Mental Health Consultant - AZSteps Expulsion Prevention

A positive future for every child!

Southwest Human Development is Arizona’s largest nonprofit dedicated to early childhood development. The first five years of life are the most critical in a child’s development. At Southwest Human Development, our services improve lives and help families by supporting young children and their caregivers during this important time. We offer over 40 programs and services to more than 140,000 children.

Your skills, experience, and passion are needed at one of the nation’s largest nonprofits dedicated to early childhood development. Join our team and experience a long-term career that brings joy and satisfaction in knowing you make a difference. 

Why choose us?

• You will be rewarded with benefits, including day one zero contribution health plan options, wellness programming, and generous paid time off.
• You will benefit from high-quality paid training to promote professional growth and development.
• You will enjoy a supportive and collaborative work environment.

Job Title: Mental Health Consultant - AZSteps Expulsion Prevention

We are seeking to hire experienced mental health or early childhood education professionals who are looking for an expanded role as a Mental Health Resource Consultant to provide consultation services within childcare and education settings. Arizona Statewide Training and Technical Assistance for Expulsion Prevention (AZ STEPS) provides support and resources to childcare providers and the families of enrolled children. This role will train and provide technical assistance on expulsion prevention, as well as consultation in early childhood education (ECE) to build the capacity of those caring for young children in Department of Economic Security (DES) contracted childcare settings. You will work to address children's social and emotional development needs in childcare focusing on providing early intervention and prevention services about expulsion prevention to improve the emotional well-being, coping skills, general adaptive functioning, and social competence of children and teachers.

Duties Include:

• Engage in relationship-based work that supports healthy caregiver-child attachment relationships and encourages responsive, nurturing learning environments.
• Regularly meet with programs on assigned caseload.
• Write reports based on caseload interactions within the program's deadlines.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to linguistic, cultural, social, economic, individual, and role differences among persons and families served.
• Understand and meet the underlying needs that often cause challenging behaviors through online and in-person training and consultation that covers behavior, trauma, and social-emotional development for families and caregivers.
• Help reduce exclusionary practices and promote social-emotional development to prevent expulsion.
• Provide short-term mental health consultation for families, teachers, and administrators to help meet the child's needs.

Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree in early childhood education, social work, counseling, psychology, or a related field is required.
• A licensable master's degree in early childhood education, social work, counseling, psychology, or a related field is preferred.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is preferred
• Experience working with young children in classroom or group settings.
• Knowledge and utilization of attachment theory, trauma-informed approach, and adult mental health principles are preferred.
• Must have reliable transportation
• A valid driver's license and current car insurance
• A valid Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card OR must qualify for a valid Arizona Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card is required.