DISABILITIES/MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST Dunkirk, NY (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=17+W.+Courtney+St.+Dunkirk+NY+USA+14048) Job Type Full-time Description Position Data: Title:Disabilities/Mental Health Specialist Grade:E8Exempt:_____Non-exempt:_X_ Reports to:Child Care Center Administrator 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.Hours per week 35: Monday - Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm. Salary $19.43/hourly Security Clearance:Level 6 V,A,C,R Requirements Position Responsibilities and Specific Duties: ? Facilitates integration of service delivery to eliminate redundancy and ensure highest levels of services are provided to children and families. ? Maintain knowledge and ensure compliance. ? Provides education, training and technical assistance to staff, volunteers and families. ? Works cooperatively with management, staff, and parents to promote positive special education and early 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. ? Develops, maintains, tracks and monitors early transition plans. ? 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. ? Maintains awareness of new developments/trends, which may impact service delivery. ? Manages material resources by controlling expenses and minimizing waste. ? Maintains knowledge (professional and technical) of current practices through education, training, workshops, conferences, and establishing professional and personal networks. ? Meets or exceeds required training hours. ? Maintains complete information on CAPSYS for disabilities, transition and contacts. ? Completes monthly disability reports. Bi-annual monitoring reports ? Promotes positive agency image. ? Participates in the larger team of the agency through committee structures, management systems, planning, policy development and volunteerism as designated. ? Ensures confidentiality. ? Other duties as designated. Key Working Relationships: A) Internal:Director, Health Director, Early Education Staff, COI management team, staff, and customers B) External:Community agency representatives, funders / partners, and local Special Education providers and Committees. Supervisory Scope:NA Organizational Responsibilities: ? Provides information to parents and EI/CPSE regarding child progress. ? Ongoing tracking, monitoring and reporting, including disabilities and early transition outcomes. ? Assists in policy, procedure and program plan updates. 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: ? Complete all OCFS requirements. ? Ability to obtain initial health physical including TB test. ? 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. ? Works compassionately with diverse population. ? Experience navigating community programs.