Children’s Mental Health Initiative Grant Manager

This is a fixed-term contract position, which will conclude on September 29, 2028.

The Children’s Mental Health Initiative (CMHI) grant enhances and expands evidence-based and outcome-focused behavioral health services for children, youth, and young adults with Serious Emotional Disturbance by establishing single points of access to a comprehensive system of care at two rural Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) demonstration sites in rural Kennebec and Penobscot counties.

The project will implement a comprehensive set of strategies and interventions aligned with a system of care framework. Key interventions include establishing a single point of access in each county; expanding specialty psychological and neuropsychological assessment capacity; increasing access to gold-standard evidence-based practices, wraparound care coordination, and crisis services; strengthening family and youth peer support; and introducing occupational therapy and respite services. The program will also implement governance structures, workforce training, digital behavioral health safety planning, and community engagement strategies. Evidence-based and evidence-informed practices will be delivered with fidelity and adapted to rural service environments. These strategies will support long-term recovery and strengthen data-driven, coordinated behavioral health systems for children and families in Maine communities.

The project has three primary goals: (1) expand timely access to comprehensive behavioral health services for children, youth, and young adults aged 0-21 with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED); (2) strengthen system of care infrastructure, coordination, and integration; and (3) increase delivery of evidence-based, recovery-oriented, and community-based services. Measurable goal objectives aligned with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) strategic priorities include: reducing time to mental health outpatient services by 40%, expanding access to evidence-based services by 25%; and achieving 95% timely crisis response rates by the end of the project.

The grant manager will work collaboratively with the Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) Children’s Behavioral Health Services (CBHS) unit and the Office of MaineCare Services (OMS) Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) program teams to implement the grant project. Specifically, the grant manager is responsible for ensuring grant goals are met, all reports are filed on time with SAMHSA and Maine DHHS, and all applicable rules, regulations, laws, and Executive Orders are followed. On a day-to-day level, the grant manager:

• supports project development and execution, contract development, and data collection;
• is the primarily point of contact for SAMHSA project officers, including through email and monthly check-ins, ad hoc correspondence, site visits, and other reporting; and
• conducts contract performance reviews, specifically as it relates to grant compliance, performance against goals, and financial spend-down.

Other representative tasks:

• Work collaboratively with program teams to implement the project
• Supports CBHS and CCBHC program teams with contract development, program and service implementation, data collection, and project evaluation.
• Continuously monitor grant performance and collaborate with the CBHS and CCBHC teams to develop plans for needed improvements.
• Coordinates monthly and/or quarterly programmatic review/progress meeting, and SAMHSA monthly check-in and site visits.
• Coordinates with program staff on provider site visits on an annual basis to ensure grant compliance.
• Collaborates with staff in the development of bi-annual and annual program reports and grant applications.
• Leads in the preparation of new/continuation grant proposals/applications to federal agencies.
• Maintain up-to-date and well-organized grant/award files.
• Creates presentations and documents for reporting and monitoring.
• Travels only as grant requires (i.e. site visits and required grantee meeting)

Qualified candidates will possess the following knowledge, skills, and education:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher (required)
• Grant writing and reporting experience (preferred)
• Preference for Maine-based applicants (preferred)
• Knowledge of behavioral health systems (preferred)
• Understanding of state government
• Leadership and presentation skills
• Knowledge of federal funders, reporting process, and contract compliance
• Ability to accurately maintain electronic and physical records
• Ability to work independently and maintain strong reliability
• Ability to represent OBH in a professional manner at meetings with other state offices, funders, providers, and stakeholders
• Ability to clearly and effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, accurately, and concisely
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion
• Ability to work under pressure/tight deadlines while balancing competing assignments
• Knowledge and proficiency of MS Office and/or other project management software

To apply, please email your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and relevant work experience to Jessica.M.Baker@maine.gov .

Pay: $36.00 - $46.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Augusta, ME 04330

Salary : $36 - $46