments in the state data system in a timely manner

·      Conduct community training for providers and partners in relevant subject areas

·      Participate in Community of Practice and collaborative technical assistance calls facilitated by the ECMH Unit at the CDEC

·      Attend required CDEC training and meetings virtually or in-person (as required)

·      Receive monthly individual and group reflective supervision

·      Participate in local Early Childhood Council meetings and staff meetings

Minimum Qualifications:

ECMH consultants come from varied backgrounds in the early childhood and mental health fields. The ECMHC Qualified Personnel List details programs and degrees that meet program qualifications.

Early Childhood Mental Health (ECMH) consultants must meet the following criteria:

·      Hold a master’s degree in a license-eligible mental health field such as social work, psychology or related field with a focus or experience in early childhood development. Consultants must have, at a minimum, expertise in the following areas: adult and child mental health theory, practice, and services; early childhood, child development, and family systems; circumstances that affect children’s behavior and mental health; developmental science and milestones; consultative model of practice; and available services to children and families to alleviate family stress.

·      Be endorsed, working towards endorsement or have a plan in place to begin the process to achieve the Endorsement for Culturally-Sensitive, Relationship Focused Practice Promoting Infant Mental Health® and/or Early Childhood Mental Health®, which is issued through the Colorado Association for Infant Mental Health (CoAIMH) or other Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health state association.

·      Have received the following training/certifications or have a plan in place for when and how these training/certifications will be completed:

·      Climate of Healthy Interactions for Learning & Development (CHILD) Assessment, including the CHILD Infant/Toddler (I/T) Addendum Training,

·      Devereux Early Childhood Assessment-Clinical (DECA-C) Assessment,

·      DC: 0-5 Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood Training, and

·      Mandated Reporter Training

·      Be receiving or have a plan in place to receive individual or group reflective supervision/consultation from a qualified reflective supervisor, with at least one 60-minute session per month.

·      Agree to sign an agreement to protect privacy and provide for the security of Protected Health Information (PHI) in compliance with HIPAA and other applicable laws.

·      Ability to travel through the region and for required training and professional development

·      Strong ability to gather and input data

Qualifications and Requirements:

·      Empathy, with firm boundaries

·      Strong data intake and input skills

·      Case management skills

·      Time management skills

·      Knowledge of resources, government programs and family systems

·      Organization and attention to detail

·      Strong communication skills, both verbal and written

·      Ability to multi-task, problem solve and work in a team

·      Willingness to accept feedback and adapt accordingly

·      Flexibility and ability to adapt to changing circumstances

·      Excellent computer skills

·      Ability to work independently

·      Hold office hours at Bright Futures

·      Must have own transportation and current Colorado Driver’s License and Insurances

Position Overview & Qualifications

If you have questions about the position, or if you're interested in applying, please send a cover letter and resume to Kathleen at:
kathleen@brightfuturesforchildren.org