Early Childhood Mental Health and Wellness Consultant

Originally founded in 1991 as Harlem RBI, DREAM has grown to annually serve more than 2,500 youth across East Harlem and the South Bronx through a network of seven PreK-12, extended-day, extended-year DREAM Charter Schools and community sports-based youth development programs. Through our commitment to rigorous academics, social-emotional learning, deep family and community engagement, and health and wellness, we create lifelong learners who are equipped to fulfill their vision of success in and out of the classroom. We dream big, as well, with an aggressive five-year plan to expand to serve 3,500 students across seven schools—growing our organization’s impact and leveling the playing field for all children. To learn more, visit wearedream.org.

The Early Childhood Mental Health and Wellness (MHW) Consultant will offer virtual and on-site mental health and wellbeing consultations on program specific matters that support a young child’s mental health. The MHW Consultant provides consultation services that build the capacity of adults in a young child’s life to strengthen and support the mental health and social and emotional development of children.

The Mental Health and Wellness Consultant will provide consultation services at the rate of roughly 16-20 hours per month, flexibility based on the needs of the program.

This is a contracted role, not a full-time or part-time employee.

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Program-Wide Wellness Supports

• Utilize data to determine and maintain a caseload of Mental Health and Wellness supports and services that promote a program-wide culture of mental health, prevent mental health challenges from developing, and identify and support children with mental health and social and emotional concerns;

• Work with leadership to determine goals for consultation, create plans for achieving these goals, and provide the necessary resources to support the program’s development;

• Facilitate multidisciplinary coordination and collaboration between mental health and other relevant program services, including education, disability, family engagement, and health services;

• Build community partnerships to facilitate access to additional mental health resources and services, as needed, including through the Health and Mental Health Services Advisory Committee;

• Participate in cross-functional team collaborations in response to specific needs of the program;

• Support the program with implementing practices that limit suspension and prohibit expulsion;

• Participate in meetings, events, and trainings as needed.

Mental Health Consultation Services

• Provide individual, in-person consultations for adults on strategies that build nurturing and responsive relationships and create positive learning environments that promote the mental health and social and emotional development of all children, on at least a monthly basis, with virtual sessions as needed;

• Support families and staff with understanding and appropriately responding to prevalent child mental health concerns;

• Support families and staff with accessing mental health interventions or supports;

• Support the well-being of children and families involved in any significant child health, mental health, or safety incidents;

• Ensure that all children receive adequate screening and appropriate follow up and that families receive referrals about how to access services for potential social, emotional, behavioral, or other mental health concerns.

• Manage time effectively to optimize consultation hours;

• Additional duties related to the area of mental health and wellness, as requested.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, or a similar field, required;

• New York State Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), required;

• 3+ years experience in supporting individuals in mental and behavioral health, required; 

• 2+ years experience in consulting, advising, or coaching adults and programs, required;

• Experience in Early Childhood Mental Health, required;

• Bilingual (Spanish/English), highly preferred;

• Demonstrated expertise in mental health consultation, screening tools, classroom observations, and trauma informed care;

• Knowledgeable about Early Childhood Education health and wellness policies;

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to facilitate effective communications among partners and teams to ensure goals are achieved;

• Ability to interact effectively with people from diverse backgrounds;

• Demonstrated computer literacy skills;

• Experience working remotely in a collaborative, fast-paced environment with cross-functional teams;

• A strong belief in the mission and values of DREAM, including the desire to make a difference in the lives of our students, families, and community.

• A physical exam, fingerprinting, and a federal background check are required for this position.

Working Expectations

• Most working hours will be remote, with some on-site services (at each of our three locations in East Harlem and the South Bronx) as needed.

• Roughly 16-20 hours per month.

Compensation

• $65-75/hour

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DREAM Maxims 

All Kids Can. This Kid Can.

DREAM is Family.

Fun is a Serious Value.

Teamwork Makes the DREAM Work.

Fail. Persist. Exceed.

DREAM Big.

Applying to DREAM

We know applying for a new job can be a daunting process. In addition, studies have shown that historically underrepresented individuals often only apply to roles if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We encourage all applications! You may be just the person we need. If you have any questions about your application or interview process, do not hesitate to ask your recruiter; we are here to help!

DREAM provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws. If accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact your recruiter.

If you are a current DREAM employee, please click here to review our Internal Selection Process before applying.