The Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant provides on-site mental health consultation and capacity-building services to teaching staff, caregivers, and families. This role supports programs across Santa Clara, Alameda, and/or Contra Costa counties, enhancing relationships in care settings and fostering nurturing environments.
Requirements summary
A Master's degree in a related field and licensure in California as LMFT, LCSW, LPCC, or Psychologist is preferred. Candidates should have at least one year of experience providing mental health services to children ages 0-5 and their families, with knowledge of early childhood development.
postgraduate degreeCommunication SkillsCollaborationCrisis InterventionTraining FacilitationData CollectionSocial-Emotional DevelopmentCommunity-Based ServicesTrauma-Informed PracticesMulticultural CompetenceTherapeutic ServicesEarly Childhood DevelopmentGroup DynamicsMental Health ConsultationChild Development AssessmentReflective SupervisionConsultative Stance
Job description
A little about us… Kidango (kidango.org [https://www.kidango.org]) is an early learning nonprofit committed to setting every child on a path to thrive in kindergarten and in life.
We believe that all children can reach their full potential if they and their families have access to the right opportunities and resources.
As the largest child care provider in the San Francisco Bay Area, we provide thousands of children, especially those from low-income families, with safe, healthy, nurturing environments and relationships.
Through our policy work, we aim to take our expertise beyond the children and families that we serve, and drive change in early childhood education at the local, state and federal levels.
Our goal is to make sure all children have the social, emotional, and academic skills they need to learn, grow and realize their potential.
About the Role
The Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant provides on-site mental health consultation and capacity-building services to teaching staff, caregivers, and families within infant, toddler, and preschool early learning settings. This role supports programs across Santa Clara, Alameda, and/or Contra Costa counties.
The consultant partners with educators and families to strengthen social-emotional development, promote positive and inclusive learning environments, and support young children with mental health concerns, challenging behaviors, or developmental differences. The goal of the position is to enhance relationships in the care setting, build staff competence and confidence, foster nurturing and emotionally responsive environments, and strengthen collaboration between home and school.
(Important note
This is an administrative and operational support role. This position does not invlove direct, hands-on patient care, clinical porcedures, or therapy delivery , and cannot be used to fulfill clinical hour requirements for graduate clinical programs)
What You’ll Be Doing
Implement all aspects of the delivery of the Kidango model of early childhood mental health consultation services to staff, children and families that includes system, program, center and child-level consultation.
Conduct consistent and ongoing consultation meetings/conversations, observations, assessments and other consultative/therapeutic activities.
Benefits
Comprehensive Benefits Package
Participate in individual and group reflective supervision that is marked by atmosphere of trust, respect reflection and collaboration.
Participate in regular administrative supervision. Adhere to protocols, processes and timelines related to referrals, case assignments and documentation (NO MEDI-CAL billing, productivity or documentation).
Establish and maintain strong collaborative and professional relationships with staff across departments.
Support referral process for community-based services and resources, as needed.
Develop and/or facilitate trainings on a range of early childhood mental health topics for consultation as part of consultation support.
Provide interventions to assist with mental health or behavioral crisis as arise, including with situations related to mandated reporting and any suspected child abuse adhering to laws and regulations.
Complete data collection procedures and provide data reporting as requested. Support the development and implementation of program evaluation and outcome measurement procedures.
Attend supervision and other meetings as required for the program.
Preferred Qualifications
A Master's degree or higher in Child Development, Human Development, mental health, education, or related field (e.g., psychology, counseling, social work, special education, marriage and family therapy, or a related behavioral science field.) required.
Licensure in California as LMFT, LCSW, LPCC, or Psychologist nice to have
Minimum one year of experience providing mental health or therapeutic services to children ages 0–5 and their families.
Some knowledge of early childhood development and experience in group early learning environments.
Experience assessing young children’s social-emotional functioning.
Ability to work effectively with adults, including supporting group dynamics and adult learning.
Experience in multicultural and under-resourced communities; understanding of trauma, poverty, and related stressors.
Infant/family early childhood mental health endorsement (or reflective practice endorsement) strongly preferred.
Training or experience in infant/early childhood mental health models, including evidence-based and trauma-informed practices (e.g., Child Parent Psychotherapy). Preferred.
Familiarity with mental health consultation in Early Head Start, Head Start, and state preschool programs.
Ability to work from an ecological, relational, and trauma-informed lens consistent with infant mental health principles.
Bilingual Spanish/English
Other qualifications/Requirements
Commitment to a consultative stance that builds the reflective capacity and mental health competencies of caregivers, teachers, and staff.
Ability to engage in ongoing self-reflection, examine personal biases, and support others in perspective-taking. Ability to develop trusting, collaborative, and professional relationships with staff and families.
Flexibility to work in natural settings, including classrooms, homes, and community locations; occasional evenings/weekends.
Understanding of typical and atypical development, cultural variations in caregiving, and the impact of power, inequity, and oppression on relationships.
Strong written and verbal communication skills; professional, organized, and self-directed.
Ability to exercise sound clinical, ethical, and legal judgment and seek supervision as needed. Reliable transportation and ability to travel daily throughout assigned counties (Santa Clara, Alameda, and/or Contra Costa).
Compensation $90,221.04—$90,221.04 USD
Additional Requirements
Must pass a health screening and TB test
Must pass background fingerprint clearance
Must be 18 years or older
The ability to lift up to 30lbs may be needed during some job duties
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions
Perks
An opportunity to improve real lives, solve hard problems, and change the world
Friendly, supportive, and adventurous environment with a team of engaged colleagues
We believe every employee has the right to work in an environment that is free from all forms of unlawful discrimination. Consistent with applicable laws, Kidango makes all decisions involving any aspect of the employment relationship without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, citizenship, the presence of any physical or mental disability of someone otherwise qualified, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status or characteristic protected by local, state, or federal law, other than those positions which are deemed ministerial in nature. Discrimination and/or harassment based on any of those factors are inconsistent with our philosophy of doing business and will not be tolerated. This policy of non-discrimination applies to all aspects of application procedures, hiring, advancement, transfers, reductions in force, discharge, compensation, training, or other terms, conditions and privileges of employment.
A diverse and inclusive workplace where we learn from each other is an integral part of Kidango’s culture. We actively welcome people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives. We are an equal opportunity employer and a great place to work. Join us and help us achieve our mission!
If you need assistance or accommodation to complete your application, please contact our recruitment team at recruitment@kidango.org. We’re happy to support you through the process.
Market context
California early childhood mental health roles
In California, early childhood mental health consultant roles are often tied to programs serving children ages 0-5, where demand is shaped by the need for family-centered support and developmental expertise. These roles can be competitive because employers often prefer a master’s degree, California licensure such as LMFT, LCSW, LPCC, or Psychologist, and direct experience with young children and families. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform to save research time, and tailor your application to highlight infant-toddler experience and knowledge of early childhood development.
