Infant Toddler Mental Health Consultant

Description:

The Infant and Toddler Mental Health (ITMH) Consultants will work as part of a regional team of ITMH Consultants and Infant Toddler Specialists to promote healthy growth in young children by supporting quality early childhood opportunities.  The ITMH Consultants will promote positive mental health and social and emotional development of infants and toddlers in early childhood settings.   The ITMH Consultants will not be providing direct therapeutic services to children in this role; rather, the Consultants will focus on building the capabilities, skills and mental health competencies of the early care and education staff and caregivers.

Overall, the goal of the infant toddler mental health consultation service is to focus on promoting positive interactions between adults and the children by using a mental health knowledge base to inform decisions and strategies.  The Consultants will provide an intensive and targeted approach that will bolster existing work to improve overall quality of early childhood education settings.  By utilizing a problem-solving approach to increase the capacity of the infant and toddler caregivers, it is expected that the Consultants will help child care staff and caregivers adapt to a model of care that reduces challenging behaviors, increases pro-social behaviors, and reduces expulsions and suspensions in early care and education settings. 

Responsibilities:

Program Specific Requirements:

·       Provide on-site consultation to early childhood programs that reflects and respects the philosophy of early childhood mental health consultation practices, the assigned program, and that is culturally responsive to the child, the caregiver, and the early care and education setting.

·       Promote positive mental health and social-emotional well-being by providing education on mental health issues; develop an understanding and respect for early childhood mental health within the early childhood setting and with caregivers.

·       Model the best uses for developmental, social and emotional screening tools; support implementation within the program.

·       In conjunction with the early childhood program, design and support implementation of program practices responsive to identified behavioral and mental health concerns of an individual child or group of children; support strategies to promote overall positive social-emotional development of infants and toddlers.

·       Share resources for social-emotional learning in early care and education environments.

·       Assist infant and toddler programs in building appropriate referral networks and processes for connecting with outside community-based services.

·       Collaborate with early care and education program administration to develop inclusive policies and practices for working with all children, and to implement effective policies and practices that promote effective self-care strategies for staff.

·       Participate in ongoing continuing education, which may include, but is not limited to the following topics: ITMH best/evidence-based practices, Adverse Childhood Experiences, Cultural Diversity & Humility, DC 0-5 Assessment, Early Childhood Mental Health Assessment and Strategies.

·       Complete all required documentation timely and accurately.

·       Attend all required supervision including but not limited to: model, data, clinical.

·       Other duties as assigned and required by local CCR&R.

Technology & Data System:

·       Participate in weekly data and evaluation support calls with outside partner to assure the consistent & accurate use of data collection systems.

·       Data analysis for interpretation & planning for quality improvement.

·       Maintain documentation specific to position.

·       Maintain certification for all assessment tools.

·       Maintain confidentiality of all client protected health information and adheres to all HIPAA related policies and procedures.

Community Engagement:

·       Participate in external committees, task forces, community meetings, and visibility events as requested to promote the program, and to build a professional practice network on local, regional, and/or national levels.

·       Participate in monthly ITMH Consultation calls to build an effective statewide practice.

Qualifications: