Mental Health Consultant (LCSW/LPC) - Head Start

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Department

Job Summary

Under close supervision, the Mental Health Consultant provides early childhood mental health consultation to Head Start classrooms and families. Mental Health Consultant provide trauma-informed, social and emotional strategies and recommendations in collaboration with Head Start staff, including teachers, education supervisors, disabilities providers, and administration to improve the mental health climate of a classroom and or program and to increase social emotional development. Primary areas of consultation include child focused, classroom focused, and program focused consultation. Will provide parent education in group settings and individually. Consultants will provide teacher education through presentations and meetings, may also coach teachers, staff, and parents regarding improving relationships and classroom environments using reflective supervision as appropriate. Will focus on building relationships with agency staff to develop a plan for services and will facilitate referral process. Support Head Start agency staff in development and implementation of positive behavior support plans when needed. Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant will carry a consultation case load of referred children and classrooms throughout Denver Metro area.

* Bilingual strongly preferred*

Essential Functions:

• Builds professional relationships focused on mutuality and collaboration with school administrators, service coordinators, family service workers, teachers and caregivers. (10%)
• Provides consultation services in a variety of settings, requiring frequent transportation and flexible time management. (10%)
• Provides services that are appropriate to the age and development level of child. (10%)
• Attends collaboration meetings to coordinate services with multidisciplinary team for identified children or classrooms requesting consultation. (5%)
• Facilitates referrals for consultation in collaboration with agency staff. (5%)
• Completes screening, and observation; develops goals for assigned cases. (5%)
• Provides recommendations for behavioral and social/emotional strategies to classrooms and caregivers. (5%)
• Assesses need for and facilitates referrals to community mental health and health resources. (5%)
• Complies with applicable laws and educates other staff as to legal issues related to social work practice. (5%)
• Attends weekly reflective supervision meetings with supervisor. (5%)
• Attends regular group consultation and team meetings. (5%)
• Case management supports provided as needed for patients with complex needs. (5%)
• Responds to patient and referral needs in a timely professional manner. (5%)
• Documents consultation activities with referral. (5%)
• Care coordination with medical staff, early intervention disabilities providers, mental health providers, and agency staff. (5%)
• Completes monthly and quarterly outcome tracking forms. (5%)
• Provides education regarding relevant topics to caregivers and Head Start staff. (5%)

Education:

• 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. Required

Work Experience:

• 1-3 years Experience 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. Required

Licenses:

• LSW-Licensed Social Worker - LSW State Licensing Board Required or
• LPCC-Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate - LPC State Licensing Board Required and
• BLS-Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) - AHA - American Heart Association or American Red Cross Required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Must have excellent interpersonal skills and ability to tolerate ambiguity.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Advanced knowledge of early childhood mental health, including typical child development and parallel process.
• Ability to provide individual, child and family psychotherapy.
• Knowledge of social emotional theories in education such as Pyramid and Conscious Discipline.
• Experience with trauma-informed care and ability to apply to a large system/community.
• Familiarity with systems interventions and assessment.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention and ability to respond to trauma in both children and adults.
• Knowledge of patient populations' cultural, religious, ethnic, and social systems in interactions, care planning, and education. Familiarity with community resources available to children and families.
• Ability to maintain firm boundaries and confidentiality - to manage professional relationship including termination.
• Ability to respond to feedback and incorporate into practice.
• Comfort in providing group training and working collaboratively with others.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office

Shift

Work Type

Salary

Benefits

• Outstanding benefits including up to 27 paid days off per year, immediate retirement plan employer contribution up to 9.5%, and generous medical plans

• Free RTD EcoPass (public transportation)

• On-site employee fitness center and wellness classes

• Childcare discount programs & exclusive perks on large brands, travel, and more

• Tuition reimbursement & assistance

• Education & development opportunities including career pathways and coaching

• Professional clinical advancement program & shared governance

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer+ free student loan coaching and assistance navigating the PSLF program

• National Health Service Corps (NHCS) and Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) eligible employer

Our Values

• Respect

• Belonging

• Accountability

• Transparency

All job applicants for safety-sensitive positions must pass a pre-employment drug test, once a conditional offer of employment has been made.

Denver Health is an integrated, high-quality academic health care system considered a model for the nation that includes a Level I Trauma Center, a 555-bed acute care medical center, Denver's 911 emergency medical response system, 10 family health centers, 19 school-based health centers, Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety, a Public Health Institute, an HMO and The Denver Health Foundation.

As Colorado's primary, and essential, safety-net institution, Denver Health is a mission-driven organization that has provided billions in uncompensated care for the uninsured. Denver Health is viewed as an Anchor Institution for the community, focusing on hiring and purchasing locally as applicable, serving as a pillar for community needs, and caring for more than 185,000 individuals and 67,000 children a year.

Located near downtown Denver, Denver Health is just minutes away from many of the cultural and recreational activities Denver has to offer.

Denver Health is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We value the unique ideas, talents and contributions reflective of the needs of our community.

Applicants will be considered until the position is filled.