Therapeutic Teacher

Early Childhood Mental Health Program is a highly respected non-profit agency that provides early education and mental health services to young children and their families in West Contra Costa County. We are seeking an experienced therapeutic teacher to join our diverse team. We are looking for someone to provide culturally sensitive services to children 6 weeks to five years old. In this role you will engage with the children in the Children's Room at the Greater Richmond Interfaith Program family shelter (GRIP) to develop self-regulation, language, cognitive, interpersonal, motor, perceptual, and other skills with an emphasis on social and emotional development. Our therapeutic classroom provides trauma informed early learning. Our families face the stresses of trauma, migration, domestic and community violence, economic hardship, and substance use, among many others. (Although many of the children receive special education support, we do not work with children on the spectrum or with primarily developmental delays). ECMHP is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation/identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and internship. ECMHP makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

· Works with children in the Greater Richmond Interfaith Program’s (GRIP) Children’s Room to develop self-regulation, language, cognitive, interpersonal, motor, perceptual, and other skills with an emphasis on social and emotional development.

 · Interacts with children in the classroom setting to improve social and emotional development; self-regulation skills; and language, cognitive, interpersonal, motor, perceptual, and other skills that will enable the child to successfully enter a mainstream school environment. 

· Assists to establish the therapeutic milieu in the classroom setting. Adapts oneself to the individual needs of children by setting limits, interpreting the underlying meaning of behaviors, and following the children’s lead in play. 

· Develops creative and trauma informed curriculum that supports children’s engagement in a variety of unstructured and structured activities. 

· Communicates with children’s caregivers and collaborates with them to support their child’s development. 

· Completes trauma screener and development evaluations (ASQ and ASQ-SE) when a child begins their residency at GRIP. Developmental evaluations are to be completed every 6 months thereafter. 

· Responds to each child’s needs and/or unsafe behavior quickly and effectively by utilizing the principles of Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® training, including physical restraint of client when appropriate. 

· Works in collaboration with Director of Mental Health Programs and GRIP staff in program planning and implementation. 

· Completes all necessary paperwork in accordance with established timeframes.

· Completes and submits all screening tools and evaluations in accordance with established timeframes. 

· Participates in supervision, staff training, collaborative meetings with other service providers, and other meetings as required. 

· Assists with ordering and organizing of supplies, menu planning and meal preparation, cleaning, display of children’s artwork, and other general duties related to the overall operation and maintenance of the program. · Other duties as assigned 

Minimum Requirements: 

1. Associate Degree OR Bachelor’s degree in human/child development, social welfare, psychology, counseling, or a related field. 

2. Teacher or Master Teacher Child Development Permit granted by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing; OR twelve (12) semester units in the Early Childhood Education core coursework; OR (6) semester units in Early Childhood Education core coursework with a commitment to complete an additional six (6) semester units within the next three semesters.

 3. Five years’ experience working with young children in a daycare or preschool program, preferably as a teacher or mental health consultant. 

4. Must submit to fingerprinting and be cleared by the California Department of Justice and the FBI for criminal and child abuse background checks. 

Physical Requirements: Employee must be able to lift, grasp, and hold a 50-lb. dynamic load; must be able to stand, walk, sit, bend, stoop, and crouch without physical limitations. Must be able to quickly rise from sitting position on chairs and floor demonstrating rapid motor movement and responses. Must be able to work effectively in a high-noise, rapid-pace environment.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Fluent Spanish speaker highly preferred
• Trauma-informed training or certificate
• Two years' experience working with young children with mental, emotional, and behavioral challenges.

 The agency offers competitive salary with an annual language stipend for fluent Spanish speakers. The salary range 60K to 70K. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental insurance, and generous paid vacation. We provide excellent supervision, training, support for professional development, and reasonable productivity expectations. We are a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). Please see our website for further information: www.ecmhp.org Job Type: Full-time Salary: $60,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year Benefits: 

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

 Schedule: 

• Monday to Friday

 Application Question(s): 

• How many ECE units do you currently have?
• Tell us a little about why your are interested in this position.
• Do you have experience working with children who have experienced trauma?

 Language: 

• Spanish fluently (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Submit cover letter and resume to employment@ecmhp.org