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Job Description
Position Title: Bilingual Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant
Departments: Early Learning Center at Kaune
Job Classification: Full-Time: 40 hours/week or Part-Time To Be Negotiated Later
FLSA Status: Exempt
Reports to: Director of Early Learning Center at Kaune
Revision Date: November 11, 2021
To apply, please complete the Growing Up New Mexico Application for Employment on the following website: https://growingupnm.org/careers/
At Growing Up New Mexico, we recognize that our educators here at the Early Learning Center at Kaune are essential to the success of our school. The Kaune leadership team works hard to support them through on-site professional development, training , and personal wellbeing. We believe it is very important to create a warm and welcome place to work, where team members can feel supported and appreciated for all they do.
Summary:
The Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant is responsible for providing infant mental health consultation and services for the children and families of the Early Learning Center at Kaune. They will be working closely with and under the guidance of an experienced, Licensed Counselor on-site.
Growing Up New Mexico is a 501(c)3 organization located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Inherent in our mission are guiding principles that center on the belief that all families are capable of success if given the right opportunities and resources at the right time. The focus of our work is to demonstrate and implement effective and proven early childhood and family support strategies, prenatal to age five, focused on quality, equity, and access. Growing Up New Mexico utilizes two parallel, mutually informed strategies in all we do: a local programmatic approach and a state-wide policy approach, with each continually informing the other.
Key Areas of Responsibility:
Conduct observations of children and collect all pertinent information needed to inform development of Children and Family Support Plans.
Work alongside ELC at Kaune administration, classroom educators, and families to develop appropriate Children and Family Support Plans.
Provide services/interventions as determined by Support Plans. Interventions may include play therapy with young children, counseling parents and families, meeting with the family to share information on child development and other supports as needed.
Assess safety, provide safety planning, and make appropriate referrals for domestic violence and suspicion of child abuse while maintaining relationships with the family.
Facilitates appropriate referrals to community mental health agencies and support services and follow up.
Participate in the delivery of parenting classes alongside other ELC at Kaune staff.
Coordinate and implement activities and events to support and benefit families in subject areas such as health, nutrition, safety, and recreation.
Consult with Director of Early Learning Center at Kaune, when necessary.
Ability to work well in culturally diverse settings, which includes knowledge of the local population served.
Knowledge of child development, psychosocial theory, and interventions.
Utilize appropriate Crisis Intervention techniques directly with children as needed. Provide guidance and training for educators and ELC at Kaune staff on appropriate responses and crisis intervention strategies that can be utilized in the classroom.
Aid ELC at Kaune educators in the development of appropriate accommodations and visual aids as outlined in Support Plans. Provide guidance and training for educators and families in utilizing these support systems.
Work alongside Director of Early Learning and others to provide training and guidance on creating an attachment based, trauma-informed school environment.
Assist in planning and providing effective staff-development activities and professional development workshops.
Stay current with latest information and best practices in early childhood mental health through readings, trainings, and seminars
Assist in the development and maintenance process for the screening and evaluation of children – screenings, checklists, identifying at-risk children, support families in connecting with additional services.
Participate in regular Team Debriefing Sessions alongside other Growing Up NM staff working with a child and their family members to ensure alignment of practices across all areas.
Exhibit professionalism, tact and patience when communicating with children, families, employees, and staff at all levels of the organization.
Always represent Growing Up New Mexico in a professional manner at special events or programs connected with the Early Learning Center. Must be flexible as events may be held outside regular work hours (evenings/weekends).
Follow all program, discipline/guidance, and confidentiality policies and procedures for the Early Learning Center at Kaune.
Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor and/or Director of Early Learning at Kaune.
Qualifications:
Master's Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Marriage and Family Counseling, Child Counseling, Psychology, or a related degree.
Current New Mexico license in Social Work, Psychology, Marriage and Family Counseling, Child Counseling; Independent License preferred.
3 years’ experience working with young children.
Infant Mental Health experience and/or endorsement a plus.
Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
Ability to pass a mandatory background clearance required of all childcare workers in the State of New Mexico.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to function effectively as a team member, with basic supervision, and work independently.
All Growing Up NM employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless a reasonable accommodation is approved.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit for prolonged periods, and use computer equipment and cell phones. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must be able to lift 40 pounds. Occasional local travel is required for meetings, events, and errands.
To apply, please complete the Growing Up New Mexico Application for Employment on the following website: https://growingupnm.org/careers/
