Student Assistance Specialist - Charlottesville

General Statement of Responsibilities

This is a FLSA exempt position in which the incumbent works as part of Prevention Services to provide implementation, coordination, and management for a student assistance program sited at a local school. The incumbent shall provide crisis intervention services focused on short‑term stabilization of children, including mental health assessment and clinical interventions. The incumbent shall provide behavioral coaching, role‑modeling, psycho‑education/skill building, crisis counseling, and emotional support to selected children and families in behavioral health areas, including but not limited to attachment (or child development), parenting, behavioral management, problem solving, self‑management, social interaction, independent living, crisis management, employment searching, and work skills.

Req#

The incumbent will also function as an outreach specialist to provide in‑community prevention programs for children, adolescents, families, and citizens /she will work with human service agencies, treatment teams, schools, local jurisdictions, and citizen groups to provide appropriate consultation and implementation of programs of service and education about prevention of substance addiction, mental health, and promotion of resiliency.

The incumbent reports to the Director of Prevention Services and to the school system administrator. Carrying out the position duties requires participation in formulating and carrying out policies, objectives, and programs involving the school system, Region Ten, and other local agencies. The incumbent receives general supervision after specific program objectives have been determined and defined by program administrators, exercises sound judgment, is cooperative, and maintains confidentiality when performing assigned duties and responsibilities.

In carrying out the position duties, the incumbent performs in accordance with applicable professional ethics, licensure standards, school policies, and Region Ten policies.

• Provides assessment of the need for local programs of prevention particularly those addressing violence, mental health and substance use issues.
• Designs and/or establishes prevention services to meet prioritized school needs; prioritizing “at‑risk” students.
• Provides consultation to other schools and school system staff regarding prevention and intervention services.
• Provides liaison with local agencies in order to coordinate referrals for treatment services. Coordinates services with therapists and other professionals, agencies, schools, and other resources. Participates in case conferences, presents information on observations of child/family behavior and functioning. Identifies family strengths, weaknesses, areas of stability and instability, and progress toward treatment goals.
• Provides crisis intervention services as defined by DMAS and licensure regulations.
• Coordinates the school‑based Student Assistance Program which may include, but is not limited to, a student assistance core team, prevention/education presentations, individual assessments and brief counseling, psycho‑educational groups, a peer mediation program, consultation and referrals, crisis intervention, and/or parent training.
• Participates in the trainings provided through the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
• Provides in‑service training at the direction of the Director or Program Manager of Prevention Services.
• Works evening hours as required by assignment by the school administrator in charge of student assistance programs or the Director or Program Manager of Prevention Services.
• Receives supervision in prevention assignments and issues as required.
• Completes documentation as required. Maintains current and complete records; including daily entries of services in the Prevention Database required by DBHDS and maintains required records for any crisis intervention services provided.
• Attends required meetings.
• Supervises volunteers or students as assigned.
• Reads all agency communication (i.e., Ten, Region Ten’s…