The Mental Health Coordinator plays a crucial role in the efforts of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) Regional/Area to support children, youth, and families who are affected by mental and behavioral health challenges. As a consultant to the Regional/Area DCF staff, the Mental Health Coordinator's primary responsibility is to enhance capacity and expertise within the field and establish connections with service providers catering to children and families facing mental and behavioral health issues. The daily responsibilities and functions of this position are regionally/area-based, focusing on the specific needs and challenges within the designated area. The Mental Health Coordinator operates under the direct supervision of the Regional Clinical Mental Health Specialist Manager, while also being overseen by the Director of Mental Health, who leads the entire unit. /Please Note:_This position officially reports to Central Office but will sit_//_in the Northern Regional Office (Lawrence, MA)._/ *_Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):_ * Implement capacity building for staff: Enhance staff assessment and needs determination skills for families with children facing mental and behavioral health challenges. Provide resources, support, and training to improve understanding in managing child welfare cases involving these children. * Provide clinical case consultation: Offer clinical case consultation services to assigned Area Offices, providing expert guidance and support in complex cases involving mental and behavioral health challenges. * Consultation and support for acute crisis cases: Provide consultation and support to Area Offices for children experiencing acute crisis situations related to mental and behavioral health challenges. * Develop and review clinical plans: Create and review clinical plans, coordinating the involvement of internal and external stakeholders. Offer consultation and technical assistance to DCF area offices in developing effective plans. * Evaluate complex DCF cases: Evaluate and review complex DCF cases that require mental health services, ensuring appropriate assessment and treatment approaches are employed. * Coordinate critical incident debriefings: Coordinate and assist in conducting critical incident debriefings for staff and stakeholders involved in challenging situations related to mental and behavioral health. * Identify strategies and develop supports: Identify strategies and develop supports, resources, and educational materials for DCF field staff based on current trends in community mental health. * Coordinate treatment and discharge plans: Take the lead in coordinating and implementing treatment and discharge plans, emphasizing the placement of children into the least restrictive settings. * Support capacity building through training: Support the development of mental and behavioral health training programs within DCF area offices. Assist in building the capacity of DCF field staff and promoting coordination on various mental health topics and navigating systems. * Support utilization review processes: Support utilization review processes and reporting related to youth interacting with acute care systems in Massachusetts. * Participate in mental/behavioral health projects and grants: Actively participate in ongoing mental/behavioral health projects and grants within the assigned region. * Attend team meetings and contribute to policy shaping: Participate in Regional/Area team meetings, including CQI teams, family group conferencing, and other clinical meetings. Contribute to policy development and provide best practice guidelines to the field as part of the Mental Health Unit. * Coordinate and collaborate with key stakeholders: Coordinate and collaborate with key stakeholders in the continuum of care service delivery system, such as the Department of Mental Health, MassHealth, and the MassHealth Managed Care Vendor. * Support interagency efforts: Participate and support Regional and Area Office interagency efforts as needed, promoting effective collaboration and communication among agencies * Establish working relationships with community-based providers: Work with community-based providers to establish working relationships with local DCF Area Offices. Improve communication, develop protocols for enhanced service access, and provide cross-training as necessary to providers. _Required Qualifications_: * At least three years of full-time or equivalent part-time experience working with individuals impacted by mental/behavioral health needs and/or providing mental/behavioral health services. * Experience with cross-systems collaboration. * Ability to manage multiple job tasks and set priorities. * Strong interpersonal skills and excellent communication abilities, both written and in person. * Capacity to interact effectively with individuals at all levels within an organization. _Preferred Qualifications_: * Clinically licensed social worker (LCSW/LICSW), LMHC or licensed eligible. * * Ability to work independently, manage projects and implement priorities. * Proficient usage of Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, and Outlook and other PC based software. *_To Apply_: Please upload _both_ Resume and Cover Letter for this position when applying. _About the Department of Children and Families_: The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is committed to upholding the fundamental mission of protecting children from abuse and neglect to ensure they are able to grow and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. DCF’s vision is that all children have the right to grow up in a nurturing home, free from abuse and neglect, with access to food, shelter, clothing, health care and education. DCF works toward establishing the safety, permanency, and well-being of the Commonwealth's children by stabilizing and preserving families; providing quality temporary alternative care, when necessary, safely reunifying families; and when necessary and appropriate, creating new families through kinship, guardianship, or adoption. Preferred applicants will possess a demonstrated commitment to the core practice values: 1) child-driven, 2) family-centered, 3) community-focused, 4) strength-based, 5) committed to diversity/cultural competency, and 6) committed to continuous learning. For more information about our agency and programs visit: www.mass.gov/dcf _Pre-Offer Process_: A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visithttp://www.mass.gov/hhs/coriand click on "Information for Job Applicants." Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website. If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete theReasonable Accommodation Online Request Form For questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #4 First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days. MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional, administrative or managerial experience in business administration, business management or public administration the major duties of which involved program management, program administration, program coordination, program planning and/or program analysis, and (B) of which at least one year must have been in a supervisory capacity, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below. Substitutions: I. A bachelor's degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required (A) experience.* II. A Graduate degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of three years of the required (A) experience.* III. A bachelor's or higher degree with a major other than in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.* *Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed. NOTE: No substitutions will be permitted for the required (B) experience. _Comprehensive Benefits_ When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future. Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards! *An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role. Job: Administrative Services* *Organization: Department of Children & Families *Title: *Mental Health Coordinator - Northern Region Location: Massachusetts-Boston-600 Washington Street Requisition ID: 240007AR