Public Policy Coordinator, Trauma and Mental Health

I. Purpose & Summary of Position

The Texas Council on Family Violence is the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit coalition in Texas dedicated solely to creating safer communities and freedom from family violence. With a state-wide reach and direct local impact, TCFV, with the collective strength of more than 1,500 members, shapes public policy, equips service providers, coordinates community responses, and initiates strategic prevention efforts.

The Public Policy Coordinator, Programmatic (focusing on Services Best Practices, Trauma, and Mental Health) strengthens the capacity of family violence programs and community partners working to drive system change and enhance trauma-informed services for survivors of family violence.

The Public Policy Coordinator works on the Policy Team within TCFV, reporting to the Public Policy Manager (Programmatic) and/or the Director of Public Policy. The Public Policy Coordinator will focus on supporting the agency and programs by focusing on the intersections of mental health and trauma-informed advocacy into service delivery and supports the implementation of best practice service models, including voluntary services and the required advocacy service model in Chapter 51 of the Human Resources Code.

This role also delivers training and technical assistance to agencies and professionals working directly with survivors of family violence, including guidance on state and federal laws on service provision requirements. This role also works closely and collaboratively with funders to support local family centers.

• Coordinate, develop, and offer training on the intersection of mental health and trauma-informed advocacy, including the implementation of best practice service models such as voluntary services and the required service model in Chapter 51.
• Create, develop, and update written materials for use by survivors, family violence programs, and allied professionals, with particular emphasis on building knowledge and skills related to the intersections of health, mental health, and trauma-informed advocacy, including the implementation of best practice service models involving voluntary services.
• Utilize effective, current, and innovative methods to strengthen and expand the capacity of family violence service providers.

• Provide technical assistance to advocates, family violence programs, and other entities to enhance access to services for survivors of family violence, strengthen best practices for service provision, and support the integration of mental health, trauma-informed advocacy, and voluntary service models.
• Lead the maintenance and updating of content, in consultation with the rest of the policy team, for the Creating Safer Spaces webpage, an information hub for family violence programs as they create service models, model forms, and policies.
• Support relevant TCFV listservs and monitor and respond to relevant email accounts to support program staff across the state via training and technical assistance.
• Ensure requests for technical assistance are responded to in a supportive, timely manner.
• Support inquiries, technical assistance and issues related to Ch. 356 Texas Administrative Code Rules pertaining to family violence center services.

• Develop, maintain, and update written materials and protocols, including a focus on draft sample family violence program policies and client file forms, as appropriate, for use by survivors, family violence programs, and allied professionals.
• Support inquiries, technical assistance, training, and issues related to family violence administration as requested by the Health and Human Services Commission.
• Research, track, and analyze legislation during the Texas legislative session and throughout the year, providing recommendations on TCFV priorities and other proposals impacting family violence survivors, programs, and the allies who serve them. Additional projects and responsibilities may be added and/or changed at the discretion of the Manager and Director.