INFANT AND EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTANT

Salary: $70k - $75k DOE

INFANT AND EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTANT

Organization Summary

CAIRO, the Center for African Immigrants and Refugees Organization, is a bastion for African refugees and immigrant families in Oregon and central Minnesota, dedicated to forging paths to equity and social justice. We are a non-profit, service-driven organization steadfast in its mission to advocate for, support, and enable the growth and empowerment of African communities through a comprehensive array of programs and initiatives. Our work is rooted in the understanding that equitable access to education, health services, workforce development, and housing are pivotal to the prosperity of our immigrant and refugee families and communities.

Position Summary

Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) Consultation is an indirect, multilevel service in which consultants partner with the adults in young childrens lives to build their capacity to foster healthy social-emotional development.[1] In this program, consultants partner with and support early childhood care and education providers, in center- and home-based settings.

IECMH Consultants receive specialized training to provide IECMH consultation through an evidence-based framework. This projects broad goals include reducing rates of suspension/expulsion from ECE settings, and more specifically to reduce race disparities in the rates of suspension/expulsion. Therefore, this position will require a strong commitment to equity, anti-bias, and anti-racist practices. Culturally specific and culturally responsive services are important to the success of the program. Consultants whose race, ethnicity, culture, and/or language are representative of the community served are strongly encouraged to apply.

The IECMH Consultant will work with their peers from CAIRO, and Black Parent Initiative, as well as Technical Assistance from Multnomah County CCR&R to serve licensed childcare centers, licensed group childcare homes, registered family childcare homes, childcare aides, and relative care providers in Multnomah County. The Consultant will develop collaborative relationships with parents, professionals, and organizations in the community who also serve infants, young children, and families. The IECMH Consultant will function as part of the CAIRO Workforce Development team, under the supervision of the Director of Workforce Development. Driving required.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Providing relationship-based, preventive interventions to promote the mental health of infants and young children and address behaviors that put them at risk of suspension/expulsion from early learning and childcare settings.
2. Supporting ongoing communication with teachers/providers about early relational health and/or developmental concerns related to infants and young children.
3. Developing written intervention strategies and using a collaborative approach to assist providers with implementing strategies that promote infants and young childrens optimal social-emotional development.
4. Using independent judgment and discretion in setting daily priorities to complete tasks.
5. Demonstrating humility and sensitivity to racial, linguistic, cultural, social, economic, individual, and role differences between consultant and provider and between provider and the infant/young child & family.
6. Bringing observations and questions to supervision.
7. Adhering to all data and program requirements.
8. Making referrals for children and their families to appropriate outside services, as necessary.
9. When appropriate, providing group and individual training on overall social and emotional wellness, infant and early childhood development, trauma-informed care, attachment, self-care, and other related topics.

REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION

• 
  Masters degree preferred (mental health, early childhood education, early childhood development, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech & language pathologist, or other related discipline)

OR

• 
  Bachelors degree in early childhood development, social work, or psychology plus at least 2 years of experience in a related infant/early childhood field
• 
  Individuals with no degree or an associates degree and at least two years experience in Infant and early childhood education will be considered.

CREDENTIAL

• 
  Endorsed (IMH-E or ECMH-E) as Family Associate or Family Specialist or willingness to earn Endorsement as a Family Specialist within 2 years of hire (fees and time to complete application are covered)

TRAINING

• 
  All applicants will be offered and must be willing to complete advanced training about IECMH Consultation (time and fees covered)
• 
  Applicants with a mental health background will receive additional training in early childhood development and early childhood education
• 
  Applicants with a background in early childhood development or early childhood education will receive additional training in mental health

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Bilingual in English and either Mandarin, Vietnamese, Arabic, Somali or Spanish is highly preferred.
• Knowledge about inclusive practices in early childhood education for children with disabilities is highly preferred
• Experience working children with IFSPs, developmental disabilities or medical needs is highly preferred
• 
  Capacity for humility, empathy, curiosity, and flexibility
• 
  Ability to work at multiple levels (groups and individuals; providers and families)
• 
  Effective communication skills in English and at least one other language (verbal and written)
• 
  Comfort and skill in engaging in conversations about racism, bias, and equity
• 
  Capacity to foster strong professional relationships
• 
  Current drivers license

Salary: $60,000 - $73,000 annually

Benefits

• 16 days of accrued Paid Time Off.
• 5 Days of accrued sick leave
• Up to 16 paid company holidays.
• 100% employer paid premiums for employee only medical and dental insurance
• Low-Cost Vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan with an up to 3% employer match.

Work Environment/Location

• Location: Portland, OR, Stark Street office (2 days a week, remote option 3 days per week)
• The work environment will vary depending on the specific needs of the program but may include:
  • Public events
  • 
    Office and virtual platforms
  • 
    Teleworking and working in an office environment

• This position requires frequent use of a keyboard, monitor, mouse, telephone, and/or headset.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, and occasionally lift up to 20 pounds.

[1] Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs Innovation Hub: IECMH Consultation as a Best Practice