Program Specialist - Children, Youths, And Families Behavioral Health

CareOregon wants to assure our employees of our continued commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace and protecting the communities we serve. CareOregon complies with all state and federal laws requiring healthcare staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or have an approved accommodation due to having a valid medical or religious exception, as a qualification of employment.

Additionally, CareOregon requires employees who have roles that require them to perform services within community-based settings to follow the COVID-19 vaccination policies of our community partners, or have an approved accommodation due to having a valid medical or religious exception, as a qualification of employment.

Job Summary

CareOregon is a local health plan that administers Medicaid/Oregon Health Plan (OHP) benefits and is working to improve community health in partnership within our regional networks and Health Share of Oregon (HSO). This position is responsible for working with children, youths, and families related to the behavioral health system of care which includes translating policies and procedures, contractual requirements, and clinical models into core operations within the CareOregon network of behavioral health providers. Additionally, this position is responsible for analyzing specific areas system of care, behavioral health service expansion, training, workforce development/support, providing system coordination, translating program requirements to practice, and leading implementation efforts — using an equity lens to address disparities within children, youths, and families. This position acts as liaison between internal and external partners, contractors, and stakeholders to facilitate collaboration, consensus building, and ensure accountability. Work is performed under the direction of internal leaders, steering committees, and external partners.

Essential Responsibilities

Relationships, Collaboration, and Communication

• Assist in the development of regional youth integrated clinical strategy and process needs, including identifying and tracking deliverables, identifying network and system gaps, and addressing those gaps though partnerships; program enhancements; and network optimization.
• Provide operational guidance on expansion and optimization of youth behavioral health services and systems within the region including early childhood, school aged, and transitional aged youth. This position may also have an opportunity to support youth substance use disorders (SUD) System of Care governance, and Outreach and Engagement initiatives.
• Communicate with youth behavioral health system partners regarding reporting as per contract requirements and reporting associated with CCO contractual obligations.
• Assists with strategy development and implementation relative to CCO incentive metrics associated with the Children’s Behavioral Health System.
• Supports regional networks and pertinent partners as needed by identifying potential strategic investments.

Network Support and Technical Assistance

• Assist in the compliance monitoring of provider network to review utilization, quality improvement, and evaluation programs for members within youth behavioral health services.
• Engage CCO stakeholders, including County partners, behavioral health professionals and providers, advocates, and members through open communication and articulation of goals and vision.
• Participate in policy and planning discussions focused on creating increasingly integrated health care delivery models on a community-wide basis.
• Actively engage as a member of the Behavioral Health team; participate in strategic planning, team development activities, and regularly act as a representative of the CareOregon behavioral health regional team in cross-collaborative stakeholder meetings.
• Coordinates meetings among Metro staff, providers, collaboratives, and other behavioral health-focused groups as needed.
• In collaboration with Behavioral Health Leadership, develop and monitor a dashboard of system performance with success indicators and clinical and financial outcomes, provide technical assistance to clinics on Develop actionable data reports and applied use of reports within their settings (both visual management and electronic based systems).

Project Management

• Develop and maintain tools for tracking timelines, deliverables, and project outcomes.
• Assist Behavioral Health Leadership in implementation of network strategies and interventions. Take lead on tracking said activities and following through until implementation.
• Regularly connect with system partners regarding progress of projects and regularly update leadership on goal tracking.

Organizational Responsibilities

• Perform other duties as needed.
• Adhere to the organization’s policies, procedures and other relevant compliance needs.
• Perform work in alignment with the organization’s mission, vision and values.
• Support the organization’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion by fostering a culture of open mindedness, cultural awareness, compassion and respect for all individuals.
• Strive to meet annual business goals in support of the organization’s strategic goals.

Experience and/or Education

Required

• Minimum 3 years’ experience as a program specialist/coordinator in behavioral health and/or social services
• Bachelor’s degree in a behavioral health or public health field with 3 years’ experience with children and youth mental health/Substance Use Disorder (SUD) work OR a Master’s degree in a behavioral health or public health field with 2 years’ experience with children and youth mental health/SUD work
• Valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and automobile liability coverage or access to an insured vehicle

Preferred

• Experience working within a Medicaid managed care environment and/or working with vulnerable populations in community behavioral health settings

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

Knowledge

• Familiarity with partners in the children’s system of care including child welfare, I/DD, juvenile justice, county behavioral health programs, healthcare Prevention/Promotion and educational systems.
• Working knowledge of community mental health and substance use disorder services and programs in Oregon, including working knowledge of OHP benefits, payment issues, practice models, and continuous quality improvement concepts
• Working knowledge of System of Care Values and Wraparound Principles
• Working knowledge and use of Trauma-Informed language and principles, social determinants of health, use of Person First language and principals
• Working knowledge of OARs and CCO requirements pertaining to youth continuum of care, and the delivery of youth services and supports

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to be high-energy, persistent, assertive, data driven and focused.
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Ability to create engagement and bring individuals together; ability to work effectively as part of a cross-functional team and foster an environment where change is embraced and supported.
• Proficient in Microsoft tools; ability to effectively track and report on progress.
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and coordinate multiple projects or tasks
• Ability to support the organization’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion by fostering a culture of open mindedness, cultural awareness, compassion, and respect for all individuals.
• Ability to coordinate and organize committee meetings and workgroups that maximize opportunities for participation by all stakeholders
• Ability to travel back and forth within the assigned network region
• Ability to remain flexible, positive, and adaptable
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, with a high degree of professionalism.

• Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups

• Ability to accept direction and feedback, as well as tolerate and manage stress
• Ability to learn, focus, understand, and evaluate information and determine appropriate actions
• Ability to see, read, hear, speak clearly, and perform repetitive finger and wrist movement for at least 6 hours/day

• Ability to operate a motor vehicle

Working Conditions

Work Environment(s): Indoor/Office Community Facilities/Security Outdoor Exposure

Member/Patient Facing: No Telephonic In Person

Hazards: May include, but not limited to, physical and ergonomic hazards.

Equipment: General office equipment and/or mobile technology

Travel: Requires travel outside of the workplace at least weekly; the employee’s personal vehicle may be used. Driving infractions will be monitored in accordance with organizational policy.

#Li-Hybrid

Candidates of color are strongly encouraged to apply. CareOregon is committed to building a linguistically and culturally diverse and inclusive work environment.

Veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.

Equal opportunity employer. This company considers all candidates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.