Disability Mental Health Manager

POSITION SUMMARY

The Services to Children with Disabilities content area is an integral part of the larger system of services provided by Head Start. It plays an important part in supporting the goals of the program. This includes working to develop appropriate placement and early childhood education curriculum and providing educational resources for staff and parents, ensuring compliance with performance standards and recognized best practices in the field of early childhood education and special education.

The position could involve the provision of direct services in the disabilities area only if the individual is licensed, certified, or registered as such in the state of service. This position ensures that the disability services provided are supported by staff and/or consultants with training and experience in the field(s) related to social, human, or family services so that needed services for children with disabilities can be individualized and secured.

Mental health services are an integral part of the larger system of services provided by Head Start/Early Head Start. It plays an important part in supporting the goals of the program. This position is responsible for the facilitation of mental health services for the Head Start/Early Head Start program. The position is responsible for collaborating on the development and implementation of the program, tracking and recordkeeping, community relations, and outreach.

The position could involve the provision of direct services in the mental health area only if the individual is licensed as such in the state of service. This position is responsible for ensuring mental health services are supported by staff or consultants who are licensed or certified mental health professionals with experience and expertise in serving young children and their families.

• Takes the lead in the initial development of the Disabilities Work Plan, then administers, monitors, and revises as necessary. Make sure that all staff are familiar with the Plan.
• Ensures Head Start/Early Head Start Services to children with disabilities follow federal regulations and laws governing disability efforts as defined in IDEA and ADA.
• Coordinates the recruitment of children with disabilities into the program with other staff and community agencies.
• Ensures attendance of a Head Start/Early Head Start staff member(s) at the IEP/ IFSP process.
• Establishes policies and procedures for the implementation of the disabilities portion of the program with parents and staff.
• Assists in locating, setting up, and accessing contract services to meet the needs of children and families.
• Establishes a referral process for any suspected disability/developmental delay or at-risk for developmental delay, including a tracking system for follow‑up.
• Arranges for further formal evaluation of a child who has been identified as possibly having a disability/developmental delay.
• Works closely with other managers/specialists/coordinators in the assessment process and follow‑up to assure that the special needs of each child with disabilities are met.
• Works with staff to ensure that provisions to meet special needs are incorporated into all content areas as needed.
• Collaborates with local education agencies (LEA's) and special service providers to ensure integrated, coordinated provision of special services to include joint parent and staff training and Child Find activities. Initiates community partnership agreements.
• Develop and implement a strategy that supports a successful transition for children with disabilities or other special needs into the Early Head Start/Head Start Program or from Early Head Start into Head Start or Head Start into kindergarten or another community program. Works closely with the PartC Early Intervention Program and Early Head Start to recruit and enroll eligible children into Head Start/Early Head Start.
• Works with supervisor and other management staff in planning and budgeting of funds to assure that the special needs identified in the IEP/IFSP are fully met; that children most in need of an integrated placement and of special assistance are served; and that the program maintains the level of fiscal support to children with disabilities consistent with the congressional mandate to meet their special needs as well as other community‑based programs.
• Assists the staff persons working in the Family and Community Partnerships area and family services staff (case managers) in compiling current resource information related to disability services.
• Provides technical support to the teachers and other staff as needed.
• Assists in implementing intervention strategies within the classroom or home‑based setting with the intent for teachers and other staff to be able to carry out strategies independently.
• Provides services to Head Start/Early Head Start families with children with disabilities in cooperation with other…