Credential Programs
Mental Health -
Specialist (15 units)
The
Credentialed
Specialist
(CS)
program is designed as a valid and reliable
measure of the candidates understanding of the Head Start
regulations. Candidates enrolled in this
Credential program acquire a skill set of the best
practices and procedural methods for implementing Head
Start
regulations. A Credentialed
Specialist
(CS)
is a Head Start professional who is
responsible for collecting, reporting, managing and
monitoring daily compliance issues in a content area.
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 family services
area within a Head Start program.
The specialist credential process usually takes about 3 months to complete and requires 15 credit
units.
The credential in
Mental Health includes
is
designed to give students insight into the
behavior and social factors that influence
mental health disease. It includes an
introductory knowledge about the human services
field and prepared to assist administrative
staff, social workers and mental health workers
in Head Start in a variety of program settings.
Mental Health assistants work under direct
supervision to provide support in receiving
mental health services. Mental health
certificate teach students to identify parents
and children with mental disorders. The
certificate address the best ways to talk to
patients and take notes on their responses.
It introduces students to various methods and
discusses ways to utilize findings in seeking
mental health treatment. The curriculum is designed to include
all the specialized courses in Mental Health to
enable students to work with parent and children
which allows students to get hands-on experience
working with parents and children in Head Start,
Early Head Start or Early Childhood settings.
Learning
Outcomes
Upon successful
completion of all program requirements,
graduates will be able to:
|
1. |
Identify a
variety of current and historical
theoretical approaches to Mental Health
services |
|
2.
|
Identify and
assess the elements that determine
quality in mental health |
|
3.
|
Articulate
the beginnings of a personal philosophy
of mental health issues |
|
4.
|
Identify and
evaluate ethical issues that may be
encountered in the field of mental
health |
|
5. |
Plan,
implement and evaluate age appropriate
and individually appropriate activities
for typical, atypical and children and
families from
culturally diverse backgrounds. |
|
6.
|
Create and
evaluate a learning environment that
supports children's physical, social,
emotional and
emotional development |
|
7. |
Identify and
apply positive approaches
that encourage families to seek help and
services |
|
8. |
Demonstrate
competence in integrating theory and
practice in mental health services and
supports |
Program Length
All courses are five days or one week in length,
5 credits 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 3 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
$1495.
Program Course of Study
The following list a suggested course of
study. Students must complete 5
credits/15 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 |
|
50-101C |
Exam -
Mental Health |
5 |
1 |
|
MHS102 |
Mental Health Specialist Credential |
15 |
5 |
