Behavioral Health & Disabilities Specialist

Position Summary:

Under direct supervision of the Behavioral Health/Disabilities Coordinator, assists in the planning, development and implementation of the Disabilities and Behavioral Health services for children birth to five years old for CYFS programs.  Offers training and technical support for staff and parents in the areas of disabilities services and behavioral support. Is knowledgeable about laws pertaining to persons with disabilities (IDEA). Acts as a resource to families and staff by supporting the development of each child’s social, emotional, cognitive, language, and physical skills through guidance, observation, modeling and training.  Ensures that all children requiring special education services or behavioral challenges are referred to the Local Education Agencies or Behavioral Services. 

Required Education and Experience:

• Level 1:
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development, or a closely related field.
• Level 2:
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development, or a closely related field.
  • Plus two years of experience in teaching/management in an early childhood program.
• Level 3:
  • Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Special Education, Psychology or a closely related field. Must be certified in a specific area related to data analysis and preparation of reports, presentations to board and overseeing Mental Health Consultants community partners.
  • Plus four years of experience in teaching/management in an early childhood program or working with children with disabilities.

 Preferred Education and Experience:

• Experience working with children with a diversity of special needs preferred.
• Teaching experience with children 0-5 years of age.
• Bilingual/biliterate preferred.

License & Certifications:

• Must have a valid California Driver’s License.

Essential Functions:

• Disabilities:
  • Assists in ensuring that staff and parents understand the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and other laws pertaining to persons with disabilities and their rights. Assists in providing pre-service and necessary trainings on the IDEA laws and Head Start Performance Standards to program.  
  • Assists in providing training and support for staff on screening, evaluation and referrals of children in need of further assessment to the appropriate services.  
  • Establish and maintain relationships and ensures ongoing collaborations and partnerships. Assists the local program staff to act as liaisons between School Districts, SELPAs and Part C Providers.
  • Assists in collaborating with Part C Providers, Local Education Agencies, parents and staff to transition children with disabilities into the most appropriate placement.
  • Attends Individual Education Plan (IEP)/Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) meetings as needed. Support families in advocating for disabilities services needed for their child’s success.
  • Ensures appropriate record keeping and program monitoring for IEP/IFSP goal implementation. Assists in inputting all data relevant to children with disabilities.
  • Conducts ongoing observations/ visits to centers/ provider homes/ home base to support staff with children with special education referral and accommodations.
• Behavior/Mental Health:
  • Conducts visits to centers and provider homes to offer support and guidance techniques and offers training when appropriate to staff and childcare providers. 
  • Meets with parents and teachers to discuss individual children’s behavior, as needed.  Develop Positive Behavior Support Plans (PBSP).
  • Trains and supports staff on the implementation of the behavior health PBSP.
  • Has knowledge about resources in the community that will work in partnership with the family and the program to plan for children with behavioral concerns.
  • Work with Mental Health Consultants in developing support systems within center and provide follow up with systems.  Maintain relationships with Mental Health Consultants.
  • Provides ongoing training and modeling of best practice behavioral health (such as Social Emotional literacy, Teaching Pyramid, Conscious Discipline, Second Step.)  
  • Ensures that staff and providers understand the referral process for mental health services.
  • Develops a sound understanding of the requirements of the Head Start Performance Standards and early childhood education.
• Blended Responsibilities and Duties: 
  • Attends staff meetings, community meetings and trainings as appropriate.
  • Keeps informed of new and appropriate behavior practices for young children.  Attends trainings, when appropriate, to keep current regarding appropriate practices.
  • Ensures confidentiality is maintained in accordance with the CAPSLO Policies and Procedures and California requirements.
  • Works with Center Supervisors, Teachers and Area Managers to ensure proper documentation is maintained.
  • Conducts monitoring through a modality of sources in person and electronic. Provides feedback for insurance of compliance with Policies and Procedures. 
  • Participates as a member of the Case Review team to ensure ongoing communication, case management, referral and follow-up process for identified children and families. 
  • Works with all staff to provide an environment that is inclusive for all children and families.

Other Duties:

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.
• Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 
• Level III Specialist will assist Behavioral Health/Disabilities Manager with data management and development of training for both Behavioral Health and Disabilities support. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge:

• Must possess knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices for infants, toddlers and preschoolers.

Skills:

• Be proficient in Microsoft office suite and Google drive.
• Must have excellent written and oral communication skills.

Abilities:

• Must demonstrate the ability to prioritize and manage time effectively.
• Must be able to relate well to all people of the community regardless of color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, age marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, disability or socio-economic level.
• Must be emotionally mature, stable, tactful and be able to provide professional leadership.
• Must be self-motivated and able to work with a minimum of supervision.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality.
• Must understand, uphold, and continue working toward accomplishing the mission, strategic goals and performance measures of the agency.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• Behavioral Health/Disabilities Specialists Level I, II and III have no direct supervisory responsibilities.
• Behavioral Health/Disabilities Specialists Level III serve as Leads with added responsibilities in the areas of data management and Mental Health.

Work Environment:

• This job operates in a professional office and/or classroom environment.  Additionally, this role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers and phones.
• Requires working indoors in a temperature-controlled environment with some exposure to copier and printer chemicals/fumes.

Physical Demands:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Physical

• Position requires intermittent sitting, standing, walking, twisting and bending.  
• Must be able to lift 40 pounds.  
• Simple grasping and hand manipulation required, as well as reaching above and below the shoulder level.  

Travel: 

• Must be available for travel to other counties, to conferences, meetings, workshops, etc. when necessary.
• Must have dependable, insured transportation and valid California Driver’s License (mileage to be reimbursed) and acceptable driving record. A DMV printout and proof of insurance will be required.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

• Must be at least 18 years of age by date of hire. 
• Must submit proof of current vaccination status for measles, pertussis, and influenza (or a current, signed influenza declination form) in compliance with SB 792.
• Must comply with the CAPSLO COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, either being fully vaccinated or sign a COVID-19 vaccination declination form.
• Must complete a health screening physical completed within 30 days prior to employment and a current TB skin test/Chest X-Ray. 
• Employment is contingent upon meeting all job requirements and background requirements: criminal history check (Inclusive of DOJ, FBI and Child Abuse), acknowledgement of child abuse reporting responsibility, criminal record statement (Form LIC508), etc. A criminal history clearance is required prior to employment. 
• Upon hire agency staff will check the Megan’s Law (or the current sexual predator website) to ensure each staff being hired is clear for employment. Program administrative staff will check the website annually to ensure all program staff are cleared to work. 
• Must meet the Head Start Performance Standards and State requirements. 
• Employment in Head Start, Early Head Start and Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Programs is contingent upon approval of the Policy Council.

Reasonable Accommodations:

I have read and understand the Essential Functions of this position, including the Responsibilities and Duties. I also acknowledge that the Responsibilities and Duties for this position may change in the future with or without prior notice. 

I further understand that I can request a reasonable accommodation, should one be necessary for me to carry out the Essential Functions of this position. I can perform these with or without reasonable accommodation.