BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION SPECIALIST

The Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Bedford and Fulton counties work in partnership with families to build children’s and parents’ strength, promote self-esteem, and encourage self-sufficiency and lifelong learning.

This position will provide behavioral support and strategies to help strengthen children’s social-emotional skills and improve their ability to learn; support teaching staff in the establishment, maintaining positive and productive partnerships with families; coordinate, develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate behavioral/mental health concerns to ensure the highest degree of quality services are provided to children.

Responsibilities:

• Plans, develops and coordinates with all staff for the implementation of goals and objectives in meeting the behavior health needs of children.
• Responsible for conducting and documenting observations of children when referred for behavioral or social-emotional concerns.
• Collects, organizes, and analyzes child-related information in a tracking system in order to generate meaningful records and reports of activities, progress, and outcomes regarding behaviors.
• In collaboration with Education Team and classroom staff, assists in the implementation of a behavior support plan, or behavior intervention plan (BIP), behavioral health treatment plan, and or individualized education plan (IEP).
• Develops community linkages to locate and access resources for families.
• Maintains strict confidentiality as legally defined and in accordance with program policy.
• Regularly communicates with Disabilities/MH/Transition Manager regarding needs, preparation and monitoring of MH services.
• Coordinates communications, scheduling, and feedback process between consultants and other Head Start staff.
• Assures scheduling and follow-up on services related to behavior/mental health, including assisting and arranging for evaluations on children as necessary.
• Assists in representing Head Start through community public relations, including intermediate units and positive transitions to the public schools.
• Is involved in regular staffing with the coordinating team and teachers for the purpose of recognizing and dealing with family needs.
• Responsible for obtaining and forwarding documentation for Non-Federal Share In-Kind to HS/EHS administrative office.
• Provides effective and immediate behavioral intervention/strategies and determines, in conjunction with MH consultant, if further referral and evaluation are needed.
• Monitors use and effectiveness of instructional supports, such as weighted vests/blankets, adaptive seating, fidget toys, regulation putty, etc. Discusses with Disabilities/Mental Health/Transition Manager and Education Team to maximize effectiveness or determine need for change.
• Develops positive relationships with families, program staff, and community providers to effectively support the classrooms and the children and families enrolled in Early Head Start, Head Start, and Pre-K Counts; includes regular meetings to promote wellness and or address any concerns there may be about a child’s behavior and or mental health.
• Recognizes the difference between challenging behavior and appropriate developmental levels in children ages birth to 5 years, old in coordination with Mental Health Consultant.
• Responsible for referrals and coordinating communications with the Mental Health Consultant as well as with local mental health agencies in collaboration with parents and staff.
• Implements practices designed to support the Federal Head Start Program Performance Standards and applicable state regulations addressing mental health.
• Assumes responsibility for on-going professional development including training in PBIS; stays up to date on best practices in addressing young children’s behavior and or mental health needs.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mental Health/Psychology/Social work, Early Childhood Education, Special Education, or a related field required.
• Minimum of two years professional experience observing, assessing, planning, and implementing behavioral health strategies with young children.
• Experience working with the Head Start and or Pre-K Counts program preferred.

Head Start Offers:

• Monday to Friday hours with limited evening or weekend work and holidays off
• Competitive salary
• Excellent low cost benefits
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Discounts on child day care
• Tuition reimbursement

ALL POSITIONS REQUIRE A VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE, ACT 31, 34/151 AND FBI CLEARANCES. An ALSM application, a resume, and transcripts should be sent to:

EOE