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Mental Health Specialists
Requisition Number:
2023-HS/C-008
Department:
Head Start and Children's Services
Employee Type:
Regular
Hours Per Week:
35
Overview:
Action for Boston Community Development is a nonprofit human services organization that each year provides more than 100,000 low income residents in the Greater Boston region with the tools and resources needed to transition from poverty to stability and from stability to success.
ABCD Head Start & Children's Services is a family development program serving children from birth to age five, as well as pregnant women. Part of a highly successful national program, we provide comprehensive services to the whole family and foster a safe, creative learning environment to support children in school readiness and their social-emotional development. We are looking for dedicated individuals who want to make a meaningful impact on the communities we serve!
Duties include:
Responsible for ensuring that training, technical assistance, and supports for good mental health practices are provided for children 0-5, families and staff
Promote positive interactions within classrooms through responsive and nurturing care
Coordinate individualized strategies to affect positive behavioral changes for identified children
Work with all staff in an inter-disciplinary approach to support and enhance the mental health of all children and families with social-emotional difficulties in providing and or obtaining services
Implement an inter-disciplinary system of mental health services to children and their families with an emphasis on the early identification of children with potential social-emotional difficulties
Provide in-house mental health treatment to children needing direct mental health services through individual counseling, play therapy, classroom support
Design and implements program practices responsive to the identified behavioral and mental health concerns of individual children or groups of children in consultation and coordination with teachers, center directors, education specialists, health specialist, disabilities specialist, and early interventionist as needed
Discuss with parents their child’s behavior and development and identify with parents appropriate responses to their child’s behavior
Maintain and monitor a comprehensive record keeping system through documents and through database system
Maintain and document on-going contact with local programs through phone and site visits
Monitor and provide information relative to Head Start requirements: support program staffs to ensure children have complete vaccination, physical, dental and nutrition screenings
Attend required meetings, trainings on and off site; central office
Perform other related duties as assigned from time to time.
Job Qualifications:
Master's degree in social work, counseling or related field and Massachusetts Social Worker License (LSW) required. Minimum of one to three years of relevant experience providing mental health services to inner-city children and low income culturally diverse families required
Must have demonstrate a knowledge of and sensitivity to the educational and socioeconomic needs of the children and families served
Excellent written and verbal communication as well as interpersonal skills
Successful experience in working as a member of an interdisciplinary team
The skill to deal with sensitive family situations in a non-threatening and professional manner
Must demonstrate a strong knowledge of child growth and development, children’s mental health issues and intervention strategies for the classroom and home environment
Ability to work independently without intensive supervision
Must be able to attend and participate in community activities, training, and night meetings as needed
Possess bilingual ability where appropriate. Translates as necessary or when needed
Why ABCD?
Make an impact on the community
Specialized professional development opportunities and trainings paid for by ABCD
Ability for LCSWs to obtain paid hours of supervision required for LICSW certifications
Opportunities for tuition reimbursement
Health and Dental Insurance
Long-term and Short-term Disability Insurance
Life Insurance
403B Retirement Plan with employer match and vesting
Paid Time Off
13 Observed Holidays
Location: Agency Wide