Hybrid Mental Health Specialist bei Greater Bergen Community Action

Every Child Deserves a Head Start

Greater Bergen Community Action’s (GBCA) Head Start program is a rewarding environment for mental health professionals to advance their careers while making a meaningful difference. Our goal is not only to prepare children for kindergarten but also to equip the entire family for life beyond the program. Our extensive services and resources encompass a wide range, from early childhood education to health, nutrition, parental education, family counseling, financial counseling, and more.

At GBCA’s Head Start, mental health professionals and their supervisor play a vital role in supporting the mental health and development of children aged 0 to 5. Our Mental Health Specialists are dedicated to monitoring children's well-being, coordinating mental health services, and building collaborative relationships among children, families, staff, other mental health professionals, and the broader community.

This collaborative environment fosters professional growth, allowing professionals to build meaningful relationships and make a lasting impact in the community. With a focus on teamwork and a shared commitment to children's mental health, we are changing lives!

If you have the mental health background required and the ability to conduct assessments, screenings, develop and implement treatment plans, and work with a group of professionals who focus on teamwork and share a commitment to children’s health, please consider applying for our full-time, year-round Mental Health Specialist position.  This position will work with children and families who attend Head Start programs in all of our component areas.  These areas include Jersey City, Paterson, and Bergen County, New Jersey. 

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Advanced degree in Psychiatry, Psychology, or Clinical Social Work
• Minimum of one (1) year of clinical experience working with children and families.
• Experience working with a culturally diverse community.
• Excellent Communication skills – oral and written.
• Must demonstrate English proficiency - both oral and written
• Good computer skills – Microsoft applications
• Preferred: Bilingual fluency in Spanish
• Valid NJ driver’s license preferred and use of own vehicle for self-transportation; local travel is required.

 Responsibilities:

• Learns and adheres to the philosophy and mandates of Head Start and Early Head Start as outlined in the Performance Standards, licensing requirements, and the Policies and Procedures of Greater Bergen Community Action.
• Understands how children develop and learn in a variety of school, family, and community contexts and provides opportunities that support their intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development.
• Responsible for the coordination of mental health services while building collaborative relationships among children, families, staff, mental health professionals, as well as the larger community.
• Ensures that the Head Start Program complies with the Head Start Performance standards for mental health.
• Completes observations, screenings, and identification of children and development of programs for those children who need help adjusting to the classroom or have behavioral challenges at school or home. Children selected will be determined by referrals from the teacher, disability specialist, and family support specialist, as well as parents.
• Identifies, assesses, diagnoses, and implements appropriate treatment plans utilizing community resources, meeting the needs of families. 
• Develops a written plan with parents, key staff, and teachers for each child who has been identified, including special classroom and home strategies.
• Conferences with teachers, parents, and/or guardians (at home if necessary) to discuss recommendations.
• Develops ongoing plans at team meetings with the Head Start staff team.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and reach sound decisions in accordance with regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Follows up on mental health referrals with families and agencies.
• Completes a monthly report of all services provided.
• Organizes and maintains specialized documentation.
• Participates in Head Start administrative meetings as required.
• Actively participates in team meetings that include other program components.
• Networks with the mental health community as an advocate for children and families.
• Assists with revising and updating the child’s mental health plan as needed.
• Provides in-service training for staff and parents as required.
• Attends pre-service, in-service, and all staff meetings as well as any other additional meetings deemed appropriate and necessary by the supervisor and/or any other member of the administrative team.
• Shares information as needed with education staff concerning individual needs and/or concerns regarding each child.
• Organize, set priorities, and exercise sound independent judgment within areas of assigned responsibility.
• Exercises tact, objectivity, sensitivity, strategy, and judgment in dealing with volunteers, parents, and staff.
• Responsible for the overall safety of each child in the GBCA HS/EHS program
• Assumes and performs any other duties as assigned. 

Mandated Reporting: 

As per New Jersey mandated reporting guidelines, any person having reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or acts of abuse should immediately report this information to the State Central Registry (SCR). If the child is in immediate danger, call 911 as well as 1-877 NJ ABUSE (1-877-652-2873).”