Credential Programs
Mental Health -
Administrator (30 units)
The
Credentialed Administrator
(CA)
program
is designed
for professionals who are responsible for implementing, managing, and monitoring regulations in a Head Start environment.
Candidates
enrolled in this program typically have 1
to 5 years experience administering mental health services.
Due to the in-depth nature of this program level, candidates
should be knowledgeable about Head Start policies and
requirements in accordance to
the Federal regulations. The Credentialed Administrator program
is designed as a valid and reliable
measure of the candidates ability to design, develop and
implement Head Start systems. Candidates of the CA program will
acquire extensive knowledge of State regulations that
directly impact a program's ability to maintain
compliance. Candidates enrolled in this
credentialing program acquire a skill set which consist of
the best practices and procedural methods for
implementing regulations and handling Head Start
compliance during a federal review.
A credential at
HS University is an "educational process" of
establishing the qualifications of professionals
in Head Start, Early Head Start, Migrant Head
Start, American Indian/Alaska Native and Early
Childhood employees. The process consists
of the attainment of a specific skill level and
knowledge of regulations and the assessing of
the candidate's educational background and
experience. A license is then awarded to the
professional who meets the standards set for the
credential. It signifies that a student
has enrolled, attended and successfully
completed the requirements of a specific health
services
area within a Head Start program.
The specialist credential process usually takes about
6 months to complete and requires 30 units.
The credential in
Mental Health Administrator credential is designed to
help students develop a “systems approach” to
monitoring mental health services, reflecting the
vision articulated within the Performance
Standards and mental health protocol that strong
systems are essential to maintaining program
quality. Under this approach, students will
learn how to identify a failure within mental health
service area and identify the underlying
problems in which federal review teams might
identify as a non-compliance finding. The
credential focuses on how systems, services, and
mental
health activities interact to create and
maintain quality support and services. The focus
of the credential will be on both the child and
family, using the regulations and best practices
to develop procedures and policies. This
credential is a holistic, multifaceted
credential that allows students to learn how to
integrate quality mental health support systems and
services. The credential uses
the mental health
requirements as the core of the credential.
Students learn the provisions of establishing a
Head Start-based mental health program that emphasizes
a programmatic way of observing and recognizing
mental
health and behavioral changes
in staff, children and families and directing
them to the best support services.
The credential in
Mental Health Administrator credential is designed for
students who want a concentration in the areas
of mental health services in Head Start.
Credits earned can be used for transfer into the
Associates in Science degree - Health Services
Management program.
Learning
Outcomes
Upon successful
completion of all program requirements,
graduates will be able to:
|
1. |
Develop
mental health policies and procedures that
support the goals for children,
families and staff
|
|
2.
|
Link
children and families to ongoing sources
of continuous, accessible mental health care |
|
3.
|
Integrate mental health within the Head Start
program curriculum |
|
4.
|
Respond
to questions about strategies to address
community mental health problems |
|
5. |
Ensure
center environments support a healthy
child's social and emotional development |
|
6.
|
Engage
parents in identifying and accessing
mental health services and resources |
|
7.
|
Support
parents as advocates for their child's
mental health |
|
8. |
Support
efforts to improve mental health in the
community |
|
9.
|
Develop
comprehensive mental health services for
children and pregnant mothers |
|
10.
|
Educate
providers and other professionals on the
mental health
needs and issues of Head Start children
and families |
|
11. |
Advocate
for community system changes that
support the mental health of children and
families |
Program Length
All courses are five days or one week in length,
15 units unless specified
otherwise.
HS University students are Head Start
working adults who can earn their
certificate at their own pace and on their
own schedule. Most students attend
part-time, and the normal time to
complete this program is 6 months.
Program Cost
Cost information for HS University
program is available at
http://www.hsuniversity.org/cost_fees.html.
The tuition and fees for the entire
program, at current tuition rates, are
$3445.
Program Course of Study
The following list a suggested course of
study. Students must complete 10
credits/ 30 units in order to earn a
certificate. Please contact
your advisor and student representative
for an individual Professional
Development Plan (Plans consist of a
detailed program of study requirement
and Proposal for Tuition payment).
Students must complete an application
and pay application fee in order to
receive Professional Development Plans
of Study.
|
Course # |
Description |
Units |
Credits |
|
MHS101 |
Mental Health Specialist Course |
10 |
4 |
|
MHS102 |
Mental Health
Specialist Credential |
15 |
5 |
|
50-101C |
Exam Level I & II |
5 |
1 |
|
MHS201 |
Mental Health Administrator Course |
10 |
4 |
|
MHS202 |
Mental Health Administrator Credential |
15 |
5 |
|
50-201C |
Exam Level
III & IV |
5 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
