DISABILITIES/MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST

Description

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.