DISABILITIES/MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST

Position Data:
Full-time 35 hours/weekly $20.21/hour
8:30 am-4:30 pm Mon-Fri

Basic Function or Position Summary:
Promotes school success through screening, referral, service provision and follow-up for children needing health, mental health, behavioral, developmental and/or physical support. Prepares parents to be their child’s advocate as they navigate the special education process

Position Responsibilities and Specific Duties:

- Provides education, training and technical assistance to staff, volunteers and families.

- Works cooperatively with management, staff, and parents to promote positive special education and transition outcomes while ensuring compliance.

- Ensures completion and review of child developmental, social/emotional/behavioral and speech/language screenings (when needed) within 45 days of enrollment and initiates referrals for evaluation.  When necessary, makes service recommendations for individualization.

- Provides parent education and mentoring regarding specific disabilities, child transitions and parental rights and responsibilities.

- Develops positive parent advocacy skills in customers.

- Facilitates community referrals, including access to special education and mental health services for children.

- Ensures special education tracking and support of timeline from consent to services meets mandates.

- Attends IEP and IFSP meetings on behalf of COI; coordinates completion of reports for meeting.

- Conducts behavior observations to support development of behavior plans for children.

- Conducts classroom observations to support implementation of IEPs, IFSPs and behavior plans.

- Maintains awareness of new developments/trends, which may impact service delivery.

- Maintains complete information on CAPSYS for disabilities, transition and contacts.

- Completes monthly reports on disabilities, behavior concerns and mental health supports.

- Provide care and supervision of children on an as-needed basis

- Administer medication as needed to children.

- Promotes agency mission.

- Maintains confidentiality and complies with the code of ethics.

- Maintains consistent professional customer service.

- Job performance incorporates integrated service delivery model while promoting self-sufficiency.

- Other duties as designated by supervisor
Organizational Responsibilities:

- Adheres to all policies and procedures

- Gathers appropriate documentation and tracks outcomes

- Participates in organizational committee structures as appropriate

- Participates in organizational and divisional management systems
Requirements
Knowledge, Skills Required:

- Minimum Bachelor’s Degree in child development, special education, counseling, behavior science or psychology; Masters in mental health counseling or special education preferred.

- Knowledge of special education EI/CPSE process and regulations preferred.

- One year experience in parent education and advocacy preferred.

- Ability to work as an effective team member/leader.

- Strong computer skills.

- Maintain positive and cooperative relationships internally and externally.

- Excellent organizational skills including documentation and charting.

- Experience in interviewing and engagement skills.
Special Requirements:

- Maintain a current Drivers license.

- Ability to travel within New York State and occasional trips outside NYS.

- Ability to work flexible hours.

- Lifting requirements: up to 50 lbs.

- Must be able to provide consistent even tempered customer service at all times.