Mental Health and Disabilities Coordinator

Mental Health And Disabilities Coordinator

Under the general direction of the Assistant Director of Program Services, this position is responsible for the design and implementation of the Disabilities and Mental Health components to ensure services provided for identified children and families enrolled in the program are consistent and of high quality. Provides direction to teaching staff, Home Visitors, and Family Services in the arena of Disabilities and Mental Health and supervises the Mental Health Consultant to ensure quality services and integrated program services.

Coordinates and implements referral and tracking systems for Disabilities and Mental Health, serves as a coordinator and provides guidance for the interpretation of Individual Family Service Plans (IFSP) Individual Education Plans (IEP) and setting goals and objectives. Identifies and analyzes children's needs and students with specialized learning needs; considers instructional and home environments in relation to disabilities and provides guidance/support for instructional material and teaching methods.

Assist staff in recognizing possible mental health challenges and appropriate referrals and follow through. Coordinates and implements staff/parent training. Interacts with public and private service agencies (i.e. Local Education Agencies (LEA) and Regional Centers, community mental health agencies and providers), conducts home visits as needed.

The Assistant Director of Program Services provides general direction and supervision. This position exercises supervision over the Mental Health and Disabilities Aide.

Disabilities:

• Ensures that at least 10% of all funded enrollment opportunities are available to children with disabilities.
• Ensures services for children with special needs and their families support the attainment of expected outcomes as defined in the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) and/or Individualized Education Program (IEP).
• Conducts outreach to local organizations and in the community to help recruit and enroll children with disabilities to help meet EHS/Head Start ERSEA requirements for providing enrollment opportunities for age-eligible children with disabilities in the community of service.
• Ensures initial screenings data for all incoming and returning children is completed and obtained, including ASQ-3/ASQ:
  
  SE-2 screenings are completed, to help identify children with suspected or unidentified.
• Ensures Training and Technical Assistance to Instructional Staff to ensure that there is a clear process for identifying children with suspected or unidentified disabilities through an internal concern identification and referral process.
• Ensures special education assessments and eligibility determinations are completed by licensed/certified professionals within the timelines established by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and that forms and reporting procedures are consistent with Head Start regulations and grantee requirements.
• Provides guidance to parents regarding Parent Rights in Special Education.
• Monitors classroom lesson plans to ensure identified children's goals and objectives are incorporated into daily routines.
• Conducts and documents monthly observations of children with special needs in all program options.
• Collaborates with Regional Centers and LEAs to develop assessment processes and procedures for children with special needs and monitors required services.
• Completes classroom observations and attends home visits with staff, as needed.
• Assists parents in arranging smooth transitions for children with special needs entering the public school system, transitioning from Early Head Start to Head Start, or moving from Home-Based to Center-Based services.
• Ensures educational…