Are you a socially conscious, dedicated individual who is committed to building a better future for children, families, and their communities? If so, join us as we support early childhood education programs across the country to create positive outcomes for the children and families served.
As a Mental Health Specialist at Acelero Learning, you will play a critical role in supporting the social-emotional well-being of children, families, and staff within our Early Head Start and Head Start programs. This position offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with educators, families, and interdisciplinary teams to identify behavioral and mental health needs, implement supportive strategies, and strengthen classroom environments that promote healthy child development.
If you are passionate about child mental health, early intervention, family partnership, and creating equitable outcomes for children and communities, we welcome you to join our mission-driven team.
Why Acelero?
Our mission is bold: To design and deliver research and evidence-based approaches to eliminate the gaps between young children’s inherent potential and their achievement in school and life. With our partners, we accelerate child and family outcomes that honor all of the aspirations and cultures of the communities we serve.
Our values: Data-Informed Learning; Transparent & Open Communication; Growth Mindset; Championing Equality; Caring Teams & Communities.
Your Role:
As a Mental Health Specialist, you will provide expertise, coaching, and consultation to support the emotional wellness and behavioral health of children and families. You will partner closely with Early Learning teams to strengthen classroom practices, guide interventions, conduct observations and assessments, and connect families with appropriate resources and supports.
You will also help build staff capacity through coaching, workshops, and reflective practices while promoting fidelity to program models and behavioral support frameworks across centers and classrooms.
What You’ll Do:
Support Children’s Mental Health & Development
Conduct classroom and center-based observations to identify social-emotional, behavioral, and developmental concerns.
Lead the development of behavioral support strategies for children displaying challenging behaviors.
Conduct Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs) as needed.
Support referrals and connections to community-based mental health and developmental resources.
Collaborate with Early Learning Inclusion Specialists to discuss observations, concerns, and intervention strategies.
Partner with Families
Build supportive relationships with families to address behavioral and mental health needs.
Provide parents with education related to emotional wellness, mental health concerns, and intervention strategies.
Support family participation in mental health services and home learning activities, including PEER Cards and other tools.
Coordinate parent workshops that promote family engagement and mental health awareness.
Coach & Support Staff
Meet with Head Start and Early Head Start staff to strengthen understanding of child mental health and behavioral support practices.
Facilitate workshops and training focused on emotional wellness, classroom behavior strategies, and mental health support.
Conduct classroom observations and create plans to improve implementation fidelity.
Facilitate Pyramid Model 8-Part Series Training for teaching staff.
Support program-wide implementation of social-emotional and behavioral support models.
Documentation & Collaboration
Maintain timely and accurate reports, observation notes, and documentation within program data systems.
Participate in assigned meetings, training, and interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities.
Maintain regular center schedules and ongoing communication with program leadership and teams.
What You Bring:
Passion for Child & Family Wellness
A strong commitment to supporting the social-emotional well-being of young children, families, and educators in diverse communities.
Educational Background
Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Clinical Psychology, Psychiatry, or a related field required.
Professional Experience
Experience working with children and families in ethnically diverse, low-income communities required.
Experience collaborating with early childhood education teams is preferred.
Knowledge of infant and toddler mental health strongly preferred.
Licensure & Expertise
Must be a licensed or certified Mental Health provider within the state.
Demonstrated expertise in child behavioral health and mental health interventions.
Skills & Abilities
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to build collaborative relationships with staff, families, and community partners.
Knowledge of TPOT/TIPITOS frameworks and classroom observation practices preferred.
Demonstrated computer literacy skills, including Google Suite, spreadsheets, data systems, and internet navigation.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
When/Where/How Much
When: Summer 2026
Where Acelero Learning Clark County Headquarters
How Much $80,000 per year + comprehensive benefits package
Why You’ll Love Working with Us
A mission-driven organization focused on equity and educational opportunity
A collaborative and supportive team environment
Opportunities for professional growth, coaching, and leadership development
Meaningful work that positively impacts children, families, and communities
A workplace culture rooted in inclusion, wellness, and continuous learning
Robust Benefits That Support Your Wellbeing
Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contributions
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
401(k) Retirement Plan with company match
Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
Life Insurance
Professional Development Reimbursements
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Wellness Programs and Employee Perks
If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact by supporting the emotional wellness and development of children and families, apply now to join Acelero Learning as our next Mental Health Coordinator/Consultant. Together, we can help every child thrive.
Why Acelero Learning or Shine Early Learning?
- Ability to make an impact in the lives of the children, families, and partners we serve
- Career growth and professional development opportunities
- Supportive working environment
- Average of 5 weeks of paid time off during 1st year of employment
- Comprehensive benefits, including 401K matching and 100% vesting program
We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and healthy work place.
We envision a world where children become champions of their own making; where nothing stands in the way of their infinite promise.
Acelero Learning was founded in 2001 by a former Head Start teacher and Children Defense Fund staffer, with a clear mission -- to work with local communities to improve the quality of Head Start programs. In 2005, Acelero Learning began to directly administer Early Head Start and Head Start programs through delegate agencies -- locally managed affiliates with their own local boards of directors that received dedicated support from the Acelero Learning Support Center in New York.
Today, Acelero Learning affiliates operate a network of Head Start and other early childhood programs serving nearly 5,000 young children and families across the country. Our affiliates in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Camden, Monmouth and Middlesex Counties in New Jersey, Clark County, Nevada, Aiken and Barnwell Counties in South Carolina and Racine and Milwaukee counties in Wisconsin have each improved the delivery of early childhood education in their communities -- increasing enrollment, improving teacher salaries and dramatically expanding the number of hours of programming for children and families.
