MENTAL HEALTH CONSUMER AFFAIRS COORDINATOR (OPEN & PROMOTIONAL)

Under general direction and as a member of the Mental Health Services Division’s Leadership Team, the Mental Health Consumer Affairs Coordinator (Mental Health Program Specialist) will plan, administer, organize, and supervise the activities of the Division’s Office of Consumer and Family Affairs. Reporting directly to the Mental Health Director, the Consumer Affairs Coordinator will have the opportunity and challenge of insuring the active and effective participation of consumers and family members in the design, monitoring and evaluation of public mental health services in San Mateo County. The Coordinator will develop a program of consumer involvement that promotes a recovery approach at all levels of the Mental Health Plan, providing outreach and information, problem resolution, human resources development, training for consumers and providers, and other initiatives.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

- Plan, organize, and supervise the work of the Office of Consumer and Family Affairs in coordination with the Division’s clinics, private providers, and other public and community agencies.

- Coordinate the ongoing involvement of consumers and family members in the Division planning and program development activities.

- Develop and administer programs for the improvement of consumer and family relations, consumer and family satisfaction, and understanding of “consumer culture” in culturally diverse communities, and respond to external requirements.

- Track, monitor, and respond to complaints, concerns, and issues regarding access to, and satisfaction with services; provide peer assistance in resolving problems.

- Develop and maintain communications/materials for consumers and family members such as brochures and handbooks.

- Provide education and outreach to consumers and the community regarding mental health services.

- Develop partnerships with diverse community and consumer groups, including advocacy, self-help, family alliances, and parent groups.

- Plan, develop, and implement consumer-related training and human resource development projects.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The Ideal Candidate will have experience:

- As a consumer of mental health services.

- Providing direct services or collaborating with service providers and consumers in a mental health agency/organization for at least three years.

- Directing the work of others.

- Providing leadership in a consumer-oriented enterprise or activity.

THE DIVISION

The Mental Health Services Division of the Health Services Agency provides comprehensive services to the mentally ill. Priority target populations include Medi-Cal beneficiaries, seriously mentally ill adults and children, older adults at risk of institutionalization, seriously emotionally disturbed children in special education and/or at risk of out-of-home placement, and people of any age in crisis. Services are structured within a recovery oriented community-based system of care.

San Mateo County Mental Health Services has run a managed care program under a federal 1915(b) waiver since 1995. Inpatient and outpatient services for Medi-Cal eligible clients are consolidated into one system with all indigent mental health care. In the most recent renewal of this waiver, all pharmacy and lab costs have been included in the plan. The County is working with the state to explore various forms of reimbursement from the state to counties including case rates for services. The Division has a $70 million budget with 250 staff and many services delivered through contracts.

Education and Experience: Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is three years of experience as a Mental Health professional.

Knowledge of:

- Concepts of self-help, peer support, and recovery models; the mental health consumer movement as well as family/parent partnership initiatives.

- Basic program development and management techniques and practices.

- Education and training methods and techniques.

- Laws, rules, State guidelines, and regulations governing a public mental health agency.

- Mental health programs and services available to the community.

- Principles of individual, group, and community behavior; multicultural issues and cultural sensitivity.

Skill/Ability to:

- Plan, organize, and supervise the work of the unit including monitoring outcomes.

- Assist management in the interpretation of legislation, legal opinions, and court decisions affecting consumer affairs.

- Investigate and assess complaints and work to resolve conflicts and problems.

- Prepare and deliver group presentations and training.

- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse groups, including mental health clients/client organizations, family members, organizations, treatment staff, and community organizations.

- Communicate effectively in oral and written form, preparing formal reports, brochures, and documents.

Anyone may apply. San Mateo County employees who have worked at least six months in a permanent or probationary classified position prior to the final filing date will have 5 points added to their final passing score on this examination. A supplemental application form must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. This recruitment has been extended beyond the original final filing date. Apply immediately. The recruitment is open on a continuous basis and a selection may be made at any time within the process. The final filing date will be posted 5 days in advance in the Employee and Public Services Department of the County.

Analyst: Juanita Nebiolini (072503)

(Mental Health Program Specialist G081)