Program Specialist V

About the role

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission's (HHSC) Forensic and Jail Diversion Services (FJDS) Unit seeks a Program Specialist V to expand and enhance statewide technical assistance initiatives. The Program Specialist V reports to an Associate Director under the FJDS unit. This position is located in the Adult, Crisis, and Forensic Mental Health Services Division, Behavioral Health Services Department. This position performs advanced (senior-level) consultative services and technical assistance work related to the provision of statewide forensic and diversion activities and programs for individuals with serious mental illness, including the provision of mental health services that involve outpatient and residential crisis services for justice-involved individuals. Work involves planning, developing, and implementing major agency programs in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders such as county jails and state hospitals. This position works to address access to care and continuity of care issues through collaboration with Local Mental Health Authorities, Local Behavioral Health Authorities, the criminal justice system, and other local entities to ensure people's needs are addressed in the least restrictive environment. This position oversees diversion and in-reach services programs. This position will have responsibilities related to the design and implementation of evidence-based practices; research and development of statewide or pilot programming in conjunction with evidence-based best practices; revision of statewide guidelines and performance contract language; creating policy interpretation documents; development of legislative appropriations requests; drafting prompt responses to requests for information, and serving as a public speaker or division representative with stakeholder organizations, inter or intra agency task groups, and other organizations or agencies as requested. This position requires strong analytical and writing skills and must maintain state-of-the-art knowledge regarding recovery-oriented services and engagement, in addition to service delivery systems that support people found incompetent to stand trial. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Performs related work as assigned.

Essential Job Functions

• Plan, prioritize, and perform a variety of technical, training, research, planning, policy, program assessment, and administrative assistance and activities related to access to care for people who are involved, or are at risk of involvement with the justice system, that enhance the continuum of diversion programs. This team member will serve as a subject matter expert on jail diversion services. (30%)
• Implement evidence-based practices, revise statewide guidelines and performance contract language, create policy interpretation briefing documents, and analyze program-specific legislation. Participate in the development of rules, policies, and regulations and contracts related to crisis, forensic and jail diversions services. This position will analyze complex policy implementation issues and create various documents and spreadsheets to provide education to internal staff and external stakeholders. (25%)
• Oversee a variety of programs and provide input on policy issues arising from quality management activities. Assist with the procurement, development, oversight and coordination of specific external contracts (including federal grants). Provide training and technical assistance to internal staff and external stakeholders, facilitate statewide conference calls, assist with quantitative and qualitative analysis that includes identifying trends related to program services and expenditures, support ongoing research and analysis activities related to jail diversion services and programs and enhanced behavioral health services, and provide detailed input regarding information systems and reporting guidelines. Ensure programs adhere to applicable state and federal grant and contracting requirements, including expenditures, and agency policy and procedures. (20%)
• Develop and oversee complex, detailed implementation plans, facilitation of cross-functional meetings and workgroups, representation of Behavioral Health Services or HHSC at public meetings, development of financial spreadsheets, taking a leadership role in internal and external workgroups and conferences and briefs leadership, and preparation of briefing documents, tables, meeting agendas, slide presentations or talking points for leadership presentations or public testimony. Documents and escalates issues in a timely manner to a Unit Supervisor. (15%)
• Perform other duties as assigned (5%).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: Forensic services, jail diversion services, behavioral health crisis services, adult mental health programs, and substance use issues and services; recovery, resiliency, engagement and service delivery, including Texas Resilience and Recovery as it has rolled out in Texas. Basic knowledge of the criminal justice system, substance use treatment, prevention, and Medicaid programs/services in Texas.

Skills in: Effective verbal communication and public speaking, exceptional writing skills, data analysis and reporting, and qualitative interpretation of complex policy issues. Effective facilitation of contractors struggling with implementation of behavioral health service; quickly comprehend complex issues and prioritize activities to meet strict deadlines; identifying problems, evaluating alternatives, and implementing solutions to complex policy and implementation.

Ability to: Develop complex, detailed implementation plans; participate in team projects to accomplish team objectives; develop products to support the implementation of evidence-based practices; develop materials for training and TA events; lead cross functional work groups; support contracts related to behavioral health services, crisis, forensic, and jail diversion programs; develop statewide rules for program policy; ability to guide and maintain strong relationships with diverse professionals and stakeholders.

Qualifications

Required: Bachelor's degree in public health, psychology/sociology, social work, public affairs, or a related field from an accredited college or university.

Preferred: Master's degree. Experience within the forensic and jail diversion system. Experience using complex data sets and experience managing large systems change initiatives. Experience in direct provision or management/administration of public mental health services. Experience with behavioral health rules and the development of contract language and experience managing large systems change initiatives. Mental health professional licensure is preferred.

This response is AI-generated, for reference only.