Children's Interagency Liaison

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Brief Job Description:

The Program Specialist VII (Children's Interagency Liaison) reports to the Children’s Mental Health Systems Coordination Director and provides highly advanced (senior-level) consultative services and technical assistance to Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) contracted providers including local mental health authorities (LMHAs), local behavioral health authorities (LBHAs), Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD), and other child-serving entities.

The Program Specialist VII engages all agency partners to ensure continuity of care, effective coordination, and timely access to behavioral health services for children and families. This position involves planning, developing, coordinating, and identifying barriers or gaps related to access to care and developing funding recommendations for future initiatives to address the mental health needs of children and families in local Texas communities. The Program Specialist VII is responsible for providing consultative services and technical assistance to program staff, child-serving systems, community organizations, or the general public. This position will interface with the Children's Mental Health team to provide recommendations for program implementation.

The Program Specialist VII collaborates with partners to coordinate and lead mental health-focused projects and initiatives implementing Texas System of Care statutory requirements. This position leads agency activities and functions that foster collaboration and partnerships between HHSC and non-HHS entities, such as community organizations, medical institutions, other state agencies, and county and local organizations.

The Program Specialist VII serves as a lead worker providing direction to others through the interagency process. This position works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. This position is responsible for other duties as assigned.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Interface with the general public including children and families, engage in ongoing dialogue with DFPS, TJJD, and other child-serving systems, internal and external stakeholders to coordinate, improve, and stimulate interest in the program(s) and to secure support for the Texas System of Care and Children's Mental Health Programs. This position will consult with stakeholders and child-serving systems to resolve and address gaps, identify training needs, and discuss effectiveness of the programs. 30% 

Lead the implementation and ongoing management of the interagency process for children and families, ensure data collection and preparation of data analysis based on the outputs and outcomes from the interagency process. This position is responsible for the oversight of program monitoring and oversight, technical assistance and implementation and provide agency leadership with service recommendations. 20%

Develop interagency processes that align with agency policies and procedures and develop statute and rules and develop and implement effective techniques for the Children's Mental Health Unit and identify existing gaps or challenges and provide guidance to internal and external stakeholders regarding effective implementation of Children's Mental Health Services. 20%

Collaborate with partners to coordinate and lead mental health-focused projects and initiatives implementing Texas System of Care statutory requirements. 20%

This position may oversee budgetary and contracting needs, may be responsible for the development of contracts to address continuity of care, and serve as a liaison between HHSC departments and other stakeholders. This position will escalate any concerns to the manager of the unit director as needed. 5%

Analyze legislation to develop funding and policy recommendations related to programmatic issues relating to the implementation, improvement, and/or expansion or reduction of program funding as it relates to programs benefitting children and families that need access to mental health services. 5%

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:
• Local, state, and federal laws related to implementation of Children's Mental Health programs and policy with a specific focus on child welfare and juvenile justice intersections.
• Behavioral health services delivery systems, with a specific focus on LMHAs, LBHAs and other private providers that deliver mental health services to children with multi-system involvement and complex behavioral health needs.

Skill in:
• The development of policies and procedures that streamline access to care for children and families in the behavioral health system, implementation and strategic planning in execution of deliverables and effective coordination among child-serving systems. 
• Data collection, monitoring and analysis to improve program outcomes. Skill in system navigation for children and families.

Ability to:
• Identify challenges or gaps for children with complex needs, and develop and assemble an action plan and follow-up steps. 
• Gather challenges and prepare analyses, reports and recommendations for agency leadership to ensure access to care for children and families. 
• Serve as a lead worker through system navigation with child-serving systems and coordination of services.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Graduation with a Bachelor's Degree in human services or a related field is required. Master's degree in public health, public administration, psychology/sociology, social work, or related field preferred.

Additional Information:

N/A

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Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer:

This position may be eligible for telework.  Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.