B – 034How do I know which degree qualifies someone to serve as a mental health specialist for our Head Start program?
The Head Start Program Performance Standards (45 CFR 1304.52(d)(4)) require that mental health services be supported by staff or consultants who are licensed or certified mental health professionals with experience and expertise in serving young children and their families. The standards do not address specific educational degrees required of these professionals. Your program must ensure that mental health professionals are licensed or certified to provide the mental health services you are asking them to deliver in your program. Each state has licensure/certification systems that review a professional’s training and experience and describe the scope of services a professional is qualified to provide to children and families in that state.
Related Questions
- A – 053 Can a Head Start program require teachers to pursue their AA/BA degree to meet the mandate and will the agency have to pay overtime if the teachers attend school after work?
- B – 034How do I know which degree qualifies someone to serve as a mental health specialist for our Head Start program?
- How can the master’s degree program at St. John’s University help you towards becoming a mental health counselor?
