Mental Health Professional

Position type: Full time, exempt, 10 Month 

Reporting & Collaboration​

• Direct Manager: Mental Health Manager

• Key Collaborators:

• School Leaders

• Special Education Case Managers

• Behavior Climate Specialists

• Teachers and Instructional Staff

• Families and External Mental Health Partners

Autonomy & Decision Making​

The Mental Health Professional exercises professional judgment in:

• Designing and delivering therapeutic interventions aligned to student needs

• Monitoring progress toward IEP counseling goals

• Conducting risk and safety assessments

• Determining appropriate clinical supports and referrals

• Recommending Tier 3 interventions for students experiencing significant behavioral or emotional challenges

Inputs: What will I be doing in my day to day work?

IEP Mental Health Service Delivery

• Deliver all IEP-mandated counseling and behavioral support services with fidelity

• Maintain timely and accurate documentation of services in SpedTrack and SCUTA.

• Provide individual and small group counseling aligned to IEP goals.

• Participate in IEP meetings and collaborate with special education teams on student support strategies.

Tier 3 Behavioral & Mental Health Intervention

• Provide clinical support for students experiencing significant behavioral or emotional challenges.

• Implement evidence-based therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioral strategies, trauma-informed interventions, and solution-focused counseling.

• Support the development and monitoring of Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) for students with intensive behavioral needs.

CARE Team / MTSS Coordination

• Coordinate or support CARE/MTSS processes for students requiring intensive interventions.

• Facilitate structured problem-solving meetings to identify barriers to student success.

• Monitor progress of Tier 3 interventions and adjust supports as needed.

Section 504 Coordination 

• Support the development and monitoring of Section 504 plans 

• Collaborate with teachers and families to ensure accommodations are implemented with fidelity.

• Maintain documentation and compliance with federal guidelines.

McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison Responsibilities

• Serve as the school’s McKinney-Vento liaison, ensuring students experiencing homelessness are identified and supported in accordance with federal law.

• Ensure students experiencing homelessness receive immediate enrollment protections and equitable access to school services.

• Coordinate supports such as transportation, academic access, and participation in school programs.

• Maintain required documentation and ensure compliance with McKinney-Vento federal requirements.

• Partner with families and community organizations to connect students with housing, social service, and community resources.

Crisis Response & Risk Assessment

• Provide crisis intervention and mental health risk assessments when necessary.

• Support school teams in responding to acute student mental health concerns.

• Coordinate with families and community agencies when additional supports is required.

• Family & Community Partnership

• Maintain consistent communication with families regarding student progress and needs.

• Connect families with community resources and external service providers when appropriate.

• Collaborate with external agencies to ensure coordinated support for students 

Outcomes: What will I be evaluated on?

Service Delivery

• IEP counseling minutes delivered with fidelity and compliance.

Student Impact

• Improved behavioral and social-emotional outcomes for students receiving Tier 3 supports.

Compliance

• Accurate and timely documentation of counseling services and intervention progress.

Systems Coordination

• Effective CARE/MTSS coordination for students with intensive needs.

• Effective implementation and monitoring of 504 accommodations

Student Access & Equity

• Students experiencing homelessness are identified and supported in compliance with McKinney-Vento requirements.

• Barriers to enrollment, attendance, and participation are minimized through coordinated school and community supports.

What skills should I already bring, i.e., what should I already have a track record around?

• Successful Mental Health Professionals demonstrate:

• Expertise in evidence-based mental health and behavioral interventions

• Strong knowledge of special education counseling services and compliance requirements

• Ability to conduct risk assessments and crisis intervention

• Experience supporting students with trauma, behavioral challenges, and emotional regulation needs

• Strong facilitation skills for multidisciplinary problem-solving teams

• Knowledge of McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act requirements

• Excellent documentation, organization, and time management skills

• Ability to build strong relationships with students, families, and school staff