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Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) envisions a world where children are safe, families are strong and communities are vibrant.
LSF is looking for a talented Mental Health Treatment Counselor who wants to make an impact in the lives of others.
This role is a full time role working Monday through Friday.
Purpose & Impact:
The Mental Health Treatment Counselor is responsible for providing early childhood mental health support to Head Start staff, children, and families. Provide a broad range of services, including mental health support in classrooms; training and coaching staff; screening, assessment and referral services; and providing parent trainings. 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 support plans.
- Conduct child observations and review screenings/assessments of the social-emotional and mental health of children birth to five years old with parents, teaching staff, site supervisors and mental health staff.
- Meet with classroom teams to review classroom observations and develop and implement support plans as needed.
- Provide child development information related to social-emotional development and mental health staff.
- Provide program-specific consultation and coaching with teaching staff and management to address program- related issues impacting implementation of social-development practices in early care and education settings.
- Develop and/or assist staff to develop support plans which consist of goals, objectives, treatment modalities for children receiving mental 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 and provide parent trainings on mental health issues.
- Coordinate and deliver staff trainings related to mental health issues at least once per quarter.
- Assist with supporting and monitoring Mental Health Intern students.
- Provide support and guidance to Behavior Program Specialists, Behavior Support Specialist or other subordinates as assigned.
- Provides input for performance appraisal and make recommendations for professional development opportunities.
- 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 program, policy, and procedure.
- 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.
- Participate in the referral and tracking process of children and families to therapeutic and other services within the community.
- Conduct home visits (up to 5% of role) to support the mental health needs of families and children.
- Maintain and update client charts, data and other required documentation in ChildPlus.
- Utilize electronic database and files to document, track and report mental health outcomes.
- 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 HIPAA standards and established program 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.
Other Functions:
Note: The duties above are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
Depending on assigned area of responsibility, incumbents in the position may perform some or all of the activities described above.
Physical Requirements:
Must be able to lift at least 45 pounds. Reasonable accommodation may be made for otherwise qualified persons with disabilities.
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, Mental Health Counseling, or Marriage and Family Therapy (LCSW, LMHC, LMFT) preferred. A provisional license of Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern, Registered Clinical Social Work Intern, or Registered Marriage and Family Therapy Intern may also be accepted.
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 age 0-5 and their families. Must have the ability to identify special needs children. Experience formulating and writing assessments, support plans 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 and drug screening prior to hiring.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Demonstrated understanding of infant and early childhood mental health issues related to young children ages 0-5.
- Demonstrated understanding of delivering culturally competent services.
- Experience working with children with backgrounds in trauma and knowledge of trauma informed care.
- 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, and infant mental health.
- Ability to build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with service providers and families.
- 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 plan, organize, and supervise the work of others in areas of Mental Health and Child Behavior.
- Ability to interpret an extensive variety of instructions.
- 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).
Other:
Must demonstrate sensitivity to our service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs. Must be capable of being flexible and willing to see families in clinical or community settings such as in the home, classroom, or other non-traditional settings. Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to travel to various locations.
Principal Accountabilities:
- Team player with co-workers and central service office staff.
- Cost effective program operations.
- Adherence to LSF and Head Start/Early Head Start policies and management practices.
- Effective leadership skills.
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
- Telehealth (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)
- Note: Head Start employees paid time off and holiday schedule may differ
- 403(b) Retirement plan with 3% discretionary employer match OR 3% student loan repayment reimbursement
- Tuition reimbursement
LSF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
Lutheran Services Florida is mandated to perform background screenings for employment in accordance with the Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse as outlined in Section 435.12, Florida Statutes. Additionally, pursuant to House Bill 531 (2025), Lutheran Services Florida must ensure that all job vacancy postings and advertisements include a clear and conspicuous link to the AHCA Clearinghouse website and its requirements. For more information on background screening requirements please visit: https://info.flclearinghouse.com
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
