Mental Health And Behavioral Health Specialist (Mhbhs) (Grant Funded Position)

Position Type:

Professional: Central Office

Date Posted:

6/13/2024

Location:

District-Wide

  Additional Information: Show/Hide

FLSA Status: Exempt/Professional

Pay Grade: 3 AP

Reports to: AWARE Project Manager

Duty Days: 226

Date Revised: 03/09/2022

Primary Purpose:

Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education (AWARE) Texas Expansion Consortium is a state partnership grant initiative funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) that is designed to pilot evidence-based practices that promote mental health and wellness in the school district. The project seeks to prevent youth violence and build capacity for implementing school mental health best practices over a five-year grant period. It seeks to sustain practices in the district when the grant period ends. The initiative will also contribute expertise to school mental health capacity building on the state level as part of the AWARE Texas Expansion Consortium.

The Mental Health/Behavioral Health Specialist (MHBHS) will provide direct services for students and families, consultation with educators, crisis intervention services, and will coordinate mental health services with partner agencies in the community. The MHBHS will provide direct counseling services to students including helping students to develop skills that will promote resilience, self-regulation and pro-social behaviors, avert development of mental and behavioral health disorders, and prevent youth violence. The MHBHS will increase awareness and identification of mental health issues among all adults working with youth and promote positive mental health for students, families, school staff and community. The MHBHS will work under a clinical supervisor with requisite licensure to provide supervision, the Community Project manager. The MHBHS will have the opportunity for career development by providing mental health services in the Elgin Independent school district.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification/Licensure:

Master's degree in counseling, social work, or other related mental health discipline with appropriate licensure

Professional clinical license in mental health related field is required.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Clinical Psychologist/PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) OR

A Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) or Licensed Profession Counselor Associate (LPC-A) may be hired if the MHBHS candidate will be supervised by a CPM with the requisite supervisor certification for clinical social work or counseling: (LCSW-S, LPC-S) OR

A Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) or Licensed Profession Counselor Associate (LPC-A) may be hired if the MHBHS candidate will be clinically supervised through a professional services agreement to provide clinical supervision toward an LCSW or LPC for the MHBHS by a professional with the requisite supervisor certification for clinical social work or counseling: (LCSW-S, LPC-S)

Experience:

Related field experience such as providing social work or counseling direct services, group work, and case management services for youth or families.

Clinical mental health experience is preferred

Experience delivering services in the school setting is preferred, including through a partnership or internship

Experience in providing professional development, outreach and awareness mental health training to school staff, mental health agency staff, student or parents is preferred

Special Knowledge/Skills:

Knowledge of mental health services in public school settings with emphasis in areas of evidence- based strategies reflecting trauma-informed, mindfulness, self-regulation, prosocial skills, and resiliency building strategies to increase school engagement

Knowledge and experience in individual and group counseling

Knowledge of evidence-based strategies in suicide screening and safety planning

Knowledge and understanding of community mental health and crisis services

Knowledge and understanding of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework and implementation, and best practices of Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)

Ability to screen individuals, assess mental health needs, develop service plans, and make referrals

Ability to follow-up and collaborate with community mental health agencies

Ability to collect data on progress, outcomes, and reporting

Strong consultation skills with teachers, parents, students and mental health professionals

Knowledge of school-wide and targeted supports to strengthen mental health wellness

Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills

Ability to present information in one-on-one, small group, and large group situations to students, parents, and district staff

General knowledge of behavioral health principles

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

• Implement services in the identified Independent School District to improve or expand mental health-related interventions and services across school-aged youth and family-serving systems, and readiness for implementing school-community partnerships.

• Collaboratively work with state, local and regional partners on improving or expanding mental health-related interventions and services across school-aged youth and family-serving systems.

• Increase and improve access to evidence-based culturally competent and developmentally appropriate school- and community-based mental health services, particularly for children and youth with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) or Serious Mental Illness (SMI).

• Conduct outreach and engagement with school-aged youth and their families to increase awareness and early identification of mental health issues and to promote positive mental health.

• Connect families, schools, and communities to increase engagement and involvement in planning and implementing school and community programs for school-aged youth.

• Help school-aged youth develop skills that will promote resilience and promote pro-social behaviors, avert development of mental and behavioral health disorders and prevent youth violence by providing direct counseling services.

• Equip schools with the ability to immediately respond to the needs of youth who may be exhibiting behavioral/psychological signs of a severity indicating the need for clinical intervention.

• Develop and implement a comprehensive plan of evidence-based culturally competent and developmentally appropriate school- and community-based mental health services.

• Respond immediately on-site if a school-aged youth exhibits behavioral signs warranting the need for clinical attention.

• Provide coordinated referral, services, and follow-up to school-aged youth and their families for evidence-based school- and community- based mental health practices and services.

• Implement a workforce development training plan to increase the mental health awareness and literacy of school staff, administrators, parents, and others who interact with school-aged youth to recognize the signs and symptoms and mental illness and link them to appropriate services.

• Develop and implement meaningful ways to engage students and their families by involving them in the design and implementation of education and community initiatives.

• Establish relationships with local businesses, families, and community groups to broaden and link all community resources available to school-aged youth and their families.

• Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other required documents in a timely manner

• Participate in clinical supervision and professional development activities.

• Participate in state activities of the AWARE Texas Expansion Consortium.

• Engage in professional development to maintain knowledge and skills in area(s) of responsibility.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

Tools/Equipment Used: Personal computer and peripherals; standard instructional equipment;

Posture: Prolonged sitting; frequent kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting

Motion: Repetitive hand motions (Keyboarding and use of mouse); regular travel maybe required to multiple locations within Elgin ISD, schools and community agencies

Lifting: Regular light lifting and carrying (less than 20 pounds)

Environment: Work inside, may work outside; regular exposure to noise

Mental Demands: Maintain emotional control under stress; may work prolonged or irregular hours; work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under pressure

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required. This position may be federally funded, fully or partially. The employee will be responsible for keeping time and effort reports and submitting on a monthly basis. Changes in federal funding could affect budgets, payroll distributions, and/or employment status.