Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist

Metropolitan Family Services empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, since 1857, Metropolitan Family Services has been the engine of change that empowers families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities. Metropolitan is Illinois’ first comprehensive human services agency and reaches more than 117,000 individuals and families in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs and DuPage County with services promoting education, economic stability, emotional wellness and empowerment.

We are now hiring for full-time Early Childhood Mental Health Specialistto join our DuPage Early Learning Team!

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Identify and create training and professional development opportunities to better support individualized learning and improve teaching/home visiting practices in the Mental Health domain.
• Provide opportunities for Head Start and Early Head Start center and home based children to be observed and provides feedback regarding teacher/PCE practices to teaching/home visiting staff, as well as the Education Coach, Family Support Worker, and Site Supervisor.
• Provide supports for effective classroom/socialization group management and positive learning environments; supportive teacher/PCE practices; and, strategies for supporting children with challenging behaviors and other social, emotional, and Mental Health concerns.
• Provide assistance in implementing strategies to identify and support children with Mental Health and social emotional concerns.
• Assist in the implementation of policies to limit suspension and prohibit expulsion.
• Assist staff in identifying prevalent child Mental Health concerns, including internalizing, as well as, externalizing problems.
• Assist parents and staff in accessing Mental Health interventions and understanding the importance of Mental Health and social emotional wellbeing.
• Assist in identification and development of annual school readiness goals aligned with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five.
• Assure all sites adhere to strictest standards of health and safety.
• Provides active supervision to ensure the safety of Head Start/Early Head Start children while in the classroom/socialization group, during transitions, at time of transportation, and while on the playground. Ensures that no child shall be left alone or unsupervised.
• Serve as an advocate for children and families through participation in IEP and/or IFSP development, including transitioning from an IFSP to an IEP when applicable. Monitor and provide feedback on individual plans for children suspected of disabilities or with certified plans.
• Support agency and program goals and translate policies, developmentally appropriate practice, curriculum, and standards to parents.
• Assist in developing supportive relationships between teacher/PCE, child, and family within the context of culture and community.
• Plans and facilitates training and technical assistance in the form of individual coaching sessions, site team meetings, and whole program professional development opportunities.
• Providing counseling and crisis support to families.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Master's Degree in Social Work or Counseling from an accredited college or university required. 
• Must have applied to take LSW or LPC examination. 
• Two years of post-graduate social work experience preferred. 
• Experience providing Mental Health services for children ages 0-5 in Early Childhood education, preferred. 
• Extensive knowledge of child development and Early Childhood education is required. 
• Advanced writing and communication skills, knowledge of data analysis, and reflective leadership. 
• Bilingual skills in English/ Spanish preferred.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT:

• MFS staff are required to provide proof of vaccination or have an approved Medical exemption prior to starting employment. If an approved Medical is obtained, weekly testing may be required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

• While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand for sustained periods of time, frequently talk, hear, use hands and fingers to feel, handle and operate objects or controls, and occasionally stand, bend, stretch, stoop, kneel and crouch.
• The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing and viewing a computer terminal.
• The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

SALARY:

• Compensation is commensurate with years of related experience, position requirements, and candidate qualifications average salary for non-licensed professional $48,000

Metropolitan Family Services offers a very generous benefits packet to our professionals: 

• Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medical Coverage: HMO, Traditional PPO, or PPO w/ HSA contributions.
• Dental and Vision Insurance Options
• 12 paid Holidays  
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 401K Plan
• Training and Professional Development Plan with E- Learning
• Wellness Initiative Program
• Employee Assistance Network