Southgate, MI
Full-Time Regular
MSW

As a recognized leader in our field, The Guidance Center provides a broad range of services that have helped children, adults and families unlock potential and build better lives for more than 60 years. With 25 programs we offer treatment, prevention, growth and education services to more than 23,000 people annually. Together we: Nurture development. Foster resilience. Cultivate well-being.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Mental Health Specialist to join our team of talented professionals.

As a Mental Health Specialist, you will provide a comprehensive mental health program to children and families. Build a collaborative relationship between children, families and staff and the community to enhance awareness and understanding of mental wellness. Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently both verbally and in writing. Demonstrated ability to work with low income families and persons of different ethnic, cultural and social backgrounds.

Qualifications: Master Degree in Social Work from an accredited university or college. One year of experience in working in mental health related program with young children and families. License or credential in Mental Health required.

Must have the following abilities:

  1. Management skills, excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
  2. Excellent organizational skills. Additional requirements include a nonjudgmental approach that reflects cultural competency and sensitivity to the unique needs and diverse experiences of our staff members and the programs they represent
  3. To appropriately handle crisis situations
Specific responsibilities include:
  • Coordinate and implement classroom observations, screenings, evaluations and intervention.
  • Complete regular and consistent Mental Health observations on identified children ages 0-5 deemed “at risk” at all centers to enable timely and effective identification of interventions and concerns by families and staff.
  • Solicit teachers’ information, observations and concerns about children’ mental health. Discuss and identify with teachers appropriate responses to children’s behavior.
  • Discuss with parents their child’s behavior and development, including separation, attachment and anxiety concerns. Observe interactions of EHS students and parents and assist teachers with sharing information with parent regarding infants/toddlers growth and development
  • Design and implement program practices and responses to the identified behavioral and mental health concerns of individual children or groups of children in coordination with all site staff and content area specialist.
  • Solicit parental information, observation and concerns about their child’s mental health. Provide intervention with distressed EHS and HS students and their families.
  • Identify, develop plan and/or collaborate with other individuals or agencies/programs, if needed, in the treatments of disorders of infancy, delays, disabilities, parental mental illness and family dysfunction.
  • Provide opportunities for children, parents and staff to learn about and participate in mental wellness activities.
  • Develop a regular schedule of on-site mental health consultations involving staff and parents.
  • Discuss and identify with parents appropriate response to their child’s
  • Promote discussions and education on how to strengthen, nurture and provide supportive environments and relations in the home and at EHS/HS program.
  • Promote children’s mental wellness by providing group and individual staffing meeting as well as parent education trainings.
  • Develop and implement training on how to assess a child’s mental health strengths and needs.
  • Work cooperatively with other service area specialist, site leaders and site staff in a team effort to implement the programs philosophy and goals.
  • Implement the goals, policies and activities to meet the mental health objectives as outlined in the Head Start Performance standards.
  • Provide referrals for children and families to appropriate mental health services
  • Attend training opportunities and administrative staff meetings
  • Make recommendations on resources for mental health education for staff, children and families

The Guidance believes that our team members are our most valuable resources, and we invest in them accordingly. We offer our employees a competitive salary, flexible scheduling opportunities, a team-oriented work environment and much more! If you are interested in becoming part of our world-class team, please submit your resume on-line at www.guidance-center.org/careers.

The Guidance Center is an Equal Employment Opportunity



Click here to apply online