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