Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Mentor
(Northern Region, Southern Region)
Wisconsin Alliance for Infant Mental Health (WI-AIMH) promotes the healthy social and emotional development of Wisconsin children from birth through age 5. We aim for all Wisconsin infants and young children to reach their fullest potential through nurturing and consistent relationships within the context of family, community and culture.
Position Summary:
The Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) Mentor provides IECMH consultation services as part of the Healthy Minds Health Children (HMHC) initiative. The Mentor provides leadership, training, and support to IECMH Consultants within a designated state region. There are two positions available: one in the Southern Region and one in the Northern Region of Wisconsin. The Mentor must be a member of the regional community in which they are applying.
The IECMHC Mentor plays a critical role in the success of the HMHC initiative in Wisconsin by serving as a liaison between the state IECMHC project team and provision of IECMHC services at the local level. Each Mentor brings a deep understanding of their region’s strengths, needs, and opportunities; and will use that knowledge to ensure strong partnerships, diverse representation, inclusionary practices, and high-quality supportive services. The IECMHC Mentor has experience providing clinical IMH dyadic treatment, IECMH Consultation and Reflective Supervision or Consultation. The Mentor’s practice is strongly anchored in the Consultative Stance as well as relational, equity-informed, and trauma-informed principles of practice. Mentors will routinely interface with the Consultation Team, the Evaluation and Continuous Quality Improvement team, as well as other IECMHC Mentors to ensure strong connections and collaboration and coordination across all domains of the project.
Responsibilities:
Provide development, oversight, and support to Consultants
Support the HMHC initiative
Provide IECMHC services, if needed, and actively participate in community outreach and engagement
Provide administrative support
Provide Development, Oversight, and Support to Consultants
Work in partnership with WI-AIMH staff and other IECMHC/HMHC Mentors to identify and deliver foundational and ongoing professional development
Serve as the main point of contact and support for new Consultants within designated regional area
Work closely with each Consultant in completing initial training and onboarding, self-assessment, shadowing, initiating services, and professional development goal setting
Ensure that each Consultant is adequately prepared to deliver high quality IECMHC services anchored in best practices, the Consultative Stance, the Diversity-Informed Tenets, and IECMHC’s fidelity model
Assign cases and monitor IECMHC caseloads in partnership with Consultants and Consultants’ agency supervisors
Provide weekly, individual and group reflective supervision to the team of Consultants within designated regional area
Use supervision techniques demonstrating an understanding of the intersection of race, class, gender, sexuality, and other hierarchies and the structures that are effective in fostering trust, creativity, autonomy and high-quality services
Work closely with each Consultant and their agency supervisor in building and strengthening IECMHC competency development and creating a professional development plan
Maintain routine communication with Consultants’ direct supervisors (when applicable) to ensure that Wisconsin Alliance for Infant Mental Health Wisconsin Alliance for Infant Mental Health Consultant time, workload and professional development needs are well coordinated and that any barriers to work performed are identified and addressed in a timely manner
Assess stress and burnout levels of staff, encouraging self-care and advocating for a healthy, productive work environment
Support the HMHC Initiative
Represent the HMHC initiative, it’s competencies, standards, and interests in the community
Attend and participates in leadership and project team meetings; serve on workgroups and/or committees as assigned
Attend and participate in scheduled supervision, mentor meetings, and professional development
Maintains regular and routine communication with the IECMHC Program and Project Manager and other Mentors
Work closely with WI-AIMH staff and other HMHC staff to create, revise, and provide IECMHC related training and support
Collaborate with WI-AIMH staff and other Mentors to cultivate and participate in statewide opportunities to inform or educate community members and stakeholders on IMH, IECMHC and the HMHC initiative (i.e. conferences, state events)
In collaboration with project team members, develop and modify policies and procedures to support clear model fidelity and successful IECMHC implementation and sustainability
Partner with project team to trouble-shoot implementation issues, document service needs and gaps, and identify areas for further study through process improvement
Participate in CQI efforts; serve a critical role in supporting efficiencies, excellence in training and service delivery, and community connection
Work in partnership with WI-AIMH staff and other IECMHC Mentors to:
Identify, engage and recruit a diverse cadre of potential IECMH Consultant candidates
Introduce students and other MH professionals to the field of IMH; connect professionals new to IMH to training and professional development opportunities
Link the Professional Development Manager to potential connections through colleges, universities or other schools or programs
Provide IECMHC Services (if needed) and Actively Participate in Community Outreach and Engagement
Provide IECMHC Services at the child, classroom/home, programmatic, and community levels as outlined in the HMHC Consultant Position Description as needed
Establish and maintain strong working relationships with community partners; set the tone and foundation for HMHC to be grounded in strong, healthy relationships
Foster Consultant cadre’s efforts in building relationships within their region and community to facilitate familiarity and strong connections
Develop and nurture strong, collaborative relationships with Early Care and Education (ECE) program Directors and staff; as well as other infant and early childhood agencies, particularly as HMHC expands into other sectors (Home Visiting, Birth to Three, Pediatrics, etc.)
