Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant (Enhanced)

PHMC serves as both a direct service provider to individuals, families, and communities across the region and an intermediary agent—managing large-scale contracts, government and philanthropic partnerships, and multidisciplinary initiatives that require operational sophistication, strategic leadership, and deep mission alignment.

Under the supervision of the Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation and Family Navigation Supervisor, the Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant (EMCH) provides support, education, and resources to PHLpreK Providers as it relates to early childhood mental health. The goals of early childhood mental health consultation are building collaborative relationships to reduce the number of children expelled from childcare due to challenging behaviors, increase the understanding of social and emotional development and its impact on educational success, support childcare and families to use effective strategies that help young children with social-emotional and behavioral concerns, and link providers and families to resources. This position reports to the Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation and Family Navigation Supervisor.

• →Provide one-on-one, child-specific, technical assistance to PHLpreK providers in using the Pyramid Model and deliver interventions in settings that are implementing the PBIS model.
• →Observe the child and classroom environment and provide recommendations to promote healthy social and emotional development.
• →Review screening data for PHLpreK enrolled children, identify red flags, and work in conjunction with the Family Navigator to follow up with PHLpreK providers and families to refer children for evaluation.
• →Deliver child-specific targeted social and emotional supports to promote self-regulation and other behaviors associated with positive outcomes for children 3-5.
• →Coach practitioners and PHL pre-K coaches to increase positive interactions with children and support the positive social-emotional development of children in their classrooms.
• →For children in Early Learning and childcare settings presenting with social-emotional and behavioral concerns, conduct visits with the family in the home or community. These visits will support the family to implement and extend effective strategies to address social-emotional and behavioral concerns in the home.
• →Make recommendations for resources and make direct referrals for Preschool Early Intervention, Behavioral Health, and other supports and services, per the procedure to be established, individually and in collaboration with the Early Childhood Education Navigator.
• →Participate in the development of protocols and policies for enhanced early childhood mental health procedures for PHLpreK.
• →Deliver professional development to support practitioners and coaches in increasing their understanding of early childhood development, developmental screening, positive relationships, positive social-emotional development of their children, and positive behavior management.
• →Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with other agencies addressing the mental health needs of young children.
• →Support practitioners and parents to access community resources.
• →Complete required paperwork and service documentation in case files and the PHLpreK database.
• →Enter ECMH-related data and submit reports as requested by OCF, PHLpreK, and DBHIDS leadership.
• →Participate in parent meetings at PHLpreK sites to discuss services and potential benefits to child and family.
• →Participate in state and local meetings regarding issues of early childhood mental health.
• →Engage in ongoing professional development that supports continuous quality improvement, relevant translation of research to practice, and knowledge of early childhood mental health practices.
• →All other duties as assigned.

The ECMH Consultant reports to and is supervised by the Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation and Family Navigation Supervisor.

• Substantial knowledge of child development, developmentally appropriate practice, working with children in groups, and mental health issues.
• Knowledge of underlying concepts of social-emotional development, screening and assessment, evidence-based strategies for mental health promotion and prevention, strengths-based practices, community resources, and family systems.
• Demonstrated ability to work in school or classroom settings.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and in the community.
• Ability to build trusting, effective working relationships with providers, families, and coaches.
• Demonstrated experience working with culturally diverse populations.
• Ability to travel locally, regionally, and statewide as needed.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, competent interpersonal skills, and strong organizational skills.

• Bachelor’s degree in Child Development, Social Work, Psychology, or Early Childhood Education or related degree. Specialized training and experience in early childhood education, early intervention, young child social-emotional development, special education, mental health, and social work. Master’s degree preferred.
• Infant Toddler Mental Health Certificate or equivalent preferred, or an established Evidence-Based Practice for social-emotional or behavioral concerns.
• Engagement with a family member who has experienced I/T, preschool EI, or behavioral health is a plus.
• At least three years of post-degree experience, including child mental health, a related human service field, or an early childhood setting.
• Certified Professional Development & Technical Assistance instructor through the PA Quality Assurance System (PQAS) or ability to become certified within 90 days.

This position includes the need to attend weekend, evening, and early morning meetings to accommodate family schedules and childcare meeting or training schedules.