Behavior Support Specialist

SHORE UP! Inc.; Salisbury (MD); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Paid Leave

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

SHORE UP! Inc. in Salisbury, MD seeks a Behavior Support Specialist to provide early childhood mental health support to Head Start staff, children, and families.

The role includes classroom observations, training and modeling for staff, screening, assessment and family training, as well as data collection and compliance with Head Start standards and state regulations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field with coursework in social work and behavioral health.
• Minimum of two years of direct experience in a behavioral support setting with children aged 0–5.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with staff to explore child development information related to social and emotional development, mental health, and wellness.
• Provide staff training and modeling for staff on behavioral health strategies.
• Conduct observations and assessments of individual children as assigned or referred for observation.
• Collect data, maintain records, and support compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards and state regulations.

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in behavior science/studies, social work, special education, or related field with coursework in social work and behavioral health

Job description

Supervisor:Health &Education and Disability Supervisors

Department:Head Start& Early Head StartProgram

Classification:Full Time

Monday-Friday8 am – 4 pm,8:30 am – 4:30 pm, or9 am – 5 pm

Position Qualifications:

• Bachelor'sdegreeor higherinbehavior science/studies, social work,special education,orBachelor’sdegree in a related field with courseworkin social work and behavioral health.


• Minimum of two years of direct experience in abehavioral supportsetting providing preventionand interventionservicesto children(0-5 years old).

JobDescription:

• Thebehavior support specialist (BSS)isresponsible forproviding early childhoodmental health (MH)support to Head Start staff, children, and families.


• Thebehavior support specialistwillprovidea broad range of services, including early childhoodMHobservations and supportin classrooms; training andmodeling forstaff; screening, assessment, and referral services; and providing familytraining.


• Theposition requires you tocollect data,maintainrecords, and support compliance in allfacetsof Head Start Program Performance Standards and state regulations.

Duties and Tasks:

General Consultation andBehavior Support:

• Collaborate with staff to explore child development information related to social and emotional development,mental health, and wellness.


• Implement positive strategies to support children’s well-being and prevent and address challenging behavior


• Provide guidance to staff on selecting, implementing, and interpreting social and emotional screening and assessment tools and findings.


• Answer questions about developmentallyappropriate activitiesfor children and effective ways to work with and support young children, including children with disabilities.

Programmatic Consultation:

• Participate inmonthlyreflective supervision and consultationmeetingswith the mental health consultant.


• Participate in monthly reflective supervision with Health and Education Supervisors.


• Participate in the development and implementation of the mental health program and policy.

Staff &Family Training:

• In partnership with the mental health consultant, support, coordinate, and provide staff trainings related to social and emotional andwellnessat least three times per year


• Coordinate andfacilitatetrainingfor familiesduringparent meetings.

Individualized Child Observations:

• Conduct observations and assessments of individual children as assigned or referredforobservation.


• Participate in teammeetingswith families to consult on child and family needs and create or follow upon plans to support these needs in conjunction with center staff.


• Individual Child Screening, Assessment, and Referral


• Review standardized developmental, behavioral, and social and emotional screens and assessments for individual children as assigned or referred forobservation.


• Provide child and familyreferralsand follow-up to community services.

Knowledgeand Skills:

• Demonstrate understanding of infant and early childhood mentaland behavioralhealth(0-5 years old).


• Demonstrate understanding of differences in mentaland behavioralhealth services and concepts across cultures.


• Demonstrate knowledge of child mentalandbehavioral health services system.


• Experience formulating and writingfunctionalassessments andbehavior support plans.


• Experience with evidence-based practices and curricula to promote early childhood mentalandbehavioralhealth desirable (e.g.,Active Parenting).


• Knowledge of Head Start programs is desirable.


• Build andmaintainstrong, collaborative relationships withstaffand families.


• Partner withmental healthproviders as a member of a team.


• Lead andfacilitateprovider training and family education groups.


• Conduct standardized screens and assessments.


• Use results of screenings and assessments to guide work with families, set goals, and develop individualized plans.


• Referstaffand families toappropriate communityservices.


• Communicate effectively with groups both verbally and inwritingincluding case notes and collaborations.


• Organize tasks and manage time effectively.

Other Requirements:

• Mustadhere to the Standards of Conduct.


• Maintain the confidentiality of children and families asset forth inSHORE UP! Inc.’sHead Start policies.


• Ability to manage physically active children ages0to5.


• Adhere to federal, state, and local child abuse and neglect reportingrequirements.


• Attend trainings as assigned.


• Ability to occasionallylift upto 50 pounds.


• Must have valid driver’s license and proof of insurance, or must have acceptable alternative transportation.


• Maintain first aid and CPR certification.


• Maintain compliance withbackground checks.


• Other duties as assigned.

Job Benefits:

• Paid Leave (personal, vacation, sick, funeral, 13 paid holidays).


• Health Insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription plan).


• Short-term Disability.


• Life & Supplemental Insurance.


• Liability Insurance.


• Workman’s Compensation.


• Maryland State Retirement and Pension System.


• 403(b) Option.


• Employee Assistance Program.


• Direct Deposit.


• Payroll Deduction.