Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) envisions a world where children are safe, families are strong, and communities are vibrant.
LSF is looking for a talented Licensed Mental Health Counselorwho wants to make an impact in the lives of others.
Scheduled hours are Monday - Friday 8:00am-5:00pm!
This role offers a $2500 sign on bonus!
Purpose & Impact:
The purpose of the Licensed Mental Health Counselor is to be responsible for providing early childhood mental health consultation support to Head Start staff, children and families. Provides a broad range of services, including mental health consultation in classrooms and through home visits; training and coaching staff; screening, assessment and referral services; promotion and marketing of group services; and providing parent training. This individual will also collect data, maintain records and support compliance in all facets of Head Start Performance Standards and state regulations. Participate in the HS/EHS Quality Assurance efforts.
Essential Functions:
- Visit each classroom at least twice a year to conduct classroom observations, document/report recommendations, and develop and implement a service plan.
- Conduct child observations and review screenings/assessments of the social, emotional and development of children birth to five years old or referred for services with parents, teaching staff, site supervisors and other mental health professionals.
- Meet with classroom teams to review classroom observations and develop and implement service plans as needed.
- Provide child development information related to social-emotional development and mental health.
- Provide program-specific consultation and coaching with teaching staff and management to address system program-related issues impacting the implementation of social-development practices in early care and education settings.
- Develop service plans which consist of goals, objectives, treatment modalities for children receiving mental health or behavior health support services.
- Provide direct counseling services as needed to the children and families enrolled in Head Start/Early Head Start.
- Provide guidance and model developmentally appropriate activities for children and effective ways to work with and support young children.
- Recruit parents for parent training, coordinating and providing parent and staff training on mental health issues.
- Coordinate and deliver staff training related to mental health issues at least once per quarter.
- Supervise and monitor Mental Health Intern students.
- Attend and facilitate meetings to support classroom staff's ability to provide inclusive care to children with developmental, behavioral or emotional challenges.
- Participate in the development and implementation of mental health programs and policy.
- Assist in the development and monitoring of Mental Health partnership agreements and contracts.
- Conduct standardized developmental, behavioral, and/or social-emotional screens and assessments for individual children as assigned or referred for consultation providing child and family referral and follow-up to community services.
- Participate in the referral and tracking process of children and families to therapeutic and other services within the community.
- Conduct home visits as needed to support the mental health needs of families and children.
- Maintain and update client charts, data and other required documentation in Child Plus.
- Utilize electronic databases and files to document, track and report mental health outcomes.
- Comply with HIPPA standards and program confidentiality standards.
- Responsible for maintaining state licensure requirements through the Florida Board.
- Report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect in accordance with regulations and policy.
- Participates in management meetings as required; works closely with members of the management team to plan, problem-solve and implement continuous improvement plans as needed.
- Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to Head Start/Early Head Start children, families, and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures.
- Attends all workshops and meetings as deemed necessary by the supervisor.
- Attends all required staff and parent meetings and activities.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education: Master's degree in social work, Mental Health, Marriage and Family Counseling, Human Services or related field from an accredited college or university.
License/Certification: A current State of Florida clinical license in Social Work or Mental Health Counseling or Marriage and Family Counseling (LCSW, LMHC, LMFT) required.
Experience: At least three years of experience providing mental health services in a social services environment. Experience working with community partners and utilizing comprehensive record-keeping systems. Clinical experience working with young children aged 0-5 and their families. Must have the ability to identify special needs children. Experience formulating and writing assessments, support plans and service plans, preferable for young children. Experience with evidence-based practices and curricula to promote early childhood mental health is desirable.
Bilingual preferred: English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the local area. Also required: Certification in First Aid and CPR within six months of the date assigned to this position; and successful completion of a Level II background screening, local criminal record check, and drug screening prior to hiring.
Physical Requirements: Must be able to lift at least 45 pounds. Reasonable accommodation may be made for otherwise qualified persons with disabilities.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Demonstrated understanding of infant and early childhood mental health. Knowledge of human development and health.
- Demonstrated understanding of differences in mental health services and concepts across cultures.
- Demonstrated experience with clinical documentation.
- Strong cultural sensitivity with significant experience working within diverse communities.
- Knowledge of social services and health services available in the area.
- Knowledge of human behavior, child development, social problems, family dynamics, infant mental health, trauma and community resources.
- Ability to build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with service providers and families.
- Knowledge of computer data entry processes.
- Knowledge of family-centered practices.
- Knowledge of Head Start is desirable.
- Ability to communicate ideas and instructions orally and in writing.
- Ability to write reports and business correspondence.
- Ability to speak before groups of individuals, such as Committees and Staff meetings.
- Ability to calculate amounts by adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing and figuring percentages.
- Ability to plan, organize, and supervise work of others in areas of Social Work, Mental Health, Marriage and Family Counseling, and Human Services.
- Ability to interpret an extensive variety of instructions.
- Ability to interpret laws, regulations, and policies particular in regard to the state and federal requirements.
- Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
- Ability to make recommendations and develop implementation strategies.
- Computer skills, including MS Office Suite (Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
Why work for LSF?
LSF offers 60 programs across the state of Florida serving a wide range of populations in need. Mission Driven staff members become part of the LSF community while transforming the lives of those in need. Our staff additionally find growth opportunities as they explore areas of interest within the organization.
Amazing benefits package including:
- Medical, Dental and Vision
- Teladoc (24/7 online access to doctors)
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Employer paid life insurance (1X salary)
- 13 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday
- Generous PTO policy (starting at 16 working days a year)
- 403(b) Retirement plan with 3% discretionary employer match OR 3% student loan repayment reimbursement
- Tuition reimbursement
Lutheran Services Florida embraces diversity, equity and inclusion in all business practices. LSF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
