Mental Health Specialist

Alliance for Community Empowerment Inc; Bridgeport (CT); On-site; USD 30,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Telehealth access

Paid life and disability insurance

Paid short-term disability

Paid long-term disability

Medical Flexible Spending Account (FSA

Job summary

Alliance for Community Empowerment Inc. seeks a Mental Health Specialist to provide direct mental health and social-emotional support to children and families in the Early Learning Division at Bridgeport Head Start.

You will assist staff with cases requiring additional social-emotional support and promote trauma-informed environments that foster healthy development. You will train staff, collaborate across teams, and ensure compliance with program standards, while maintaining accurate records

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, Social Work, Psychology or related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience working with children and families in an early childhood setting.
• Demonstrated ability to work with trauma-impacted children and families.
• Experience with community-based mental health services and referral systems.
• Knowledge of data collection systems, childcare regulations, and compliance requirements.
• Ability to handle highly stressful situations professionally.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with classroom staff to improve classroom climate and outcomes using screening results and data.
• Build positive relationships with children, families, and staff to model trauma-informed interactions.
• Ensure compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards for mental health and social-emotional development.
• Monitor classrooms and provide strategies and training to support social-emotional well-being.
• Provide hands-on assistance to staff supporting children with social-emotional and behavioral needs.
• Offer training and referral services to families and guardians.
• Maintain records and complete reporting related to screenings and services.

Skills

Excellent communication

Trauma-informed care

Data management

MS Office / databases

Independent but collaborative

Education

Bachelor's degree in Sociology / Social Work / Psychology

Tools

Database management

Spreadsheets

Word processing

Email / internet apps

Job description

Mental Health Specialist

HEAD START Regular Full-Time Professional Bridgeport, CT, US

3 days ago Requisition ID: 1460

Salary Range: $21.62 To $27.02 Hourly

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

• 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.
• Develop positive relationships with children, families, and staff to model and coach trauma-responsive interactions and effective behavior guidance strategies.
• Ensure and monitor compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards related to mental health and social-emotional development.
• Monitor classrooms and provide strategies, interventions, resources, and training that support children's social-emotional well-being.
• Provide hands-on assistance to classroom staff working with children who require additional social-emotional and behavioral support.
• Provide support, consultation, advocacy, and referral services to parents and guardians of assigned children.
• Participate in training, continuing education, and professional development activities to enhance professional knowledge and skills.
• Maintain accurate records and complete reporting requirements related to social-emotional screenings, interventions, referrals, and services within required timelines.
• Assist with the development of training materials and educational resources for staff and families related to mental health and social-emotional development.
• Facilitate trainings and workshops on topics including:
• Positive behavior management strategies
• Trauma-informed care
• Mental wellness trends
• Strategies for addressing challenging behaviors
• Monitor, administer, and verify the completion of child social-emotional screenings.
• Provide training and technical assistance to Family Advocates regarding mental health resources, referrals, and family support strategies.
• Assist with daily health screenings and monitoring activities as required.
• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings, case conferences, and team planning activities.
• 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.

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
• Telehealth access
• Paid life and disability insurance
• Paid short-term disability
• Paid long-term disability
• Medical Flexible – a flexible spending account (FSA)

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

An Equal Opportunity Employer-Through