NGRI Program Specialist

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

Texas Health and Human Services Commission’s (HHSC) Diversion and In-Reach Services (DIRS) within the Forensic and Jail Diversion Services (FJDS) Unit seeks an NGRI Program Specialist VI to expand and enhance statewide technical assistance initiatives. The NGRI Program Specialist VI reports to the DIRS Team 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 highly advanced (senior-level) consultative services and technical assistance related to the provision of statewide forensic and diversion activities and programs for people with serious mental illness, including the provision of mental health services in the community-based setting for people at risk or with justice involvement. This position focuses on court-ordered outpatient services for people adjudicated Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI).
This position works to address access to community-based services and continuity of care requirements through collaboration with local mental health authorities (LMHAs), local behavioral health authorities (LBHAs), the criminal justice system, and other local entities to ensure people’s needs are addressed in the least restrictive environment. Work involves planning, developing, and implementing major agency programs in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, such as LMHAs, LBHAs, courts, and state hospitals.
This position has 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; rule development; monitoring of program compliance and outcomes; creation of 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 communication, analytical, and writing skills.
This position must maintain state-of-the-art knowledge regarding recovery-oriented services and engagement in mental health services, in addition to service delivery systems that support people who are justice-involved or at risk of justice involvement. This position works under minimal supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. This position performs related work as assigned.

Requirements

• Knowledge in:Court-ordered mental health services in the outpatient setting; forensic mental health 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 technical assistance for contractors struggling with the implementation of behavioral health services; quickly comprehend complex issues and prioritize activities to meet strict deadlines. Skilled in identifying problems, evaluating alternatives, and implementing solutions to complex policy and implementation.
• Ability to:Develop complex, detailed implementation plans; lead team projects and delegate tasks appropriate 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.
• Degree Required- Bachelor's degree in public health, psychology/sociology, social work, public affairs, or a related field from an accredited college or university.

Nice To Haves

• Mental health professional licensure is preferred.
• Master's degree is strongly preferred.
• Experience with forensic mental health services and court-ordered outpatient mental health services is strongly preferred.
• Experience using complex data sets and experience managing large systems change initiatives is preferred.
• Experience in direct provision or management/administration of public mental health services is preferred.
• Experience with behavioral health rules and the development of contract language for program implementation is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plans, prioritizes, and performs a variety of technical assistance, training, research, planning, policy, program assessment, and administrative activities related to access to care for people with justice involvement that enhance the continuum of forensic and jail diversion programs.
• Serves as a subject matter expert on forensic and jail diversion services, with a focus on court-ordered outpatient services for people adjudicated as NGRI or on another forensic commitment (30%).
• Implements evidence-based practices, revises statewide guidelines and performance contract language, creates policy interpretation briefing documents, and analyzes program-specific legislation.
• Participates in the development of rules, policies, regulations, and contracts related to forensic and jail diversion services.
• Analyzes complex policy implementation issues and creates various documents and spreadsheets to provide education to internal staff and external stakeholders (30%).
• Tasks include oversight of specific programs; providing input on policy issues arising from quality management activities; assisting with the procurement, development, oversight, and coordination of specific external contracts, including federal grants; providing training and technical assistance to internal staff and external stakeholders; facilitating statewide conference calls; assisting with quantitative and qualitative analysis that includes identifying trends related to program services and expenditures, including financial analysis; supporting ongoing research and analysis activities related to forensic, jail diversion and enhanced behavioral health services; and providing detailed input regarding information systems and reporting guidelines.
• Ensures programs adhere to applicable state and federal grant and contracting requirements, including expenditures, and agency policy and procedures (20%).
• Duties include development and oversight of 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 the 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 the DIRS Director (20%).

Benefits

• Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level