Job Title: Head Start Disabilities/Mental Health Manager
Agency: Northwestern Illinois Community Action Agency (NICAA) – Freeport, IL
Job Type: Full-Time (Part-Year) | Hourly | Non-Exempt
Schedule: Monday – Friday | 37.5 hours/week
Location: On-site / In-person
Reports to: Director
Make a Lasting Impact as a Head Start Disabilities/Mental Health Manager
Disabilities and Mental Health Manager
The Disabilities and Mental Health Manager is responsible for overseeing the Disabilities component of the Head Start program. This is a dual-role position that supports not only children with disabilities and their families; but also promotes the mental health and wellness of teachers and staff.
In this role, you will work closely with children who have a wide range of developmental, learning, emotional, behavioral, and physical disabilities. You will collaborate with families to ensure each child receives the highest quality care, education, and support while enrolled in the program.
The Disabilities and Mental Health Coordinator serves as a liaison between the Head Start program and the local school district, working collaboratively to ensure children receive appropriate services and that educational goals are aligned. You will partner with teachers, specialists, and parents to monitor each child's progress, communicate updates regarding Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs), and ensure families remain informed and actively involved throughout the process.
Using the school district's IEP or IFSP as a guide, you will assist Head Start teachers in developing individualized classroom plans that support each child's unique needs. These plans will include strategies and activities that can be implemented both in the classroom and at home to promote continued growth and development.
As part of a multidisciplinary team, you will help develop, implement, monitor, and review individualized educational programs, ensuring they are tailored to each child's strengths and needs. You will also participate in meetings with parents, teachers, school administrators, therapists, and other service providers to discuss student progress, recommend modifications, and ensure all required services are delivered effectively.
Additionally, this position supports the overall social-emotional well-being of the program by providing resources, coaching, and support to teachers, helping create positive learning environments that foster success for both children and staff.
Education & Experience Requirements
Must have at a minimum, a baccalaureate degree preferably in one or more of the said components, Mental Health or Special Education. Have a willingness to learn and adhere to Federal Head Start Regulations, DCFS Licensing Standards, USDA Regulations, OSHA Standards and NICAA Head Start Policy. Must have knowledge of IDEA (Individual with Disabilities Education Act) laws, support agencies, and disability conditions. Ability to work well with others. Willing to attend seminars and share resources, be responsible, dependable, organized and have leadership and supervision skills. Must have a valid driver's license and transportation.
Additional Requirements
Ø Must be at least 21 years old.
Ø Valid Illinois Driver’s License and reliable transportation
Ø Employment is contingent on a cleared criminal background check (national database), a cleared background check as per the department of children and family services licensing standards and at the successful completion of the 90 day probationary period.
Ø Must pass a general physical examination and TB screening at the time of hire and every two years after that. Provide proof of MMR, and Tdap vaccinations.
Ø Must obtain/maintain First Aid and CPR certification (Provided through the Agency)
Ø Skills & Competencies
o Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards
o Experience with Teaching Strategies Gold and ChildPlus
o Knowledge of CLASS observation framework
o Strong data tracking and reporting skills
o Ability to present trainings to staff
o Experience with behavior management and positive guidance
o Ability to coach and mentor teaching staff
o Strong communication and collaboration skills
o Ability to manage time and multitask (work as at team and be self directed)
o Ability to adjust to new situations (adaptable)
Ø Physical & Work Environment
o Indoor/outdoor classroom environments; exposure to illness/bodily fluids possible
o Frequent standing, walking, lifting, bending, and active play with children
o Occasional travel for training, home visits, and community events
o Ability to lift 55 lbs. and perform physical duties such as squatting, kneeling, and sitting on the floor.
Essential Duties
Ø Provide for day-to-day operation of the disability component.
Ø Recruit 10% of children with suspected and/or previously diagnosed disabilities.
Ø Identify children in need of diagnostic evaluation.
Ø Coordinate with the Education manager and classroom teachers to determine child progress and plan appropriate activities.
Ø Arrange for a diagnostic process if not completed by another source.
Ø Update component policies as needed.
Ø Ensure that children with disabilities are included in the full range of Head Start services and activities.
Ø Provide for smooth transition into Head Start for children with disabilities.
