Preschool Behavior Support Specialist

Join to apply for the Preschool Behavior Support Specialist (39628) role at Lutheran Services Florida

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) envisions a world where children are safe, families are strong, and communities are vibrant.

LSF is looking for a talented Behavior Support Specialist who wants to make an impact in the lives of others.

Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm!

The purpose of the Behavior Support Specialist is to perform professional work in behavior management of preschool children, training and coaching for staff and parents, case management including referral for psycho‑educational and mental health services. The role is responsible for developing, modeling interventions and monitoring the child’s progress while linking parents/families to mental health and/or psycho‑educational services. Successful experience working with preschool‑age children with behavioral concerns is required.

The work involves linking parents/families to community services, providing support, making referrals and following up on referrals, designing and implementing classroom behavior support plans, providing mental health and behavioral management education to parents and staff, and planning and consulting with contracted mental health professionals. This work is performed under the supervision of the Licensed Mental Health Counselor and is reviewed through conferences, reports and program effectiveness evaluations.

Participation in the HS/EHS Quality Assurance efforts is expected.

• Provides parents support to access necessary resources and conducts in‑home follow‑up, monitoring and training to assure consistency between parents and teachers as needed; teaches effective parenting skills.
• Participates in the multi‑disciplinary case management team meetings, staff conferences, health services advisory meetings, and other appropriate meetings as necessary.
• Performs case management services through referrals to mental health service providers, psycho‑educational services and other community agencies and resources.
• Assists the teacher with understanding and implementing the Behavior Support Plan.
• Conducts appropriate individual observations and assessments of enrolled children as necessary.
• Conducts classroom level observations at least twice a year (Fall and Spring); analyzes observation data to monitor improvement in social‑emotional learning and behavior management, and plans effective responses to improve child and family outcomes.
• Provides coaching support to teachers in implementing the Trust‑Based Relational Intervention Model (TBRI) with fidelity.
• Performs crisis intervention activities when necessary.
• Reviews and supports Behavior Support Plans written by the Mental Health Counselor or contracted Mental Health Provider.
• Assists the Licensed Mental Health Counselor with behavior management training and on‑site technical assistance to the centers.
• Assists with processing internal referrals to the Licensed Mental Health Counselor and/or contracted Mental Health Provider.
• Assists with monitoring services facilitated by the Mental Health Counselor and/or contracted Mental Health Provider.
• Attends all workshops and meetings as deemed necessary by the immediate supervisor and the Executive Director.
• Attends all required staff and parent meetings and activities.
• Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to children, families and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Health and Safety: LSF is committed to providing a safe work environment. Employees are expected to follow safety warnings, use personal protective equipment when required, report unsafe conditions, report suspected child abuse and neglect, provide active supervision of assigned children, and follow procedures for pulling out children for behavior intervention services or therapy.

Physical Requirements: Must be able to lift at least 45 lbs. Reasonable accommodation may be made for otherwise qualified persons with disabilities.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in educational psychology, mental health counseling, special education, social…