Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Assist grantees to develop and to implement agreements with those responsible for assuring special education and mental health services to preschool children at local and state levels. Support grantee and families’ efforts to secure ongoing services.

• Build new partnerships with agencies to bring additional resources to grantees and families. Build partnerships with the local state agencies and the Senior Early Childhood Associate of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, University Affiliated Programs, and Developmental Disabilities Councils. Establish and maintain linkages among the State Mental Health Agencies.

• Support federal efforts to promote inclusion of children with disabilities and children with challenging behaviors.

• Assist grantees to address disabilities and mental deficiencies successfully and to implement Quality Improvement Plans. Collect, maintain, and disseminate training materials and resources to support disabilities and mental health services for children, families, and staff.

• Provide progress reports.

• Support locally based training and technical assistance specialists.

• Analyze Head Start Program Information Report (PIR) data to determine areas for improvement and recommendations for T/TA strategies to address disabilities and mental health needs.

• Provide on-going information relevant to the Head Start Program areas and other information at the direction of the project director via posting on the Web site, through email, mail, fax and phone.

• Design, plan and conduct relevant training sessions at conferences, seminars, and workshops for small and large groups.

• Develop, write, and submit articles, papers and workshops for presentation at national conferences as well as any ACYF/HSB functions.

• Develop mental health partnerships that foster wellness.

• Develop and disseminate prevention strategies that will decrease stress with children, families, and staff.

• Increase awareness and knowledge of epidemic issues such as obesity, autism, diabetes, asthma, fetal alcohol syndrome and other childhood related trauma.

• Perform other supervisor assigned annual work plan related job responsibilities and activities in a timely and professional manner.

• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Director.

Specific Knowledge Requirements:

• . Experience with developing and reviewing local and state interagency agreement relevant to serving children with disabilities and mental health.

• Experience applying federal and state standards in area of serving children with disabilities birth to five.

• Experience with local, state, or regional partnership efforts.

• Experience applying federal and state standards in area of mental health.

• Understanding of Early Care and Education, including relevant laws, regulations, and policies.

• Experience with people who have a wide range of expertise and experience.

• Experience in working with people from diverse cultures, low-income and high-risk children and families.

Special Requirements:

This job requires US Citizenship.
This job will require a criminal background check.

• Strong organizational skills, including task and time management.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in diverse and team-oriented environment essential.
• Excellent written/oral language skills
• Excellent computer skills.
• Commitment to diversity and customer service as demonstrated by communication and partnership development skills.
• Ability to locate and select appropriate methodologies, guidelines and procedures for performing the work.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service.
• Able to work well with diverse groups of individuals and groups
• Ability to adapt to a fast-changing and fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks, coordinate activities in multiple locations and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.