Ø Establish procedures for record keeping and reporting.
Ø Develop agreements with other agencies to coordinate services to children with disabilities.
Ø With PDM, identify and provide for training needs of staff members.
Ø Go over the child’s IEP with the classroom teachers breaking down the IEP language, answering, and explaining the IEP.
Ø Assure that needs of parents with children with disabilities are met.
Ø Along with the teacher, visit dually enrolled children with IEPs at public pre-school classes.
Ø Educate all children about disabilities using prop boxes, toys, books, and games; by visiting each class to do an awareness activity about people with disabilities.
Ø Provide reminders and transportation to parents and children to IEP’s, screenings, etc.
Ø Provide follow-up and train staff and one-on-one, on the use of special toys and equipment needed in the classrooms.
Ø To give the teachers resources to help them teach the children about emotions.
Ø As a mandated reporter, make reports of abuse if needed.
Ø Provide one on one with child when one on one is not available.
Ø Working with Education and Professional Development Manager to provide staff training.
Ø Meet monthly with teaching teams and Education manager and the child’s one on one about child(ren) with disabilities progress.
Ø Do Head Start IEP’s with the teacher and one on one for each child with disability and follow up monthly at meetings. Provide activities to the teachers on how to work towards.
Ø Meet with and orient the teachers with children with IEP’s before their first day of class.
Ø Participate in NICAA Head Start staff meetings.
Ø Attend workshops, training, and conferences to enhance knowledge of the Head Start program.
Ø Review and evaluate component timeline yearly and as needed.
Ø Collaborate with community organizations and groups.
Ø Maintain confidentiality.
Ø Meet with the Director to assist in establishment of program goals and objectives.
Ø Establishes and/or maintain channels of communication between Head Start and local public schools through direct contact with administrators.
Ø Attend screenings at local schools.
Ø Ensures developmental screenings and transition activities are completed with enrolled children within 45 days.
Ø Provides for training of Head Start staff and parents on disabilities and mental health through workshops, handouts and parent meetings.
Ø Locates, develops and maintains appropriate procedures, resources and consultants to provide quality program disabilities and mental health services within limitations of the budget.
Ø Carries overall responsibility for compliance with Head Start Performances Standards, federal state, and local government and all applicable rules and regulations that apply to the mental health and transitions components. Support the agency’s mission and philosophy.
Ø Maintains up-to-date IEP’s and PGP’s for the Disabilities and Mental Health components. Coordinates disabilities and transition services with all component coordinators. Serves as team leader for the agency’s annual self-assessment process.
Ø Keep records in our ChildPlus data.
Ø Schedule Positive Guidance Plan meetings and follow Guidance plan procedure until the plan has been closed.
Ø Follow up with medical providers for appropriate paperwork if a diagnosis has been made.
Ø All other duties as assigned.
Nothing herein shall be construed as limiting the authority of the Director from assigning such other functions and responsibilities as are necessary to establish and maintain program efficiency and effectiveness.
Professional Development Responsibilities
Attend and actively engage in professional development training designed to assist in acquiring or increasing the knowledge and skills needed to provide high quality, comprehensive services within the scope of the assigned job responsibilities.
As per the Office of Head Start requirements, a minimum of 15 clock hours of professional development per year for all staff (45 CFR 1302.92)
Confidentiality
The person filling this position must abide by the confidentiality policy and established Code of Ethics regarding children, family, staff and agency matters.
Accountabilities
To support staff in creating a child focused, emotionally supportive, safe and responsive learning environment offered through developmentally appropriate early learning experiences. One that is formed from mutual respect and through making emotional connections, engaging in progressive communication, celebrating autonomy and freedom of expression, and providing opportunities for higher order thinking. Resulting in eliminating racial, ethnic and linguistic disparities.
Adhere to internal and external policy, procedure and best practice:
Ø DCFS Licensing Standards
Ø Head Start Performance Standards
Ø Child and Adult Care Food Program
Ø OSHA
Ø NICAA Head Start Policy & Procedures
Ø NICAA Personnel Policy & Procedures
Support the mission goals and objectives of the Northwestern Illinois Community Action Agency and Head Start program.
Pay: From $21.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
