Head Start Family Services/Mental Health Lead

Rural Alaska Community Action Program, Inc., (RurAL CAP), founded in 1965, is a private, statewide, nonprofit organization working to improve the quality of life for low-income Alaskans. Our programs in housing, early childhood education, and health and well-being serve to alleviate the root causes of poverty. We deliver innovative, community-driven solutions in response to Alaska's most challenging needs while supporting vulnerable individuals and communities statewide. Governed by a 24-member Board of Directors representing every region of the state, RurAL CAP is one of the largest and most diverse nonprofit organizations in Alaska.
 

JOB SUMMARY:   Responsible for ensuring all family service and mental health-related tasks for assigned Head Start programs serving children birth to 3 years of age are carried out. Design, implement, and monitor systems to ensure compliance with all related Head Start Performance Standards, the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and other applicable federal and state regulations. Provide family service and mental health leadership, training, and technical assistance to staff and parents.

THIS IS A 46-WEEK PER YEAR POSITION WITH A SUMMER LAYOFF FROM JUNE 15 TO AUGUST 1.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Coordinates with all components, and in conjunction with other Leads: writes, revises and implements coaching related policies, procedures and the related Family Service/Mental Health Manual in order to ensure effective quality service delivery in which Head Start Performance Standards and all other relevant federal and state regulations are met. 
2. Obtain and maintain acute knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards specifically those pertaining to the Family Service and Mental Health component areas.
3. Provides or arranges for requested or necessary Family Service or Mental Health related training and technical assistance to site staff and Head Start parents.
4. Establishes a supportive relationship with appropriate site staff that results in increased skills and outcomes for children and families
5. Advocates for responsive, timely, and effective quality services for children and their families.
6. Takes a proactive, solution oriented perspective to problem solve any challenges that may arise within the component team or at the site level.
7. Reviews reports and appropriate data to ensure both team and site goals are being met or progress is moving in a positive direction. 
8. Under the direction of the Regional Manager, works as a member of the regional team to directly support site staff in the provision of high quality, family-friendly and community/culturally appropriate Head Start services to children and families.
9. Assists staff with referrals to agencies, and monitors referrals to ensure children are assessed in a timely manner by appropriate providers.
10. Submits required reports and information necessary for monthly, quarterly and annual reports, and other reports as requested in a timely manner.
11. Actively participates in regular staff meetings, supervisory meetings and all required training.
12. Continually seeks out ways to further their own professional development in ways that will increase the quality services they are able to provide to sites.
13. Takes initiative to join workgroups and attend meetings with outside organizations that are working towards the same common goals.
14. When faced with challenges, seeks out guidance from policies and procedures, performance standards, and other resources such as ECLKC and My Peers.
15. Assists in preparing the budget and securing the resources and materials for all children and families to be successful.
16. Supports and encourages cultural diversity and values the diversity of all peoples.
17. Trains and supports sites staff in the completion of high quality family visits to the home of each family where the needs of the family are met in a strength based approach.
18. Partners with designated site staff to ensure that the needs of families are being met.  This may include resources and referrals to other agencies.  Follow up on referrals to ensure the needs of each family were fully met.
19. Assists and supports site staff in encouraging family engagement and maintaining child attendance.
20. Maintains a local plan of effective quality family and mental health services to meet individual family needs.
21. Assist and supports site staff in holding parent training events and parenting courses that meet the Head Start Program Performance Standards requirements.
22. Works with Site Staff to ensure parents receive training in Parent Committee responsibilities, hold regular monthly meetings, and that the Regional Representative takes pertinent information to the regional meetings.
23. Establishes and maintains partnerships with applicable federal, state, regional and community resources to collaborate and advocate for responsive and effective services for children and families.  Develops Memorandums of Agreement as appropriate and ensure that Head Start’s responsibilities are met.
24. Participates in all appropriate training functions:  developing and leading workshops, presenting at conferences, etc.
25. Participates in the Health Services Advisory Committee, soliciting advice and advocating for effective quality services for children.
26. Ensures that all children are screened for mental health development. Assists staff with, and monitors mental health referrals to ensure children are assessed in a timely manner by appropriate providers.
27. Collaborates with mental health providers to write responsive, individual support plans for children with identified mental health concerns.
28. Arranges for professional mental health consultations for each site, through contracts and collaborations with behavioral health agencies. Ensures consultation is available for staff and parents, and training opportunities are provided for parents. Tracks all services provided, follows up on issues identified.
29. Supports site staff as an advisor for the Family Development Credential.  Communicates with supervisors to ensure site staff can successfully complete the course.

WORK ACTIVITIES:

1. Develops and maintains constructive and cooperative working relationships staff, organizations, agencies, and families which support the goals of the Child Development Division programs. 
2. Instructs, coaches, mentors, or otherwise helps others to improve their knowledge or skills. 
3. Develops specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish work. 
4. Performs day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining files and processing information and paperwork and uses computers and computer systems effectively to enter data, create spreadsheets and to develop documents, program, and training materials. 
5. Uses relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with current program standards, laws, or regulations.
6. Communicates with supervisors, co-workers, site staff, and people outside the organization in a professional manner, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. 
7. Analyzes and evaluates information to choose the best solution and solve problems; and to develop, design or create new ideas, systems, or products.
8. Keep program staff up-to-date on any changes in the fields of family services and mental health. 

