Regional Behavioral Health Advocate (161 Days)

The NWESD aspires to be a racially and culturally inclusive staff that reflects the diversity of those we serve. We believe this strengthens our organization, stimulates creativity, promotes the exchange of ideas, and enriches staff engagement.

Summary:
The goal of the Regional Behavioral Health Advocate – COVID Response is to expand student assistance and behavioral health services to additional school sites in each region to support behavioral health promotion, prevention, intervention, referral, and recovery support. This position will work to increase regional capacity to support LEAs/schools with EBP social, emotional, behavioral practices through use of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, and Interconnected Systems Framework strategies, and increase availability of and access to school & district BH services, technical assistance, training, and coaching for all districts.

Essential Functions:

• Supports universal tier one behavioral health promotion and awareness efforts in all districts in the region.
• Provides presentations, access to individualized BH resources, host provider roundtables, attend local and regional resource coordination meetings.
• Monitors and updates web resources and participates in the open office hours to coordinate follow up with districts.
• Provides professional development opportunities.
• Coordinates and implements family and community behavioral health awareness events and stigma reduction campaigns.
• Collaborates on various supports and explores implementation possibilities as recommended by project leads and SMART center in identified districts. Attends regular coordination meetings with the Behavioral Health Educational Service District COVID response team and program manager.
• Develops training and related materials (e.g. newsletters, prevention posters, in-service activities, etc.) to promote behavioral health supports in partnership with the behavioral health navigator, threat assessment coordinators and MTSS coaching staff as appropriate.
• Perform related duties as assigned. Related duties may not specifically be listed but are within the general occupational series and responsibility level typically associated with the employee’s classification of work.

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Knowledge of human services approaches and programming, community-based youth serving organization, youth behavioral health services and substance use prevention.
• Knowledge of school systems, including tiered supports, school counseling, and special services, and knowledge of the regional context of behavioral health systems and community service coordination with school districts and school buildings.
• Knowledge of mental health needs of youth and understanding of how schools can support those needs.
• Ability to coordinate resources among community agencies, school systems and other organizations.
• Ability to develop mental health resources and topics for trainings that increase the promotion of student wellness.
• Ability to be trained in various curriculums or frameworks that enhance youth behavioral health awareness.
• Skill in developing and leading trainings for adult learners.
• Skill in building and establishing networks of support and positive relationships between agencies and organizations.

Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Human Services, Human or Child Development. Two years of experience in the school setting or in community services working with youth required, 5 years of experience coordinating Behavioral Health or Student Support Programming preferred. Successful experience in working with and collaborating with community agencies required. Experience working in the substance abuse and/or mental health field preferred. Experience delivering professional learning and technical assistance preferred. WSP/FBI criminal history background clearance required. Valid driver’s license and proof of liability insurance required.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:
Adjust working conditions as necessary for each position. Work is performed approximately seventy-five percent (75%) in an office environment and approximately twenty-five percent (25%) traveling to districts and affiliate agencies, as well as for workshops, committee representation, and conferences. Lifts and carries a maximum of forty (40) pounds. Adequate manual and finger dexterity, hearing, speech, and vision are necessary to perform the essential functions of this position.

Hazards: Potential hazards are present based on the fact that the position requires the incumbent to drive a significant amount. Hazards may include but are not limited to traveling alone, driving in inclement weather conditions, varied road conditions, rush hour traffic, etc.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions of this position, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload. Changes to the position description may be made at the discretion of the employer.

It is the policy of the Northwest Educational Service District No. 189 to not discriminate against any person with regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, physical or mental disability, or citizenship or immigration status.