Behavioral Health Support Staff

Description

The Behavioral Health Support Staff provides behavioral, developmental, language, and communication support to children within Pathways Early Education Center under the program supervision and guidance of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) through the STAR Program. Support is delivered through relationship-based, trauma-informed, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate practices within natural classroom environments. The position works collaboratively with classroom teams, Pathways leadership, families, STAR, and approved community partners to strengthen children's communication, social-emotional development, adaptive skills, self-regulation, and successful participation in the classroom.

The employee does not independently diagnose a child, prescribe treatment, or provide speech-language therapy. The employee implements approved behavioral, developmental, language, and communication strategies within the scope of the position and under the direction of Pathways leadership and the STAR BCBA. Clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic questions are referred to the supervising BCBA or other appropriately qualified professional.

• Child Screening, Observation and Support Planning
• Conduct classroom observations and assist with developmental, behavioral, language, and communication screenings when a child is referred for additional support.
• Gather and organize information from observations, screenings, teacher input, family input, and ongoing progress monitoring to support individualized classroom planning.
• Participate in meetings with the Director of Education, Curriculum Specialist, STAR BCBA, classroom team, families, and designated partners to review child progress and determine appropriate next steps.
• Recognize when a child may benefit from additional evaluation or outside services and communicate concerns through Pathways' established referral process.

• Provide direct behavioral, developmental, communication, and language support to assigned children in individual, small-group, and classroom settings.
• Use developmentally appropriate strategies to support receptive and expressive language, functional communication, vocabulary, social interaction, play, turn-taking, emotional expression, self-help skills, and school readiness.
• Use modeling, repetition, visual supports, gestures, choices, expansion of children's language, and other approved strategies throughout play and daily classroom routines.
• Support children during classroom routines, transitions, meals, outdoor play, and other naturally occurring learning opportunities.
• Use positive and preventative behavior-support strategies that promote emotional regulation, engagement, safety, independence, and successful participation with peers.
• Use the least restrictive level of prompting and support necessary to encourage independence.
• Implement and reinforce strategies recommended by the STAR BCBA and other qualified service providers when authorized, appropriate, and incorporated into the child's support plan.
• Assist classroom teams with classroom-wide supports that promote positive behavior, communication, inclusion, and participation.

• Model developmentally appropriate behavior-support, communication, language-building, instructional, and interaction strategies for classroom staff.
• Provide hands-on support and coaching to teachers as directed by the Director of Education, in coordination with the Curriculum Specialist, and consistent with guidance from the STAR BCBA.
• Help teachers incorporate communication and language-building opportunities into play, routines, transitions, books, songs, and classroom conversations.
• Share relevant observations, progress, and concerns with the Director of Education, Curriculum Specialist, and classroom team while maintaining confidentiality.
• Maintain positive working relationships and participate in collaborative problem-solving with educators, administrators, families, and community partners.

• Build trusting relationships with parents and caregivers through empathy, professionalism, active listening, and respect for each family's culture, values, and goals.
• Share general information about a child's participation, progress, and successful classroom strategies within the scope of the position and as directed by Pathways leadership.
• Reinforce approved communication, developmental, and behavior-support strategies that families may use consistently at home.
• Refer questions involving diagnosis, clinical recommendations, therapy, or significant behavioral concerns to the Director of Education and supervising STAR BCBA.
• Participate in family meetings, education, or training activities when requested.

• Prepare and maintain schedules, observation notes, support materials, progress records, and data-collection systems required by Pathways and applicable grant or…