The School Liaison works under the leadership of the Program Manager of Liaison Services and is responsible for providing crisis related services to children, adolescents, and their families in Denton County. Job duties include face to face risk of harm assessments and hospital aftercares within Denton County at a secure location and responding to needed telephone interventions. This staff will complete case management and continuity of care services for youth. This position also provides mental health awareness education and training to students, school staff, and families, alongside the Continuity of Care Liaison. This position works under moderate supervision, with latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. The School Liaison should be an empathetic, creative, and resourceful individual. They should be flexible and committed to supporting children with behavioral challenges or various mental health diagnoses. 

This is a SMART Innovation grant funded position ending in September of 2026. Continued employment in this role is contingent upon the availability of additional funding. If further funding is not secured, the position will end on September 31, 2026. 

Education, Training, and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in a human services field (qualifying as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP)) required.
• Experience Requires experience working with individuals diagnosed with a mental illness and experience with crisis intervention services.
• Master's Degree in a human service-related field preferred.
• Preferred experience in a community mental health center and/or hospital setting.

Registration, Certification, Licensure, and Other Qualifications

• Must have and maintain a background and criminal history free from any disqualifying offenses as outlined by the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) and the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and automobile insurance.

• Individuals with an out-of-state driver's license must be able to obtain a driver's license in the state of Texas within thirty (30) days.

•   Successful completion of all position-specific training within thirty (30) days of employment is required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to program areas.
• Knowledge and background in mental health services, experience working with C&A population preferred.
• Knowledge of serious and persistent mental disorders, personality disorders and substance use/dependence disorders encompassed in the DSM-5-TR.
• Proficient reading, writing, interpersonal relations, and communicative skills; ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.
• Skills in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems and in operating computers and applicable computer software
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and in group situations.
• Highly effective at working objectively with a diverse group of people and must demonstrate communication, organizational, administrative skills.
• Ability to make decisions based on education preparation and/or clinical experience, which reflect consistency with Center philosophy, policies and procedures, and standards of care for both the Center and local psychiatric hospitals in which the Center contracts with.
• Ability to display regular and reliable (in-person, if required) attendance.
• Understanding and practice of Trauma Informed Care principles.

Essential Duties

The following list outlines key responsibilities for the position; however, it is not exhaustive and does not encompass all responsibilities. Additional duties may be assigned as needed.

1.  Provides moderately complex case management/skills training services to child and adolescents in Denton County.

2.  Acts as liaison between the Center and schools within Denton County.

o  Responds to emails and phone calls from school staff regarding discharges within 1 hour of receipt.

  i.  Reaches out to supervisor for assistance as needed.

o  Attends treatment team meetings for individuals served as needed.

3.  Provides community education and training as needed.

o  Educates school students and faculty regarding mental health resources.

o  Creates presentations and presents to various community partners regarding mental health related topics.

4.  Completes community-based visits as required to make contact with individuals served.

5.  Completes aftercare appointments with youth (K-12) who have been recently released from psychiatric hospitals. 

o  Aftercare appointments should be completed day of discharge, however, may be scheduled for the next business day at the request of the individual served or collateral.

  i.  The individual served must at minimum be spoken with on day of discharge, along with collateral to ensure no current risk is being reported and medication needs are met.

o  At each aftercare appointment a Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) Since Last Visit Form will be completed to assess for risk and potential need for a risk of harm assessment.

o  At each aftercare appointment the following should occur:

  i.  All required paperwork and tasks will be completed.

1.  Child and Adolescent Needs and Strength Assessment (CANS)

2.  Person Centered Recovery Plan

3.  Case manager assignment and attempt to introduce the individual to their case manager same day

4.  Communication via email with case manager, appropriate managers, and appropriate staff

5.  Facilitate completion of Satisfaction Survey, regarding their stay at the hospital

6.  Provide referrals as needed

7.  Coordinate with clinic to schedule psychiatric evaluation for the individual served who will be continuing services with the Center

a.  Assure appropriate hospital discharge information, including discharge medication, is communicated at the time of scheduling this appointment

8.  Upload discharge clinicals to the electronic health record

  ii.  For individuals who decline services with the Center add them to the appropriate tracker and follow up within 1 week for continuity of care.

1.  Call the individual/legally authorized representative to complete follow up.

2.  Send caring contact (letter) to individuals after the phone call.

3.  Provide client crisis hotline and 988 number.

  iii.  For individuals moving to out of Denton County location, provide 988 and local mental health authority (LMHA) crisis hotline number.

1.  Follow up via phone within one week to ensure continuity of care.

6.  Completes risk of harm assessments as needed for child and adolescents in Denton County.

o  Responds to calls for risk of harm assessments within a maximum of ten (10) minutes.

  i.  Gathers information from the caller to determine need for risk of harm assessment.

o  Arrives at location within one (1) hour to complete risk of harm assessment.

  i.  Or ten (10) minutes if assessment is being completed virtually.

o  Determines least restrictive treatment environment in collaboration with individuals served, collateral, and other Center staff.

o  Carries out least restrictive treatment environment in collaboration with community partners.

  i.  Facilitate inpatient treatment as needed.

  ii.  Facilitate transportation as needed.

o  Completes child and adolescent needs and strengths assessment at time of risk of harm assessment, as needed.

o  Ensures all appropriate parties are notified that risk of harm assessment took place.

7.  All documentation should be entered into the electronic health record within 2 business days, in compliance with Center procedure.

o  For documentation involving crisis situations documentation requirements may be less than 2 business days, as determined by crisis leadership staff.

8.  Provide and facilitate transportation for individuals served, as needed.

9.  Is familiar with Texas Administrative Code, HHSC guidelines, and performance contract information to ensure compliance.

10.  Attends all scheduled meetings as assigned by supervisor.

11.  Is familiar with all Center Policies and Procedures to ensure compliance.

o  Reaches out to supervisor for clarification as needed.

12.  Participates in the Center's Zero Suicide Initiative.

o  Supports individuals experiencing a crisis by promptly connecting them with appropriate Center programs, such as the Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT), Psychiatric Triage, Crisis Prevention services, and/or other applicable resources. Ensures seamless coordination to facilitate timely intervention.

o  Remains with individuals, when deemed safe, to provide support and maintain a calm environment until specialized crisis staff or emergency personnel arrive to take over intervention efforts. Adheres to safety protocols to prevent escalation of the crisis situation.

o  Participates in debriefing sessions with the immediate supervisor or designated staff following a crisis event. Collaborates with the team to review the incident, identify lessons learned, and ensure all HHSC guidelines and Center policies are followed.

13.  Performs additional duties as deemed necessary by program manager or executive leadership.

14.  Participates in the Center's Zero Suicide Initiative.

o  Supports individuals experiencing a crisis by promptly connecting them with appropriate Center programs, such as the Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT), Psychiatric Triage, Crisis Prevention services, and/or other applicable resources. Ensure seamless coordination to facilitate timely intervention.

o  Remains with individuals, when deemed safe, to provide support and maintain a calm environment until specialized crisis staff or emergency personnel arrive to take over intervention efforts. Adheres to safety protocols to prevent escalation of the crisis situation.

o  Participates in debriefing sessions with the immediate supervisor or designated staff following a crisis event. Collaborate with the team to review the incident, identify lessons learned, and ensure all HHSC guidelines and Center policies are followed.