JOB TITLE: Mental Health Specialist

DEPARTMENT: Early Learning

REPORTS TO: Mental Health Manager

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

GRADE/SALARY RANGE: Grade 5

REVISION DATE: 9/15/2026

JOB SUMMARY

Provide direct mental health and social-emotional support services to children and families enrolled in the Early Learning Division. Assist classroom staff with the day-to-day management of children requiring additional social-emotional support and promote positive, trauma-responsive environments that foster healthy social and emotional development.

CHILDREN SUPERVISION RESPONSIBILITY

Responsible for child supervision and for keeping children safe.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Collaborate with classroom staff to improve classroom climate, instructional practices, and child outcomes through the use of child screening results, assessment data, and program quality measures.
2. Develop positive relationships with children, families, and staff to model and coach trauma-responsive interactions and effective behavior guidance strategies.
3. Ensure and monitor compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards related to mental health and social-emotional development.
4. Monitor classrooms and provide strategies, interventions, resources, and training that support children's social-emotional well-being.
5. Provide hands-on assistance to classroom staff working with children who require additional social-emotional and behavioral support.
6. Provide support, consultation, advocacy, and referral services to parents and guardians of assigned children.
7. Participate in training, continuing education, and professional development activities to enhance professional knowledge and skills.
8. Maintain accurate records and complete reporting requirements related to social-emotional screenings, interventions, referrals, and services within required timelines.
9. Assist with the development of training materials and educational resources for staff and families related to mental health and social-emotional development.
10. Facilitate trainings and workshops on topics including:
• Positive behavior management strategies
• Trauma-informed care
• Mental wellness trends
• Child social-emotional development
• Strategies for addressing challenging behaviors
11. Monitor, administer, and verify the completion of child social-emotional screenings.
12. Provide training and technical assistance to Family Advocates regarding mental health resources, referrals, and family support strategies.
13. Assist with daily health screenings and monitoring activities as required.
14. Participate in multidisciplinary meetings, case conferences, and team planning activities.
15. Perform other work-related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience working with children and families in an early childhood setting.
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully with young children impacted by trauma and/or social-emotional challenges.
• Experience and working knowledge of community-based mental health services and referral systems.
• Knowledge and experience with data collection systems, information management processes, childcare regulations, policies, and compliance requirements.
• Ability to handle highly stressful and sensitive situations professionally.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices in early childhood settings.
• Ability to effectively interact with parents, children, staff, and community partners.
• Strong computer skills, including database management, spreadsheets, word processing, internet applications, and email.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team.

BENEFITS

We continue to work diligently to find the right people who fit our mission. To find and retain the right people, Alliance provides benefits that support our staff’s personal needs such as:

• Medical benefits
• Dental benefits
• Vision benefits
• Telehealth access
• Paid life and disability insurance
• Paid dependent life insurance
• Paid short-term disability
• Paid long-term disability
• Medical Flexible – a flexible spending account (FSA)
• Paid Time Off (Three weeks & 14 Holidays)

Serving Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Norwalk, Stratford, Trumbull, Westport

An Equal Opportunity Employer-Through Affirmative Action