Mental Health Coordinator

NYC Administration for Children's Services; New York (NY); On-site; USD 69,000 - 93,000; Full time

Job summary

The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) is seeking a Mental Health Coordinator for the Office of Child and Family Health in NYC. You will support foster children admitted to acute inpatient psychiatric care and coordinate with hospital treatment teams and case planners.

Reporting to the MHCU Supervisor, you will track data, prepare notes, assist with discharge planning, and participate in cross-system trainings to improve outcomes for youth and families.

Qualifications

• Five years of full-time mental health experience in government or community settings.
• 2–3 years supervisory experience within a team environment.
• MSW with LCSW/LMSW licensure or equivalent clinical degree; knowledge of trauma and adolescent needs.

Responsibilities

• Serve as liaison for children, families, providers, and hospitals to ensure timely, appropriate care.
• Participate in case conferences and coordinate discharge planning and follow-up.
• Track attendance, notes, and reports; support cross-systems trainings and collaboration.

Skills

Mental health

Supervisory experience

Interagency coordination

Communication

Education

Master of Social Work with LCSW/LMSW licensure

Tools

Connections

Outlook

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL BE OFFERED A SALARY OF $81,144.00.

THIS POSITION IS ONLY OPEN TO CANDIDATES WHO ARE PERMAMENT (NOT PROVISIONAL) IN THE CIVIL SERVICE TITLE LISTED.

The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) protects and promotes the safety and well-being of New York City’s children and families by providing child welfare, juvenile justice, and early care services. In child welfare, ACS contracts with private nonprofit organizations to support and stabilize families at risk of a crisis through family (preventive) services and provides foster care services for children not able to safely remain at home. Each year, the agency’s Division of Child Protection responds to more than 50,000 reports of suspected child abuse or neglect. In juvenile justice, ACS manages and funds services including detention and placement, intensive community-based alternatives for youth, and support services for families. ACS is also a key part of NYC’s early childhood and education continuum, providing childcare assistance to thousands of child welfare involved and low-income children so they can access safe, affordable, quality care.

The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) Office of Child and Family Health (OCFH) delivers direct medical care to children entering foster care, clinical support and guidance to child welfare staff, and ensures that the physical and mental health care provided to children and youth in ACS custody is comprehensive and appropriate. Within OCFH, the Mental Health Coordination Unit (MHCU) is responsible for tracking acute inpatient psychiatric hospitalizations of children (under 18) in ACS custody and coordinating related case planning activity. The team also provides assistance, guidance, advocacy, and support to case planners and provider agency staff. In addition, MHCU is responsive to the needs of partners in the mental health system, hospitals, and other stakeholders. MHCU works closely with other divisions and offices within ACS including Family Permanency Services, Child Protection, Youth and Family Justice, Family Court Legal Services, and Office of the General Counsel.

Reporting to the MHCU Supervisor, the Mental Health Coordinator will provide real-time, informed, and thorough recommendations on behalf of foster children and adolescents admitted in acute inpatient psychiatric hospitals. Weekend and after-hours coverage for all duties is required and will be provided on a rotational basis.

Specific duties will include but will not be limited to:

• Serve as a liaison for children/families, case planning entities, providers, and hospitals so that all mental health treatment needs and discharge plans are timely, individualized, appropriate, comprehensive, and realistic.
• Participate in case conferences/meetings/calls with foster care agencies, ACS case planning units and hospital treatment teams as needed in order to provide a combined child welfare and mental health care perspective. Focus on addressing child and family needs and concerns.
• Join team and staff meetings, monthly meetings with foster care agencies, and every other month meetings with New York State Office of Mental Health and hospitals.
• Assist with tracking attendance, note-taking, and cover meetings when the director and supervisor are not available.
• Negotiate/advocate with hospital treatment and management teams, service providers, and state/city agencies in order to help case planning agencies/entities access the most appropriate treatment settings and services for children and their families.
• Obtain and review discharge summaries to help guide child welfare personnel regarding follow-up recommendations and aftercare appointments, with the goal of reducing readmission rates.
• Attend and help organize cross-systems and inter-agency forums/trainings/presentations to enhance practice, responsiveness, collaboration and understanding.
• Use an electronic application system to track and enter data, prepare and submit accurate and timely notes and reports, create/complete/maintain/file physical or electronic case records, and monitor activities associated with case planning/hospital visits/service coordination for children receiving acute inpatient psychiatric care.
• Provide performance-based feedback regarding contracted providers, outreach and training, support/supervision/coverage, and obtain information as needed.
• Complete special projects and other duties as assigned or deemed necessary.

Preferred Skills

Candidates with five years of full-time experience in mental health, counseling, or clinical social work in a government agency or community-based organization, and 2-3 years supervisory experience, including the ability to work within a team environment and experience in developing effective professional relationships will be strongly considered. In addition, the preferred candidates should also possess the following: a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree including registration as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW), or a Master’s degree in Psychology with a license, or other clinical licensure; knowledge of the mental health and hospital system, and psychiatric practice and terminology; knowledge of the impact of trauma on emotions and behavior; understanding of adolescent development and special mental health issues including: dual diagnoses (mental illness with complex substance abuse and/or developmental disability) and behavior problems (problematic sexual behavior, conduct disorder, violent/aggressive behavior); knowledge of the foster care system, permanency goals, and placement options; experience in program evaluation, data collection and management; willingness to travel to acute psychiatric hospitals throughout NYC’s five boroughs and adjacent areas. The preferred candidate should possess excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills. They will be capable of working in a fast-paced, professional environment requiring adherence to deadlines. The ideal candidate should have strong organizational and analytical skills, and familiarity with virtual platforms. Knowledge of Connections, LTS, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and Word is essential.

Additional Info

Section 424-A of the New York Social Services Law requires an authorized agency to inquire whether a candidate for employment with child-caring responsibilities has been the subject of a child abuse and maltreatment report.

The Administration for Children’s Services is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing access to all individuals. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact Simone Campbell at [e-mail] or [phone]

Note: The original post includes additional information about benefits and qualifications; this content remains as part of the job description, including mentions of 55a Program, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and Residency requirements. It also references a salary range at the end: $75,244.00 – $156,045.00.