Disabilities/Behavioral Health Director at Institute of… · Holly…

I. General Duties:

The Disabilities/Behavioral Health Director provides leadership, coordination, and oversight for all disability, mental health, and behavioral health services within the Head Start and Early Head Start program. This position ensures compliance with the Office of Head Start Performance Standards and supports the social-emotional wellness, developmental success, and school readiness of enrolled children.

To organize, monitor, and implement activities in disabilities, and mental health and early childhood education services as required by ACF Performance Standards, Mississippi State Department of Health.

II. Specific Duties:

1. Interviews potential disabilities/mental health services employees and external consultants and make recommendations to the appropriate persons or committee
2. Assist staff with crisis intervention and de-escalation strategies
3. Meets with appropriate staff from LEA's to develop collaborative and transition agreements for the agency, and cultivate relationships with community stakeholders
4. Schedules speech, language, and hearing screenings for Head Start centers, schools, and blended sites
5. Provides direction for implementation of the disabilities/mental programs in the Head Start centers and blended sites
6. Communicates and monitor staff procedures for implementing the IFSPs/IEPs and ensures that each child with disability has an IFSP or IEP
7. Ensures that initial and follow-up services are provided for participating children
8. Lead implementation of trauma-informed and social-emotional learning practices across the program
9. Monitors the expenditures of the disabilities/behavioral areas and makes monthly financial projections to the finance department
10. Approves and submits time, attendance, travel and leave requests for the disabilities/behavioral staff
11. Monitors, supervises and evaluates the disabilities/behavioral staff and consultants to ensure compliance with standards
12. Coordinate developmental screenings, referrals, evaluations, and eligibility processes
13. Consult with parents concerning the appropriate services and programs for their children
14. Ensures that the program uses a variety of strategies to communicate effectively with parents and with non-English speaking families to promote positive behavior support systems and classroom wellness practices
15. Requests and approves needed supplies
16. Recruits volunteers and in-kind
17. Meets with service area directors to ensure compliance is being met throughout the program and analyze data to evaluate program performance
18. Collaborate with local education agencies, early intervention providers, and specialists to support inclusive classroom practices
19. Ensure accommodation and individualized support are implemented appropriately
20. Support teachers in adapting curriculum and classroom environment for children with diverse needs

III. Supervisory Control:

The disabilities/behavioral health director is directly responsible to the executive director. The disabilities/ behavioral health director is evaluated annually by the executive director and may be informally evaluated on the job as deemed necessary.

IV. Qualifications:

Minimum requirement: B.S. degree in early childhood education or related field with significant relevant experience; master's degree in social work, special education, early childhood education, or curriculum and instruction, three to five years of experience in special education preferred, or psychological assessments for children and families. Experience in supervising multidisciplinary teams. Experience working with children ages birth to five years old and families.

V. Preferred Certifications

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
• Infant Mental Health Endorsement
• Special Education Certification
• CPR/First Aid Certification

VI. Other Significant Facts:

• Must receive annual physical examination
• Must have available transportation
• Must have valid driver's license, and valid auto insurance on file in the business office
• Extensive travel (local and out-of-area)
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills
• Strong crisis management and problem-solving skills

All employees are hired at will and pleasure of ICS, Inc. Nothing contained in our policies and procedures shall be construed to create any type of employment other than "at will", nor shall anything herein create any property rights in employment or benefits. Employees not working under an employment contract are deemed to be "at will." "At will" employees may resign at any time or be terminated for any reason, so long as it's not illegal; ICS, Inc. reserves the right not to recall employees after lay-off periods due to budgetary constraints, reduction in workforce, performance evaluations, etc.