Careers

Disabilities/Mental Health Coordinator

Performs a variety of duties to implement and coordinate Services for Children with Disabilities and Child Mental Health Service

Job Description:

Performs a variety of duties to implement and coordinate Services for Children with Disabilities (1308), and Child Mental Health Services (1304.24).  Incumbent will also be responsible for the planning and administration of the Head Start Child Health and Development Services(1304.20) and the Performance Standards and other component related-activities.

Duites:

Essential Duties:

Mandatory reporter of all suspected incidents of child abuse and neglect.

In the event of a disaster, Head Start employees are required to provide assistance in accordance with the tribe’s Emergency Operations Plan or their level of training (CPR and/or First Aid).

All San Felipe Pueblo Head Start applicants must submit mandatory criminal background check information to the Human Resources Director before employment with the program or following any conviction occurring after commencement of employment.

Must pass an annual physical and TB screening

May be assigned to bus monitoring duties.

Must follow a Drug-Free Work Place Policy and follow the intent of the Drug-Free Work Place Act.

Disabilities Services Responsibilities:

Develops the Disabilities Service Area Work Plans and coordinates services.

Within the 45 days of school, coordinate disabilities and mental health screening for all enrolled Head Start children in order to identify any special needs the children may present and do follow-ups.

Assists in the planning and coordination of multi-agency Child Find efforts.

Compiles and analyzes data on the effectiveness of disabilities and mental health services, reviews, revises and updates Disabilities and Mental Health component work plans annually.

Coordinates special needs/disabilities related trainings for Head Start parents and staff; informs Head Start staff of relevant federal and state special education laws and local special education policies and changes in policies and requirements.

Coordinates and collaborates with local resources and outside agencies to provide effective and efficient services to children and families.

Works and collaborate with parents, service providers, and the LEA to establish dates and times of IEP meetings.

• Informs parents, teaching staff, management team and service providers of IEP meeting dates and times and any changes to schedules or cancellations.
• Provides all IEP documentations necessary including all paperwork requiring parent signature.
• Takes notes to document the meeting; the Disabilities/Mental Health Coordinator must be present for all scheduled IEP meetings.
• Manages all IEP files for accuracy of content and parent signatures.

Assures that all special needs children have an updated IEP and reviews progress on IEP goals/objectives.

Meets with parents and Head Start teaching staff to discuss each child’s progress.

Monitors classrooms and therapy sessions to assure the IEP goals are being implemented into teaching routines; assists teaching staff in providing IEP focused instruction.

Works closely with service providers (therapist/consultants) to assure the delivery of quality services for children.

Follows rules and regulations as set forth by the Tribal Council, in conjunction with Tribal Personnel Policies and Procedures.

Prepares and reviews all Memorandum of Agreements and/or Partnership Agreements with local and other service providers to secure services for children with special needs.

Coordinates contracts to acquire services of specialists to screen incoming children in all developmental areas.

Assists in review of screening results and the establishment of criteria for referral.

Develops and implements a referral system for children requiring further professional evaluation, including securing parental consent, information gathering, completion of referral packet and tracking each referral.

Coordinates and plans smooth transition of children with special needs between early intervention (birth to three) and Head Start and from Head Start to Kindergarten (LEA services).

Monitors program facilities to ensure adults and children with special needs can access program activities; requests facilities modifications as needed.

Works with Tribal Finance Department to prepare service provider contracts in compliance with Finance directives and develop and implement IDEA Part C and Part B budgets.

Assures Mental Health Professional completes Form #9, #10 and Dial 4 Self Help Development form within 45 days of child’s entry into Head Start.

Works with Tribal Social Services, Health and Wellness Department’s Systems of Care to collaboratively schedule parent and staff trainings on mental health and wellness topics and positive child guidance techniques.

Maintains confidentiality of information shared between parent and program.

Works with the Director to secure the services of a Mental Health Professional.

Maintains a complete and accurate record of all enrolled special needs children.

Completes computer generated Program Information Report (PIR) for transmission to Head Start Bureau.

Assists in the recruitment and enrollment of children and in Child Find.

Provides input in the development and implementation of selection criteria to ensure that children with special needs receive appropriate consideration.

Prepares and submits monthly component reports to Director.

Participates in annual self-assessment as a Team Leader.

Makes home visits to maintain parental involvement for progress reporting and follow-up.

Actively pursues AA degree by taking courses at local college.

Participates in meetings, conferences to expand personal knowledge and understanding of early childhood, disabilities, mental health, HS Performance Standards and any changes/updates in component area.

Other duties as assigned.

This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties performed by this employee.  He or she will be required to follow any other instructions or to perform any other duties requested by his or her supervisor.

Qualifications:

To perform his job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The Disabilities/Mental Health Coordinator should possess a basic understanding of the scope of the Head Start effort and skills adequate to manage the component area and to serve children with disabilities, including coordination with other program areas and community agencies and to work with parents. 

Education: Associate degree(AA) or Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education  from a four-year college or university, or technical school; or two year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.  Experience in Special Education, disabilities and/or mental health areas preferable. 

Experience/Basic Knowledge: Must have good communication skills with staff and parents.  Good knowledge in computer skills.  Training/experience in the area of Disabilities and/or Mental Health preferable.  Ability to read and interpret documents.  Ability to comprehend and respond to common inquiries and write reports, correspondence and memos.  Ability to effectively present information before groups of parents or employees.  Ability to converse in both Keres and English languages

Required Licenses/Certifications: Prefer a valid driver’s license. Must have a food handlers certificate and must maintain a current CDA licensure.  Must have and maintain current CPR/First Aid.

Physical Requirements: Must have manual dexterity to enter and retrieve data from a computer. Ability to sit and stand for long periods. Bends and stoops regularly.  Must be able to lift 50 lbs

Preferences: San Felipe Preference and Veteran’s Preference.

Working Conditions:

Works in office. Sits for long periods of time and types.  Must be able to lift 50 lbs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  Noise level in the work environment is quiet to moderate.

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