JOB TITLE: Mental/Behavioral Health Specialist                WAGE/HOUR STATUS: Exempt

                   (AWARE Grant Funded) 

REPORTS TO: Director of SEL & Guidance                               

DEPT./SCHOOL:  Bonham Pre-K                       DATE CREATED: January 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. 

QUALIFICATION: 

Education/Certification: 

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

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 Professional Counselor Associate (LPC-A) may be hired if the MHBHS candidate will be supervised by a CPM with the 

                                                                 or

A Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) or Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC-A) 

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
• 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
• Ability to speak Spanish preferred

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

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES: 

• Implement services in the San Marcos CISD 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 identification of mental health issues and to promote positive mental health
• Implement a comprehensive service plan of evidence-based culturally competent and developmentally appropriate school- and community-based mental health services
• 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
• 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
• Establish relationships with local businesses, families, and community groups to broaden and linkall 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

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors

• Regular travel within the identified school district, schools and community agencies
• Multi-tasking, scheduling and meeting multiple deadline
• Work cooperatively with a wide range of programs and personalities
• Maintain confidentiality
• School district employees may be required to work from home and use their personal electronic devices

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills that may be required.