JCEO is a private, not-for-profit human service agency that serves the residents of Clinton and Franklin Counties in New York State. All programs are based on JCEO's mission to alleviate poverty through practical, timely, and innovative services that emphasize and develop problem-solving skills for people.

Full time, Non-Exempt Position
Location: On Site
Hourly Rate of Pay: $23.91

BENEFITS

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Qualifying Employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Tuition Assistance 
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employer Paid Life Insurance
• 401K Retirement Plan (Eligible after One Year of Employment)
• North Country Chamber of Commerce Discounts

SUMMARY

• Provides health services management supervision and interfaces with Mental health, special services and health professional/consultants;
• Collaborates with community agencies to serve clients;
• Plans or implements health intervention with appropriate agencies/professionals;
• Observes in classrooms, provides staff support in behavior management, and provides mental health education, training and consultation to staff and parents;
• Responsible for implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and other special education provisions;
• Works with Health Services Specialist, teachers, parents, local education agencies, and community agencies in planning and program development, obtaining professional diagnoses and assessments of individuals, and involved in developing Health, Individual Education or Family Service Plans;
• Maintains records and writes reports.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Carries out goals, policies and activities designed to implement objectives and performance standards.
• Plan, develop, and administer the Health, Disabilities and Mental Health program service area, ensuring an integrated and comprehensive system of services for children and their families.
• Works with the Health Services Specialist to be responsible and accountable for developing and monitoring individual dental, nutrition, and health services needs of children and their families.
• Works with the Health Services Specialist to be responsible and accountable for assuring families have a source of health care and receive all appropriate time sensitive screenings.
• Provide training and guidance to staff, parents, and community on a variety of pertinent topics in the area of disabilities and mental health.
• Ensures annual screenings are conducted and on-going monitoring, tracking, follow-up and analysis of disabilities and mental health services.
• Maintains and/or supervises record keeping and reporting systems, including service area plan, schedules, timelines, policies and procedures for health disabilities and mental health services in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards and applicable laws and regulations.
• Ensure coordination of communication with staff, parents, program consultants and community to enhance services to children and families.
• Serves as a liaison between service agencies and parents. Advocates for necessary services for children suspect of having a disability (including referral and evaluations and follow up of recommended services.) Acts as a case manager for children with disabilities and attends meetings as appropriate.
• Supervise and oversee work tasks and activities within the Health, Disabilities, and Mental Health Services to ensure the full delivery of integrated service.
• Assists in the recruitment and selection of children and ensures that those who are in need of mental health and/or disability services receive necessary evaluations and appropriate placement or referral.
• Reviews applications and Partnership Agreements and notes pertinent medical and family history of each child so appropriate services can be made available.
• Receives referrals on all children and parents who may need health, mental health, or disability services and follows up with appropriate staff members. Works closely with center teams in development and implementation of IEP service plans for children.
• Assure that there is a written consent from the parent for special mental health services which include the following; Name of the child, Name of the service provider, a description of the services to be provided and a date the form was signed.  Obtains a diagnostic report and confirmation of each disability.
• Participates in center team meetings and organizes case conferences when necessary.
• Conducts site visits for observations and develops a program designed to serve the health, mental health, and disabilities service needs and home visits of children and families. Connects children with Committee on Pre School Education and other agencies as needed to receive needed services prior to school.
• Set up an annual orientation meeting with parents/PC to explain the mental health/disabilities portion of the program. Recruits interested parents to develop and evaluate the mental health/disabilities program.
• Responsible for organizing and leading mental health advisory.
• Provide training for staff, parents and volunteers as appropriate. Assist Center staff in developing an on-going education in mental health for parents and evaluating the effectiveness of the parent mental health education program.
• Devise an on-going plan for providing parent support groups to meet the needs of those parents participating.
• Devise and maintain a plan with the Service Area Coordinators and Health Services Specialist to work closely with center staff and parents to design an educational program for each child based on their developmental level and in training staff to be able to do such program planning.
• Conducts site visits and center visits as appropriate.
• Attends all required training.
• Complies with all health and safety regulations.
• Will develop a process for securing non-federal share for the health program services.
• Performs all duties in a manner consistent with the mission and goals of Joint Council for Economic Opportunity of Clinton and Franklin Counties, Inc.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Supervises the Health Service Specialist.

QUALIFICATIONS 
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's degree in School Psychology or Counseling Psychology, specializing in Early Childhood.  Experience in Special Education helpful, or Social Work or related field. A specialization in Early Childhood Education is preferred, with 2 years related experience. Supervision experience helpful.

LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read and understand Committee on Preschool Education (CPSE) evaluations, and legal documents.  Ability to respond to common inquiries from clients and community agencies.  Ability to effectively present information to top management and CPSE committees.

REASONING ABILITY
Ability to apply principles of logical thinking.

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.  The employee frequently is required to walk and sit.  The employee is occasionally required to stand; use hands, reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT 
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.

JCEO reserves the right to revise or change job duties or responsibilities as the need arises. 

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
JCEO is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and as such affirms the right of every person to participate in all aspects of employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic. If you are interested in applying for employment and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply for a posted position, contact our Human Resources department at 518-561-6310 or via email at hr@jceo.org.