On Site Consultation

POLICY:

Mental health services will be provided by the Disability Services Coordinator on a schedule of sufficient frequency to enable the timely and effective identification and intervention of the family and staff concerns about a child’s mental health.

PROCEDURES:

1. Disability Services Coordinator (DSC) will
   1. Provide availability for consultation, assessment, training, and planning of mental health services
   2. Assist staff in taking the appropriate steps in obtaining assistance for mental health needs
   3. Implement a process for staff and family’s concerns about a child by using multiple forms of observation and documentation and providing guidance in a timely and effective manner
2. NOCAC Head Start staff will obtain direct guidance from the DSC on how to use the following tools to address identified needs
   1. Screenings
   2. Classroom Observations
   3. Assessments
   4. Child Service Plans
   5. Referrals
   6. Conscious Discipline
3. Mental health services are structured to support teachers with addressing mental health concerns, such as depression, withdrawal, anxiety, abuse, and behavioral and social-emotional concerns
4. NOCAC Head Start staff Design and implement program practices responsive to the identified behavioral and mental health concerns of individual or groups of children
5. The DSC is responsible for follow-up on mental health referrals
6. The DSC will utilize community mental health resources as needed

Forms and Additional Guidance: