24-24 Mental Health and Wellness Specialist - Elementary School
Description
Mental Health and Wellness Specialist
Job Description
About St. HOPE Public Schools
Since 2003 St. HOPE Public Schools has passionately worked toward the mission of graduating self-motivated, industrious and critical thinking leaders who are committed to serving others, passionate about lifelong learning and prepared to earn a degree from a four-year college. St. HOPE Public Schools includes three charter schools: PS7 Elementary School, PS7 Middle School, and Sacramento Charter High School located in the Oak Park neighborhood of Sacramento.
We’ve raised the bar and our schools are producing extraordinary results with closing the achievement gap and helping our scholars reach their fullest potential. Our student demographics have a much higher percentage of minority and low-income scholars, yet our state testing scores show much better results than District averages. A few examples of how our model is succeeding include:
- Sacramento Charter High School was recognized by the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) for being the highest performing High School for black students in the state of California.
- PS7 and Sacramento Charter High School were named California Education Champions by the National Action Network for being 2 of 16 predominantly African American schools that performed in the top 25% of all schools in California, and each scored a 10/10 when compared to similar schools. For context, this year there were a total of 90 predominantly African American schools in California, of which 70 performed in the bottom 25% of all schools.
- PS7 has twice been named a Title 1 Achievement Award winner, and has been recognized as a California Distinguished School and as a federal Blue Ribbon School nominee for its educational outcomes with low-income students.
- In 2020, 93% of Sac High scholars were accepted into four-year colleges and we are proud to have among the highest percentage of scholars admitted to UCs and CSUs in the Sacramento region. 100% of our scholars graduated meeting UC/CSU requirements compared to district and state averages of 44%. 100% of our scholars with an IEP graduated meeting UC/CSU requirements compared to district averages of 12% and state average of 15%.
At St. HOPE Public schools we believe in the power of the classroom teacher and know that having three years in a row of excellent teaching can overcome the average achievement deficit between low-income scholars and others. We consistently ground ourselves in this belief and prioritize collaboration so that we are building upon scholar success year after year. Alignment is essential - we work hard to ensure different teachers, grade levels, curriculums, and academic focus areas are all coordinated and working together coherently. We take the time needed with our teachers to plan out curriculums that transition smoothly across grades, and foster a collaborative work environment with consistent expectations and support across grades and campuses.
- At PS7 Middle School, our results highlight the power of three years of good teaching. Our 6th graders enter our system with only 9% of our scholars on or above grade level in math compared to the district average of 25%. Then after spending three years at PS7 Middle that same group of scholars promotes from 8th grade with 48% of scholars on or above grade level in math compared to the district average of 32%. This same trend is evident in English Language Arts with our 6th graders entering our system with 25% on or above grade level and promoting from 8th grade with 57% on or above grade level compared to the district average of 43%.
In addition to prioritizing academic achievement, we prioritize school culture. We host several engaging scholar and family events throughout the school year, and we seek to provide a well-rounded experience for our scholars with far more elective courses than are available at traditional schools. We value our teachers and offer every teacher a robust coaching and support plan in order to develop our teachers into the best possible educators. Their daily efforts are what make this learning environment as successful as possible for our scholars.
In addition to St. HOPE Public Schools, St. HOPE is a family of nonprofits that also stands for economic growth and revitalization. One of St. HOPE’s most prized development projects in Oak Park is the 40 Acres Art and Culture Center on Broadway unveiled in 2003. The project involved refurbishing the old Guild Theater and Woodruff Hotel Buildings at 35th street and Broadway, a building that had been vacant. 40 Acres currently includes the Guild Theater, Underground Books, Old Soul Co., twelve loft apartments, and it’s newest addition, Fixins Soul Kitchen.
Although St. HOPE Public Schools has come a long way in the last 18 years, there is still so much more to accomplish. St. HOPE Public Schools looks forward to continuing its vision of being one of the finest urban TK-12 public school systems in the nation and seeks outstanding individuals who are committed to this journey and willing to do whatever-it-takes to provide our scholars with the best education possible! Our future depends on it. Our scholars deserve it.
Ready to Join the Team?
The ideal candidate will bring passion and grit to the mission and vision of St. HOPE Public Schools and a desire to positively impact the Oak Park community and help close the achievement gap for our scholar population. They will have a willingness to learn, grow and work hard along the way. At St. HOPE Public Schools, we live by five key pillars:
High Expectations- You not only set the bar high for every scholar, but also for yourself. You possess a clear vision for what excellence looks like for scholar work, scholar behavior, and your craft.
Choice & Commitment- You understand how your work impacts life outside of your office or classroom. You wake up every morning and commit yourself to doing what's best for our scholars.
More Time- You are one of those people that goes above and beyond in all areas of life. Some people may even say you do too much, but you know that more time equals better results.
Focus on Results- Everything you do is done with purpose because you are dedicated to growth. You believe in data and work tirelessly to reach your goals. You are a problem solver and find feedback empowering.
Power to Lead- You are a natural influencer. You can't help but train and nurture scholars and peers. People are attracted to you because of the way you equip them to succeed.