Strengthen the understanding of IMH, IECMC, the collaborative and relational nature of IECMC services, and how adults can support social and emotional development in infants and young children
Support leadership and staff in understanding: the power of relationships; the importance of self-awareness; the impact of trauma and adverse experiences, including discrimination and exclusionary practices; and the role leaders can have in supporting staff (and agency) health and well-being
Model relational practices such as collaboration, reflection, curiosity, and considering and holding multiple perspectives as a way to support Consultants, ECE programs, and the IECMHC work
Support the HMHC process and Consultants where needed, including co-developing service plans with staff members; delivering feedback and recommendations; supporting classrooms to ensure staff can partake in HMHC services; supporting parent engagement; and, supporting leadership to impact short-term gains and long-term changes in agency practice, climate and culture.
Support infant and early childcare program leaders and staff to notice opportunities for prevention-based/universal strategies in an effort to shift away from behavior-based focus and crisis-driven response
Set a strong foundation for parent partnership by encouraging parental outreach, engagement, and opportunities for parents to share their knowledge and perspective regarding their child’s strengths and needs, as well as their family and cultural values
Track larger themes and points of connection across programs to support the development and delivery of parent/provider/community training and outreach events; to share resources and information; and to make linkages and connections
Support timely referral and coordination of services as needed; encourage ongoing cross-sector communication to build community relationships and to identify opportunities for collaboration and partnerships around resources, information sharing, and training
Complete data collection and administrative tasks as needed and as it relates to the provision of HMHC services
Administrative Support
Track and monitor the onboarding and training of each Consultant
Maintain a record of Reflective Supervision/Consultation, both individual and group, provided for each Consultant. This record may be used to support the Consultant in applying for IMH-Endorsement or another licensure
Perform a number of administrative tasks, including: overseeing the collection of data with fidelity; ensuring data and other child-specific information remains confidential; compiling reports, ensuring their completion; and filing and maintaining accurate, up-to-date records of all referrals, assignments, and open cases
Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Master’s degree in a mental health field
Clinical mental health licensure or license eligible
Minimum of 5 years direct experience in a mental health setting providing prevention services and/or mental health therapy to children and families
Minimum of 2 years providing IECMHC
Minimum of 2 years providing and receiving individual or group Reflective Supervision or Consultation
Knowledge and experience in a variety of systems working with infants, toddlers, and young children
Currently hold or be eligible for IMH Endorsement
Bilingual/Bicultural, preferred; special priority may be given to certain languages/cultures based on designated regional area
Other Requirements:
Valid Driver’s License and proof of insurance or must have alternative reliable means of transportation
Ability to able to meet visitor requirements at child care centers
Excellent coaching, teaching, and instruction skills
Excellent public speaking and writing skills
Detail oriented with strong organizational skills. Ability to coordinate and prioritize multiple sources of information
Supervision:
Reports to: Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Program Manager
Supervisory Responsibilities: possible, but not currently assigned
Working Conditions:
This position may be based in one of WI-AIMH’s offices (Middleton WI, Greenfield WI, Eau Claire WI) or as remote work from any other location in the state of Wisconsin. The Mentor must be a member of the regional community in which they are applying. There are two positions available: one in the Southern Region and one in the Northern Region of Wisconsin. (Regions are set forth by the Wisconsin Department of Children & Families, and can be accessed here for clarification: https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/images/400/map-cclicensing-regions-map.png )
Flexible daytime office hours on a set schedule. Regular in-state travel; ability to sit for 8 hours; ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.
Compensation:
This is a full-time salaried position. Pay range on WI-AIMH’s agency-wide pay scale is $70,000 - $82,000; pay commensurate with experience. A generous benefits package including health/dental and paid time off is available.
Please send resume and cover letter to Kathie Magin, Director of Operations, at kmagin@wiaimh.org.
Initial review of applications will be September 5, 2023. Position(s) open until filled.
In accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act, the above is intended to summarize the essential functions of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not meant to be an exhaustive list of miscellaneous duties and responsibilities that may be requested in the performance of this job. WI-AIMH is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.
As a non-partisan organization, Wisconsin Alliance for Infant Mental Health (WI-AIMH) supports ALL Wisconsin babies and their families, and ALL professionals who work with or on behalf of families, without regard to race, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, country of origin, heritage, or political affiliation.