Project AWARE and Suicide Prevention Program Specialist

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Brief Job Description:

Under the supervision of the Director of Suicide Prevention, Policy, and Services within Prevention and Bheavioral Health Promotion (PBHP), the Project Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education (i.e., Project AWARE) Program Specialist will provide advanced consultative services and technical assistance to local organizations awarded federal grants by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to implement school-based mental health interventions through Project AWARE programs. Currently, there are three Project AWARE communities that this position will support: Houston, San Antonio, and Laredo. It is anticipated that this Program Specialist may support other communities who apply for Project AWARE grants through SAMHSA and are awarded funding opportunities. 

In addition to supporting local communities in implementing their Project AWARE programs, this position will assist the Health and Human Services Commission’s suicide prevention team in delivering suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention training and technical assistance to contractors and stakeholders.

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 need. 

Essential Job Functions (EJF):

EJF 1: Collaborates with the local Project AWARE coordinators to implement their SAMHSA-approved project plans. Ensures that local Project AWARE coordinators are aware of the Texas System of Care (TxSOC) and Community Resource Coordination Group (CRCG) local and state-level initiatives to strengthen referrals to the local CRCG when needed, and to leverage TxSOC training infrastructure, as needed to bolster the effectiveness of Project AWARE school-based mental health interventions. Facilitates partnerships and written agreements between the Education Service Centers (ESCs) and schools or school districts served by Project AWARE grantees and the local mental health authority (LMHA). Provides training and technical assistance to Project AWARE grantees on strategies for state and local collaboration between the school-based mental health specialists, schools, ESCs, and the community mental health agencies to increase referrals, assessment, treatment services, and follow-up that improves health outcomes of the students and families served through Project AWARE.

EJF 2: Partners with the Project AWARE grantees and their stakeholders to develop protocols for sharing confidential information regarding mental health service outcomes, treatment progress, and support or follow-up needs of students referred to the LMHA for screening, assessment, and treatment. Provides technical assistance to Project AWARE grantees on the development of mental health and crisis protocols to include suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention strategies.

EJF 3: Coordinates with the Suicide Prevention and Project AWARE local coordinators to ensure continuity in school mental health and suicide prevention services across Texas Project AWARE programs. Provides suicide prevention, intervention, postvention, consultation and technical assistance to providers, stakeholder groups and communities. This includes serving as a subject matter expert, organizing and facilitating meetings, representing HHSC at public meetings, and developing and delivering suicide prevention presentations and trainings. Coordinate and collaborate across PBHP to integrate suicide prevention initiatives are integrated across youth prevention programs and other substance use prevention services. Performs bill analysis during the state legislative session and helps implement legislative mandates related to suicide prevention and mental health services that impact children and youth. May work on the writing and planning of grant proposals to expand or improve suicide prevention for mental health services.

Knowedlge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge:
1. General knowledge about Project AWARE.
2. General knowledge about suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention practices.
3. General knowledge about recovery, resiliency, engagement, and disease management concepts and program components as they relate to the provision of mental health services.

Skills:
1. Effective verbal communication, to include the preparation and presentation of data analysis. 
2. Advanced business and technical writing, reporting, and interpretation of information read.
3. Have emotional intelligence and soft skills which promote stakeholder engagement and providing good customer service.

Abilities:
1. Organize and present information effectively, both orally and in writing. 
2. Provide information to providers, executive leadership and stakeholders on Project AWARE and suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention agency activities. 

Licensure, Certification or Registration (Required): None

Initial Screening Criteria: 

A Bachelor's Degree in a mental health discipline, public policy, public health, business administration, or healthcare is required.

A Master's degree in a mental health discipline, public policy, public health, business administration, or healthcare is preferred in addition to at least three (3) years employment providing behavioral health services and/or developing behavioral health public policy preferred. Work experience may be substituted for academic experience for candidates who have worked in the behavioral health industry for a minimum of 10 years to include overseeing or implementing suicide prevention initiatives. 

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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.