School Mental Health Initiative Coordinator

SCHOOL MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE COORDINATOR

Keystone Learning Services / Northeast Kansas Education Service Center USD 608  

POSITION: School Mental Initiative Coordinator
DEPARTMENT: School Mental Health Initiative
LOCATION: Keystone Learning Services
REPORTS TO: Project Director

This position is open and will remain posted until filled.

Purposes:
The Technical Assistance Support Network (TASN), of which SMHI is a part, supports school districts in Kansas to meet the needs of students to enable them to be served in the least restrictive environment. The TASN SMHI Coordinator, via the SPDG (School Personnel Development Grant), provides technical assistance to school personnel to improve their capacity to support children/youth with mental health needs. Keystone Learning Services is the fiscal agent and works in collaboration with the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) to manage the project. In collaboration with KSDE and TASN professional development infrastructure, the coordinator will lead the effort to develop, scale-up, and sustain a multi-tiered system of evidenced-based school mental health interventions.

Essential Functions:

Create, support, and maintain a positive climate for optimal team functioning.

Facilitate and/or manage team and large-scale/regional professional development.

Collaborate with the following entities and groups:

Kansas Parent Information Resource Center to integrate family engagement practices into the Kansas school mental health professional development, coaching and evaluation process and materials. 

Kansas IDEA State Parent and Training Information Center, Families Together, Inc. to provide evidence-based training to families on being decision-making members of their childs educational team.

Project Director and SMHI team members on effectiveness of training and interventions.

TASN Evaluation team to evaluate the effectiveness of the project and support the SMHI Project outcomes and scope of work.

District and building-level administrators and staff

TASN Coordination and other TASN projects

Kansas State Department of Education, Special Educational Services Team

Connect with subject matter experts to help guide the design of integrated systems of evidenced-based school mental health practices within a multi-tier system of support.

Support SMHI team members with the following project-related functions:

Develop, refine, and deliver professional learning, technical assistance, and guidance for trauma-responsive policies and practices, and evidence-based interventions through collaboration among school and community providers.

Monitor progress and gather data-driven feedback from District-Community Leadership Teams.  

Guide a structured process implemented by multidisciplinary teams for recognizing, assessing, identifying, and responding to students experiencing mental health difficulties.

Identify and share evidence-based practices for school mental health in the areas of curriculum, assessments, and interventions.

Help create systems of evidence-based, multi-tier, trauma-informed mental health interventions, implemented with fidelity.

Develop and sustain a statewide coaching cadre to provide ongoing coaching across Kansas communities from early childhood through high school.

Design and delivery of professional learning activities via virtual platforms, disseminated and available to all Kansas communities.

Ensure alignment of SMHI and Kansas Multi-Tier System of Supports and Alignment projects and practices.

When requested, provide data to other TASN projects and KSDE for supporting districts.

Participate in TASN quarterly meetings, other TASN management events, and annual SPDG conference.

When requested, create presentations for professional development events (i.e., KSDE Leadership Conference, Quarterly TASN meeting, NASDSE, SEDMAG) and evaluate the effectiveness of each event. 

Other Functions: Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

JOB REQUIREMENTS 

Minimum Qualifications: 

Experience with small and large group facilitation

Knowledge of the principles of adult learning, current education research, relevant practices, systems change, results-based staff development, and basic evaluation techniques

Collaborate, build, and maintain relationships in a remote working environment 

Collaboratively analyze issues and create action plans, using data to align with organizational objectives 

Adapt to changing work priorities

Use strong communication, emotional intelligence, written, and verbal skills

Proficiency with Google Workspace applications and Microsoft Office (Office 365, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Work Environment: 

Project employees maintain a home office with equipment, communication, and travel support provided. The work environment averages 80% remote with up to 15% overnight travel required.

Hours can be irregular.

The usual and customary methods of performing the jobs functions require the following physical demands: occasional lifting and carrying up to twenty (20) pounds, some pushing, and/or pulling. Generally, the job requires 80% sitting, 15% walking, and 5% standing. 

Core Requirements:

Experience: Two or more years of leadership/administration experiences in a related field. Previous mental health provider and leader preferred. Team facilitation and/or management of large-scale/regional professional development experience.

Education: A professional college degree and related licensure (and maintenance thereof) with extensive experience in the field, clinical licensure preferred

Equivalency: Required testing certificates and licenses (and maintenance thereof)

Drivers license and evidence of insurability

Continuing Education/Training Clearances

Terms of Employment: 12-month contract to be completed between July 1 and June 30

Employer Information

The mission of Keystone Learning Services is to forge educational partnerships through innovation and leadership to provide quality services that produce independent learners. We achieve this mission due in large part to the outstanding people we employ! Our staff is comprised of people who want to help students achieve their dreams and work in a positive and progressive environment.

Keystone hires special education teachers, related service providers, and paraeducators for eight USDs including: Atchison County Community Schools #377, Jefferson County North #339, Jefferson West #340, McLouth #342, Oskaloosa #341, Perry-Lecompton #343, Valley Falls #338 and Easton #449. We also hire special education administrators to assist schools with planning, training, and supervision all staff and oversee compliance monitoring. The member districts are located in the beautiful countryside surrounding Lake Perry including portions of Douglas, Jackson, Jefferson, and Atchison Counties. 

In addition to special education services for the member districts, Keystone also provides services including: Tiny K programs in 7 counties, internet and technology services, comprehensive staff development, Parents as Teachers in 21 school districts, hosts WebKIDSS IEP Consortium, John Dewey Learning Academy, and fiscal manager of KSDE Technical Assistance System Network (TASN), Autism and Tertiary Behavior Support (ATBS), and Kansas MTSS. 

We have a wonderful partnership with our member districts and unmatched community support for education.  The diverse scope of services offered here pairs personalized small-town services with state-of-the-art educational technology making Keystone Learning Services and Northeast Kansas a great choice!

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