Child Advocate Tier 2 Mental Health Support

Reports To:

• Licensed School Social Worker and/or School Principal
• School Administration as designated

Qualifications:

• Associates or Bachelors degree in psychology social work human services education child development or related field.
• Experience working with young children in educational therapeutic or human services settings.
• Strong communication organization and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build positive relationships with children families and school staff.
• Commitment to culturally response trauma informed and child-centered practices.
• Experience with play-based interventions school-based services diverse student populations bilingual skills or familiarity with Tier 2 interventions social emotional learning or PBIS is preferred.

General Description: The Child Advocate is a member of the school-based mental health team and provides early intervention support to students in Kindergarten through Grade 3 who are experiencing mild to moderate social-emotional or behavioral adjustment difficulties. Using a child-centered play-based approach the Child Advocate delivers individual non-directive sessions to support emotional regulation peer relationships self concept and overall school adjustment. The Child Advocate collaborates with teachers families school mental health professionals and community partners to promote student well-being increase family engagement and support sustainable mental health services within the school community.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Provide weekly individual play-based intervention sessions aligned with the Primary Project model.
• Create a safe supportive and developmentally appropriate environment that encourages emotional expression and social growth.
• Support students in developing positive peer interactions self awareness assertiveness and adaptive classroom behaviors.
• Collaborate with teachers and school mental health staff to identify students exhibiting early adjustment difficulties.
• Support the use of screening and outcome measures including the Teacher Child Rating Scale and assist with monitoring student progress.
• Participate in regular supervision with licensed mental health professionals to ensure fidelity to the intervention model.
• Communicate with teachers regarding general student progress while maintaining confidentiality.
• Support family engagement through participation in conferences workshops or informational sessions related to social-emotional development.
• Maintain accurate session notes attendance records and documentation in accordance with district and state requirements.
• Assist with data collection reporting and required program updates.
• Participate in required professional development and implement interventions in alignment with program guidelines and ethical standards.
• Collaborate with school and community partners to support referrals coordination and continuity of care.

Work Environment: This is a school-based position serving elementary students and requires regular interaction with students families teachers administrators and mental health professionals. The role involves active engagement in play-based activities and movement throughout the school setting.

Physical Abilities and Working Conditions:

The Physical Abilities and Other Conditions of Employment listed in this section are representative of but are not intended to provide an exhaustive list of Physical Abilities and Other Conditions of Employment that may be required of positions in this class. Norwich Public School District encourages persons with disabilities who are interested in employment in this class and need reasonable accommodation of those disabilities to contact the Human Resources Department for further information.

• Performing the job duties of this position requires the following physical demands: reaching some lifting standing walking carrying bending stooping kneeling crouching sitting and/or crawling.
• Move small stacks of textbooks media equipment desks and other classroom equipment
• Occasional exposure to sun heat cold and inclement weather

Terms of Employment: Part-time 20 hrs/week (Primary Mental Health Grant)

Salary: $22.00/hr