Mental Health Consultant

Mental Health Consultant

Are you a mental health professional passionate about impacting the healthy development of young children? Do you want to use your strengths to guide effective support and resources to children, staff, and participants?

Community Action Head Start is currently looking for a Mental Health Consultant to join our Early Childhood Education team! This professional will provide strengths-based, culturally competent, consultation, grounded in the pyramid model, socio-ecological frameworks, and trauma-informed care, to staff and families that promotes and supports children’s healthy social-emotional development. Our Mental Health Consultant will serve as a member of our Head Start management team to develop and implement effective mental health programs and support. In the Mental Health Consultant role, direct individual psychotherapy services are not part of this consultation model, but rather the Mental Health Consultant uses their expertise to cooperatively clarify needs and develop, implement, and evaluate strategies to build supports into children’s daily environments.

Starting Pay: $47,000-$59,000 commensurate with experience/qualifications

The Role:

• Collaborate with and provide consultation and coaching to program instructional coaches, teachers, home visitors, and caregivers.
• Conduct Observations, and as needed, additional assessments of children, and use data/information to provide guidance regarding social emotional needs
• Identify and assist in referrals to appropriate community services for children and caregivers
• Provide guidance, resources, education, and training related to social emotional development, parenting, and mental health to staff and program participants
• Participate in the development and implementation of mental health program and policy
• Participate in department Health Advisory Committee.

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy or closely related field required.
• Nebraska Licensure as Mental Health Practitioner or Provisionally Licensed Mental Health Practitioner required.
• Experience with center-based early childhood programs preferred.
• Experience working with low-income or other historically marginalized populations strongly preferred.
• Strong verbal and written proficiencies of the English language required.
• Ability to travel between agency offices and Head Start Centers within our program area.

Benefits & Perks:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Employer-paid life insurance, short term disability, and long term disability coverage.
• Paid Time Off plan and 11 paid holidays. 
• 401K with employer match.
• Qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program for federal student loans. 
• Extensive opportunities for personal and professional development.
• Engaging work environment with friendly and supportive team members.
• Meaningful work that positively impacts families and children in our community.

About Head Start:

Community Action Head Start gives children from at-risk backgrounds opportunities to build the skills they need to be successful in school and life. We work alongside children, families, and the community on the path to success. Services are provided at no cost to families.

About Community Action: 

Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties is a private, not-for-profit organization with the belief that extraordinary employees have the power to positively transform lives and communities. We value people who are passionate, ethical, and dedicated to empowering those living in poverty to reach economic stability. 

Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression), national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, marital status, genetics, or any other status protected under federal and state law.

COVID-19 Vaccination Policy:

Effective January 1, 2022, all employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, in compliance with any federal, state, and local regulations; and contract/funding requirements related to COVID-19 vaccination.

New or prospective employees hired after January 1, 2022, will need to have completed their first dose prior to their start date, and provide documentation of their current vaccination status.  Full vaccination status, defined as vaccinated two weeks after receiving the requisite number of doses of a COVID-19 vaccine approved or authorized for emergency use by the FDA, must be completed no later than 6 weeks after their start date.

Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation please email hr@communityactionatwork.org and we will be happy to assist. All information provided will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.