Position Summary
St. HOPE Public Schools is seeking a highly qualified Mental Health and Wellness Specialist to join the team! Mental Health & Wellness Specialists use a multi-tiered system of support to coordinate and implement a comprehensive mental health & wellness program on their school site. Mental Health & Wellness Specialist school-wide opportunities for psychoeducation, group and individualized mental health & wellness supports. This person must be a results-driven leader who is committed to the SHPS Mission. Key attributes to describe our Mental Health and Welness Specialistinclude: (1) psychoeducational expert; (2) student advocate; (3) relentless achiever; (4) continuous learner; (5) critical thinker; (6) effective communicator; (7) problem solver; and (8) people person with excellent interpersonal skills.
Candidates must hold the belief that all children can succeed academically and socially and this belief must drive him or her to be relentless in his or her work.
The Mental Health and Wellness Specialist reports to the Principal.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Maintains a wellness center schedule that includes drop-in hours, Community Based Organizations, interns, and other staffing and services that operate at the school site and/or Wellness Center to ensure consistent presence in the Wellness Center
Facilitates and/or participates in school multi-disciplinary teams
Tracks and monitors student referrals
Coordinates and provides 1:1 counseling, support/empowerment groups, wellness services, crisis intervention, and linkages to community resources
Performs risk assessments as needed and provide necessary follow-up
Provides case management for Foster Youth, unhoused youth, Court-impacted students
In collaboration with current student-led council/committees (i.e.: school site council, equity advisory council, student governing board) obtains student input/voice on the implementation of mental health and wellness services
Provides training and workshops for students, families, and staff in the areas of mental health & wellness (i.e. Trauma informed practices, Restorative Justice Practices, Suicide Prevention and Intervention, etc.)
Provides parents/guardians with guidance and education on addressing significant physical, emotional and psychological developmental changes in students
Works collaboratively with staff and partners to advance student success and close equity gaps with the goal of reducing chronic absenteeism and reducing suspension/expulsion rates
Participates as members of Special Education Teams, Student Study Teams, attendance related meetings (SARB/ARC), Student Success Team meetings and other school-based leadership teams as appropriate
Attends as the administrative designee in assigned SST meetings, takes notes, ensures SST meetings run smoothly and provides input in SST meetings
Oversees as admin for a caseload of assigned SSTs
Provides feedback to staff/teachers on accomodations/interventions stipulated in SST. Ensures appropriate deliver of supports and accommodations in student plans.
Coordinates school-wide events and campaigns with students to develop a positive school climate and culture
In collaboration with the administrative team, identifies and develops supportive activities to address situations adversely affecting the behavioral, socio-emotional, and academic development of the students
Maintains records for the purpose of documenting activities and complying with mandated requirements, including but not limited to case management record
Maintains confidentiality of information for the purpose of meeting privacy requirements
Prepares reports, documents, and other written materials
Documents students seen and activities performed using case management software
Monitors student utilization data for Wellness providers
Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelors Degree in Social Work
- Pass a criminal background check
- Have demonstrated success in the field
Highly Desired (but not required):
- Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW)
- Hold a valid License in Clinical Social Work (LCSW) issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences Possess at least two years of post MSW social work field instruction experience
- At least 2 years of full-time relevant experience in an urban, underserved community
- Bilingual speaking, reading, and writing abilities (Spanish)
Knowledge of:
- Knowledge of Equity and culturally relevant best practices and competencies
- Ability to stay calm under pressure, multi-task, and oversee day-to-day Wellness Center flow and triage of students
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
- Ability to demonstrate excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing, for a variety of audiences (e.g. parents, students, staff, and community partners)
- Knowledge of Trauma-informed care and ability to work with diverse populations
- Demonstrate ability to take initiative and provide self-directed leadership within the Wellness Center
- Ability to integrate self and services in the school community
- Ability to work effectively with administrators and other staff
- Knowledge of record-keeping and report preparation techniques
- Knowledge of applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures governing scope of work
- Knowledge of physical, intellectual, social, and emotional growth patterns of students
- Knowledge of counseling theory, ethics and associated legal confidentiality requirements
- Knowledge of diverse academic, socio-economic, cultural, disability and ethnic backgrounds of Students
- Best practices in assessment
- Microsoft Excel, Word, and Google Docs
Salary
Starting $65,000 commensurate with qualifications, credentialing/licensure, and experience. St. HOPE Public Schools offer a competitive salary and benefits. This is a full time exempt position.
To Apply
All candidates for this position must submit the following two pieces of information. Please note you must submit both documents or your application will not be considered.
- Resume
- A thoughtful cover letter outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of this position and stating how you heard about this opportunity
Submit the application materials via our website at https://www.sthope.org/public-schools-career-opportunities
As an equal opportunity employer, SHPS prohibits unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying against any protected group, including actual or perceived discrimination, on the basis of the actual or perceived characteristics of age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnic group identification, gender expression, gender identity, gender, marital status, pregnant, parenting or lactating status, genetic information, nationality, national origin, immigration status, race or ethnicity, religion, sex, or sexual orientation, or on the basis of a person’s association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics in any SHPS activity, including hiring and employment.