Behavioral Health Specialist

Join a team that makes a difference in the US foster care system!

NAA is seeking a Behavioral Health Specialist to join its team!

Overview:

The Behavioral Health Specialist will support the National Adoption Association (NAA) in its work with The National Center for Adoption-Competent Mental Health Services (“Mental Health Center”). The role focuses on providing expertise in behavioral health, organizing community engagement initiatives, and contributing to technical assistance (TA) activities. The Specialist will play a critical role in ensuring that the voices of individuals with lived experience (LEx) are effectively represented and incorporated into programmatic strategies. 

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in behavioral health, social work, psychology, or a related field preferred. Additional experience will be considered in lieu of a degree. 

• At least 3 years of related work experience with a proven track record of administrative support and behavioral health or trauma-informed care.  
• Prior non-profit or child welfare experience highly preferred. 
• Ability to travel 1-2 times per year within the United States.

Key Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience with technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives.  

• Familiarity with culturally specific and linguistically inclusive service practices. 

• Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and organizational skills. 

• High level proficiency in Microsoft Office—MS Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, Access, and PowerPoint.  

• Proficiency with MS Suite, Zoom, Trint, Google Workspace, Airtable, project management tools and overall familiarity and comfort with navigating and learning new technology. 

• Results-oriented with a high attention to detail, ability to multi-task, and meet deadlines in a demanding, fast-paced environment. 

• Passionate about the children, families and jurisdictions served by National Center for Adoption-Competent Mental Health Services with a commitment to National Adoption Association’s mission. 

• Ability to contribute to a strong team-based environment. 

• Ability to work effectively with diverse teams and agency partners.   

Role and Responsibilities:

Community Engagement 

• Participate in planning meetings and notetaking for the Mental Health Center team meetings to stay informed on activities and initiatives.  

• Build relationships with community-based organizations, behavioral health providers, and non-traditional support networks (e.g., faith-based organizations) in states, territories, and tribes (STTs).  

• Foster relationships with site teams to recruit additional LEx participants for focus and affinity groups.  

• Support team in recruiting 3-5 LEx participants for each STT to join site-specific TA teams.  

• Organize six monthly virtual affinity groups categorized by LEx types (youth, foster, adoptive, kin, and birth families).  

• Ensure meaningful engagement by providing updates on the Mental Health Center activities and gathering feedback.  

• Support sustainability planning by assisting in identifying long-term community engagement strategies and partnerships that enhance LEx involvement in ongoing TA efforts.  

• Maintain cross-collaborative communication and partnerships within the Mental Health Center to support the collaborative.  

Outreach & Advocacy.  

• Conduct outreach to recruit participants for focus groups, ensuring diverse representation (8-10 participants per focus group).  

• Coordinate documentation and report preparation, ensuring reports are completed within 10 days post-focus group.  

• Represent the National Center at webinars, conference presentations, and community events (up to three annually) to promote program initiatives and support recruitment.  

• Contribute original content to the Mental Health Center's Knowledge Hub, including six articles over the course of the year highlighting diverse community experiences.  

• Participate in the Editorial Committee to ensure that content aligns with Mental Health Center goals.  

Administrative Support.  

• Assist the team with organizing and process-tracking webinar and project development, creation, and implementation.  

• Prepare discussion guides to gather participant feedback on mental health services, including cultural competency, trauma-informed care, and linguistic inclusivity.  

• Support the development of briefing documents for each site outlining areas for improved LEx representation to inform child welfare and behavioral health practices.  

• Ensure a high level of customer service to internal and external stakeholders.  

• Support the Mental Health Center by providing high quality customer service and support to States, Tribes and Territories.  

Research & Data Collection. 

• Research and review existing secondary data (articles, reports, surveys) to inform community engagement activities.  

• Assist in the collection and coordination of the compilation of the Mental Health Center’s data as needed for the Data Dashboard, state profiles, agency audits, response to requests from the Children’s Bureau, and other data shared externally.   

Additional Notes:

Work is expected to be performed remotely with the requirement of travel 1-2 times per year within the US to attend meetings and/or conferences. This position may require occasional evenings and weekends. NAA conducts background checks on all employees. This position is grant funded and is contingent on the award of continuation grant funds.

Benefits and Compensation:

The Behavioral Health Specialist salary is $50,000 - 55,000. As a member of our team, you will not only receive a competitive salary and a generous benefits package including a gold health plan, dental & vision insurance (100% employer paid for employees!); employer retirement plan contribution; and professional development opportunities, among others. You will also enjoy your work - knowing you are a part of a dedicated group of professionals making an impact.

NAA is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to a diverse workforce.  We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability. 

How to Apply:

No phone calls please. Apply online at Behavioral Health Specialist with a cover letter and resume by February 3, 2025.

Please note - applications without cover letters will not be considered.

About NAA:

Founded in 1982 under the name Adoption Exchange Association, the National Adoption Association is the country's premier national association of adoption professionals and organizations. NAA is the only national association focused exclusively on supporting the educational needs of those in the adoption profession. The organization serves adoption exchanges, private child-placing agencies, and public child welfare systems by engaging members in national discussions to eliminate barriers to foster care adoption and share best practices. Our mission is leaders advancing best practices in adoption from foster care. Our vision is to build the premier network of professionals and agencies to create innovative strategies and solutions so that every child has a permanent loving family. www.adoptnaa.org

NAA Racial Equity Statement:

As leaders in child welfare, we recognize systemic racism creates disparities that negatively impact our staff as well as the children and families we serve. NAA is committed to listening, learning, and taking actions to advance racial equity by:

·       Continually and intentionally recruiting, hiring, and supporting diverse staff, including consultants and vendors;

·       Using a racial equity lens in all of our programmatic work;

·       Evaluating our organizational policies and procedures to ensure that they are antiracist[1];

·       Allowing staff to be their authentic selves.

[1] Anti-Racism is defined as the work of actively opposing racism by advocating for changes in political, economic, and social life. Anti-racism tends to be an individualized approach and set up in opposition to individual racist behaviors and impacts.  Source: ProInspire sourcedRace Reporting Guide by Race Forward_V1.1.pdf