The Behavioral Health Specialist provides Mental Health services; does not have supervisory responsibility, collaborates with community mental health agencies to serve clients, plans or implements mental health intervention, observes in classroom, provides staff support in behavior management, and provides mental health education, training and consultation to staff and parents.

About The Children's Home Society of NJ:

The Children's Home Society of NJ is a leading non-profit organization dedicated to saving children's lives and building healthy families. Since 1894, we have been providing a wide range of services across New Jersey focused on protecting abused, neglected, and at-risk infants and children, strengthening families, and enhancing the quality of life for children and families in the community. We value compassion, integrity, and a commitment to making a lasting positive impact.

The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey (CHSofNJ) Head Start/Early Head Start (HS/EHS) programs offer both center-based and home-based services that include high quality early childhood education and comprehensive services to children ages 3-5 (Head Start) and infants and toddlers ages 0-3 (Early Head Start) in Trenton, New Jersey. All services, including daily nutritious meals and comprehensive support services are provided at no cost to families.

As with all CHSofNJ programs, HS/EHS views children, families, and services through a trauma-informed lens. Our staff are trained to understand and serve children who have experienced Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), which can impact behavior, health, development, cognition, and happiness. Our team also recognizes that trauma exists in the lives of parents, guardians, and other family members. Therefore, we approach all interactions with respect and care to ensure comfortability and build a trusting partnership with each family we serve.

Location: 635 South Clinton Avenue, Trenton, New Jersey 08611

Hours: 35 Hours per Week

Annual Salary: $42,230 

Benefits:

Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexibility Spending Account, Life and LTD Insurances, 403(b) plans

PTO: Vacation, Sick, Personal, Wellness, and Holidays

Essential Job Responsibilities and Performance Indicators:

· This position supports the Mental Health Manager in:

• Planning and coordinating the Mental Health Services program that includes, but is not limited to, implementation and maintenance of a monitoring/documentation system to accurately report services provided, ensuring accurate records, follow-through and report keeping of the children served.
• Plan and monitor in-person/virtual implementation of the Second step curriculum.
• Train Teaching staff on second step curriculum annually.
• Use the Teaching Pyramid Observation Tool (TPOT) for Preschool Classrooms to monitor and reinforce high-quality practices that support children’s social-emotional development and behavior.
• Monitor and provide ongoing support to teaching staff in administering ASQ SE screening tool and ensure behavioral screenings are completed within 45 days.
• Monitor screening reports on CP and ensure internal Referral form is completed by program staff regarding children with identified concerns, and appropriate services and support is in place.
• Provide regular updates and monthly report to ECE manager on referrals.
• Implementing the Mental Health Service Area Plan, Head Start Policies and Procedures and The Head Start Performance Standards related to the delivery of Mental Health Services.
• Coordinating mental health services for children and families by assisting with facilitating referrals to community resources and following up on referrals made in collaboration with Mental Health agencies within the local community and other Head Start content Managers.
• Providing on-going mental health consultations with families, staff and children via home visits, classroom visits, virtual visits and observations following the mental health referral process.
• Participating in in-person/virtual case management team meetings, reviewing and tracking all mental health screenings and concerns and referrals for mental health services.
• Developing a cooperative relationship with other staff members to ensure awareness and responsiveness to the Mental Health Service Area Plan. This includes, but is not limited to service that affects staff wellness, parents and children referred by teaching staff.
• Working with Early Childhood Education Managers and Specialists to develop, plan and monitor special curriculum and daily activities.
• Be available for planning meetings with Center Directors as needed to plan and coordinate activities.
• Providing in-person/virtual observations and documentation of behavior or mental health needs of children and work with teachers to develop strategies to support children and families.
• Providing in-person/virtual training to staff and parents on topics related to Mental Health and provide technical assistance to teaching staff regarding behavioral issues, methods of identifying behavioral concerns and methods of appropriate behavior management techniques to encourage a positive learning experience for the children using the curriculum and behavior management plan manual.
• Designing, producing and distributing a quarterly Mental Health newsletter to staff and parents.
• Working cooperatively as a part of a team and attends in-person/virtual team meetings, trainings and conferences as needed.

Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or a related degree, MSW preferred

Experience Requirement: Minimum of three (3) to five (5) years of experience working with children 0 – 5 years old. Experience using the ChildPlus data based software system or equivalent a plus.

Qualifications:

• Work experience with multicultural populations.
• Ability to write reports and correspondence, and read and interpret documents
• Intermediate level knowledge of various software programs such as MS Word, Excel, Power-Point, ChildPlus software or equivalent a plus
• Intermediate level knowledge of various virtual meeting platforms such as ZOOM, Skype, Microsoft Team, Google Meets or equivalent a plus
• Ability to effectively engage and communicate with community members and groups, managers, regulatory agencies, and families individually, in group settings and virtually.
• Ability to organize and manage time effectively
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies Gold
• Ability to talk at community meetings to represent, lead, advocate, educate and/or negotiate on behalf of Head Start programs.