Mental Health Service Coordinator

JOB DESCRIPTION

THOMASVILLE CITY BOARD OF EDUCATION

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE COORDINATOR

RESPONSIBLE TO:

Superintendent and Special Education Coordinator

QUALIFICATIONS:

The strongest candidate will have ONE of the following qualifications:

· Have a bachelor's degree in social work.

· Satisfy ALSDE qualifications for a school counselor.

· Satisfy ALSDE qualifications for a school nurse.

· Previous professional mental health experience or have been licensed in a mental health occupation including, but not limited to, licensure as a licensed professional counselor (LPC) or marriage and family therapist (MFT).

· Other qualifications as determined by the Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) and the ALSDE.

· Be able to pass criminal history background check. § Have successful experience working with students at risk.

· Be certified in the Youth Mental Health First Aid program, if not, you will be trained.

· Possess working knowledge of appropriate strategies for reducing behavior that places students at risk of not being promoted, dropping out, or not graduating.

· Possess the ability to effectively communicate with students, families, and adults.

· Possess the ability to develop, analyze, implement, and track prevention and intervention strategies and plans.

· Possess knowledge of and the ability to analyze and utilize data (e.g., school processes, student learning, demographics, and perception) to effectively impact student progress.

· Possess knowledge, understanding, and ability to access available alternative education opportunities and community resources to further improve students’ ability to succeed academically and behaviorally.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The MHSC works with students, families, teachers, and administrators to identify and address the social/emotional, mental health, and wellness needs of students through collaboration with school-based and community mental health professionals, including school counselors, school social workers, school nurses, school psychologists, and school resource officers through the following activities:

1. Provides assessments to determine the social, emotional, and behavioral needs of students for the purpose of pinpointing the source of school or parental concerns; coordinates effective intervention strategies that will lead the students to be more successful in school.

2. Serves on multidisciplinary team(s) to address needs of students, including students from special populations, to ensure data-informed implementation of appropriate services, programming, and/or placement.

3. Maintains accurate, complete, and punctual records as required by law, district policy, and administrative directions.

4. Abides by the Alabama Professional Educator Code of Ethics, in addition to those required by his or her professional specialty area.

5. Understands and adheres fully to requirements of FERPA and HIPPA.

6. Provides consultation and professional learning to administration, faculty, and other school employees on broad areas of mental health and wellness-related issues.

7. Consults with administrators and appropriate school employees to ensure student success and assists in the structure to remove barriers to learning.

8. Consults with parents regarding ways they can assist student(s) in becoming successful in and out of school.

9. Provides crisis intervention services as needed.

10. Assists schools in the prevention and intervention of grief and/or suicide as needed. 11. Coordinates direct and indirect services for students and parents.

11. Serves as a liaison between school, families, and community agencies on a continuous basis.

12. Utilizes community resources to effectively serve family and student needs.

13. Assists the school in planning programs that prevent, reduce, or alleviate situations that interfere with the learning process of students.

14. Performs other related duties as may be assigned.

JOB GOAL:

ALSDE expects the Mental Health Service Coordinator (MHSC) Pilot Program to ensure the successful transition of all students from elementary to middle school to high school. The MHSC will develop, sustain, and/or facilitate a comprehensive prevention and intervention program for students in Grades K-12 as determined by the LEA. The MHSC will assist all students and families to increase the quality of education and community living.

EVALUATION:

Job performance for tenured personnel will be evaluated by the immediate supervisor based on Board policy. Non-tenured personnel will be evaluated annually.

APPEALS:

An employee who is not satisfied with his/her evaluation shall seek recourse by following the grievance procedure.