Mental Health and Disabilities Specialist

GenerationEd: Job title

Mental Health and Disabilities Specialist

Program

Early Head Start and Head Start Program: Reports to

Mental Health and Disabilities Manager

FLSA Status

Exempt

Last Updated: March 2026

General Description

It is the responsibility of the Mental Health and Disabilities Specialist to be familiar with and implement appropriate strategies to ensure compliance with the Mental Health and Disabilities objectives as stated in Head Start Performance Standards, NC Child Day Care Licensing Laws, and other applicable regulations. The Mental Health and Disabilities Specialist has responsibilities specific to the provision of comprehensive mental health and disability services for enrolled children and families, as well as providing mental health education for children, parents, and staff.

Required Competencies

• All GenerationEd Employees
• Reliability/Dependability
• Problem Solving
• Customer Service
• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Integrity
• Effective Communication
• Initiative and Growth
• Quality and Timeliness of work

• Role Specific
• Actionable Health Guidance
• Effective Case Management
• Objective Documentation

Essential

Duties and Responsibilities

• A. Services
• Support staff in the identification of children with social-emotional support needs and suspected or identified disabilities.
• Provide specialized classroom management support and practice-based coaching to staff regarding working with children with disabilities or social-emotional needs.
• Collaborate with staff to familiarize children and families with mental health or disability services prior to the provision of such services.
• Collaborate with staff to assist families in obtaining information or accessing resources within the community as needed and facilitate the mobilization of these services as indicated.
• Provide parents with information about various disabilities, child and family mental health resources/supports, available mental health, and disability resources, and promote the involvement of parents in all mental health and disability services.
• Consult and collaborate with the Mental Health and Disabilities Manager, program staff, parents, Mental Health Consultants, and service providers regarding appropriate plans, interventions, accommodations/modifications other supports needed for children with identified mental health concerns and children with suspected and identified disabilities.
• Attend various meetings; referral, eligibility, IEP, IFSP, Positive Behavior Support, regularly for children in need of and/or receiving mental health or disability services.
• Provide direct classroom support to staff working with children with challenging behaviors and diagnosed disabilities.

• B. Program Management
• Review and monitor the files of enrolled children to ensure that mental health and disability records are accurate and complete.
• Collaborate with and support/advise staff regarding compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, North Carolina Day Care Licensing Law and other legal mandates as it relates to disability and mental health.
• Provide input for the revision of mental health and disability policies and procedures annually and/or as needed.
• Collaborate with the Mental Health and Disabilities Manager in identifying the special needs of children with suspected and diagnosed disabilities or mental health concerns by sharing information and observations when appropriate in accordance with agency confidentiality policy.
• Maintain a record keeping system for complete, accurate, and up-to-date mental health records, including basic information, observations, results, follow up and treatment actions, progress, and status.
• Ensure a system of monthly monitoring and reporting as required, or more often as needed or requested.
• Work with the Mental Health and Disabilities Manager to ensure the appropriateness of mental health services provided and keep the Mental and Disabilities Manager abreast of activities, plans, challenges, and needs.

• C. Training and Education
• Collaborate with Mental Health and Disabilities Manager and other designated staff to identify and provide workshops, training and materials to staff and parents to enhance awareness and understanding of working with children with disabilities.
• Collaborate with Mental Health and Disabilities Manager and Mental Health Consultant to identify and provide mental health related workshops, training and materials for parents and staff based on identified needs.
• Provide training and orientation to new agency staff and/or interns as needed

• D. Professionalism
• Abide by the NAEYC Code of Ethics.
• Maintain professional standards and courtesy policies, and confidentiality regarding staff and child/family information.
• Be a contributory team member in a positive and productive manner.
• Actively participate in professional development opportunities and on-going self-improvement by continuously identifying areas for professional growth and actively pursuing opportunities for addressing these areas including the following: in-service staff development programs; college courses; reading articles in professional journals and/or books; and attending local, state, regional, and national conferences, and seminars.
• Be willing to present workshops/seminars at conferences and/or write articles for professional magazines and journals.
• Keep abreast of public policies which affect children and families and participate in and support advocacy efforts to secure adoption of local, state, and federal policies which are in the best interest of children and families.
• Seek and maintain memberships in appropriate professional organizations and serve on community advisory committees.
• Demonstrate flexibility to accommodate changes in job responsibilities due to changing program demands as requested by immediate supervisor.

Essential Qualifications

Education Requirements

• Minimum of BS in Early Childhood, Special Education, Child Development, Psychology, or related field with at least 3 years’ experience in an early childhood setting.
• Education, training and/or experience in child mental health, child disabilities or related fields, or the equivalent of experiences and training.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of appropriate understanding of child growth and development and standard management of atypical/challenging behaviors in children.
• Availability of an automobile during all work hours, and valid driver's license

• Physical, Mental and/or Visual Demands
• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods throughout the workday.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 35 pounds.
• Ability to bend, stoop, and perform other physical movements as required for the role.
• Ability to operate computers, telephones, and other standard office equipment.
• Frequent interaction and communication with employees, clients, and visitors.
• While performing the duties of this position, the employee may be exposed to outdoor weather conditions during occasional tasks.
• The noise level in the work environment is typically moderate.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Occasional travel may be required.

GenerationEd is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, including those with disabilities in accordance with ADA.

Acknowledgement

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by the individual assigned to this position and should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It does not state or imply that these are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to the position. The employee may be required to perform other job-related duties. All requirements are subject to change and to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability.

Your signature below acknowledges receipt of this job description, and you were provided with a copy to retain for your records. However, it does not create a binding employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.

I further understand that my employment with GenerationEd is at will.