COMPETENCIES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

1. Ability to listen, read and understand information and ideas presented, taking the time to understand the points being made and asking questions as appropriate.
2. Ability to read, understand, and follow written procedures and policies related to job responsibilities.
3. Ability to interpret and apply state and federal statutes’ and regulations, and agency policies and procedures.
4. Ability to select and use training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation.
5. Uses judgment and decision making abilities to evaluate the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
6. Uses logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
7. Ability to endure and balance work fluctuations, deadlines, and interruptions; must be able to work weekends, and long hours during occasional peak work periods.
8. Ability to sleep on floor in communities where no other lodging is available.
9. Observes, receives, and otherwise obtains information from all relevant sources and translates or explains what that information means and how it can be used.
10. Ability to establish good rapport with people of diverse cultures and belief systems.
11. Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment.
12. Must demonstrate sound judgment, professional boundaries, ethics, and ability to maintain confidentiality.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/JOB CONDITIONS:

1. Agency is a mandated tobacco, drug and alcohol free workplace.
2. General office environment, shared office space.
3. Capable of reading, understanding, and following written procedures and policies related to job responsibilities.
4. Ability to endure and balance work fluctuations, deadlines, and interruptions; must be able to work weekends, and long hours during occasional peak work periods.
5. Regular travel to rural Alaska and ability to carry out job responsibilities in rural areas without, or with limited, running water and sewer systems.
6. Ability to sleep on floor in communities where no other lodging is available.
7. Requires networking, teamwork with other employees, and an ability to share information and speak in open forums and in front of groups.
8. Communicates with others outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, and other external sources in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail in keeping with current policies & procedures.
9. Develops and maintains constructive and cooperative working relationships with others.
10. Uses computers and computer programs effectively to enter data, create spreadsheets and process information, and to develop documents, and program and training materials.
11. Develops specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish work.
12. Must have the ability to operate the following equipment: desktop computer, telephone, copier, PC printer, and fax machine.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly to grasp, type, see, talk, hear, and lift and carry 40 pounds of weight by utilizing proper lifting techniques and working in a safe manner.  This position will also be performing physical activities such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, bending, and handling materials. 
2. Occasionally performs sedentary activities that require sitting for long periods and repetitive use of hands, wrists and arms for handling, positioning, moving materials, and manipulating things. 
3. Must be in good general health and free from serious physical, mental health and/or substance abuse problems.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:
This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or hours vary with location. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.
TRAVEL:
Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-area and overnight travel may be expected.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS AND REQUIRED EDUCATION:

1. Must be at least 18 years of age.
2. Must pass state and federal background checks, including fingerprints.
3. BA degree in a field related to human/family services plus two (2) years’ experience; OR AA degree in a field related to human/family services plus three (3) years’ experience or five (5) years equivalent qualifying experience.
4. Responsible work ethic with reliable attendance.
5. Experience planning and administering program services for children and families; ability to work as a member of a team; assess the quality of services and develop program services.
6. Demonstrated effective oral, interpersonal and written communication skills including giving and receiving feedback on quality of services.
7. Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services.
8. Must pursue an ongoing professional development plan including formal training certification or college degree as recommended by the program.
9. Knowledge of family development systems.
10. Must attend 15 hours of professional development training annually.
11. Proven ability and willingness to be self-directed in problem solving and decision-making and perform basic assignment with little or no direct supervision while also working effectively as a team member.
12. Demonstrated intermediate level of computer skills necessary in order to use and create documents and reports, spreadsheets, workshop materials and slide presentations, and to enter data into intricate database programs and proficient use of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Outlook.
13. Must keep all matters concerning participants in strictest confidence as required by HIPAA privacy and the 42 CFR, Part II confidentiality regulations. 
14. Must provide a TB screening and basic physical exam within thirty (30) days of hire with follow-up every three (3) years at employee’s expense.
15. Must complete and maintain CPR and First Aid Training certification at employer’s expense.
16. Must be able to provide own transportation to meet work schedule requirements.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

1. BA degree plus two (2) years of professional work experience coordinating long-distance services to clients in rural settings.
2. Knowledge and experience in rural Alaskan lifestyles with strong competence in multi-cultural environments.
3. Familiarity with Child Plus software.
4. Experience in providing adult training.
5. Knowledge and experience with Head Start.

As a full-time, regular employee, you will be eligible to participate in our competitive benefits programs on the first day of the month after your 60th day of employment, including but not limited to:

1. Medical, Dental & Vision  
2. Life & Supplemental Insurance
3. 401K/Pension Plan
4. Flexible Spending Account/Health & Dependent Care
5. Health Savings Account
6. Employee Assistance Program
7. 20 days (160 hours) of accrued Paid Time Off
8. 10 Established paid holidays
9. Monthly Wellness Reimbursement

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT (EEO) 
RurAL CAP is an Equal Opportunity Employer and abides by the federal, state and local laws and regulations. These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are subject to certain federal recordkeeping/reporting requirements. In order to comply, we will request information from you regarding ethnicity, race, veteran status, and disability status. Agreeing or refusing to provide this information is completely voluntary, will not adversely impact your possible employment, and will only be considered as part of your application upon your request in compliance with our Affirmative Action Plan.