Mental Health Coordinator Jobs

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):

• 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.
• Support utilization review processes: Support utilization review processes and reporting related to youth interacting with acute care systems in Massachusetts.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 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.
• 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.
• Participate in mental/behavioral health projects and grants: Actively participate in ongoing mental/behavioral health projects and grants within the assigned region.
• 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.
• Evaluate complex DCF cases: Evaluate and review complex DCF cases that require mental health services, ensuring appropriate assessment and treatment approaches are employed.
• Support interagency efforts: Participate and support Regional and Area Office interagency efforts as needed, promoting effective collaboration and communication among agencies.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience with cross-systems collaboration.
• 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.
• Capacity to interact effectively with individuals at all levels within an organization.
• Ability to manage multiple job tasks and set priorities.
• Strong interpersonal skills and excellent communication abilities, both written and in person.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to work independently, manage projects and implement priorities.
• Clinically licensed social worker (LCSW/LICSW), LMHC or licensed eligible.
• A Master’s degree in human services, social work, or a related field.
• 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-Hire 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 visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori and click on "Information for Job Applicants."

As part of the hiring process, the Office of Human Resources will be verifying any college-level degrees conferred to the selected candidate. Additionally, any licensure required for the position will be verified. Information provided as part of the hiring process is subject to the Massachusetts Public Record Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website. 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 the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form

For questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option 2.

• Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

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.

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