MH Program Specialist 1 - CASSP Coordinator

Salary : $55,612.00 Annually

Location : Bethlehem, PA

Job Type : Full time

Job Number : 2025-00090E

Department : Human Services

Division : Mental Health

Opening Date : 02 / 28 / 2025

Closing Date : 3 / 13 / 2025 5 : 00 PM Eastern

Application Requirements

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must successfully submit a completed application prior to the posting deadline. Applications submitted with incomplete or missing education and / or work experience sections will be considered incomplete and disqualified from consideration. The attachment of a resume to the application does not fulfill this requirement and will not prevent incomplete applications from being rejected.

BE SURE YOUR APPLICATION REFLECTS YOUR ENTIRE WORK HISTORY AS YOUR RESUME IS NOT REVIEWED TO QUALIFY YOU

Please answer any supplemental questions truthfully and completely. Use the employment history section of your application to substantiate your answers to supplemental questions.

Once the posting closes, all applications will be reviewed. The information provided on the application will be utilized to determine whether or not each applicant meets the minimum requirements for this position. Please read the Minimum Requirements thoroughly and then demonstrate that you meet these requirements on your application. Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements will not be considered for the position.

Qualified, eligible applicants will move on to the next step, an Education and Experience Review, in which points will be assigned to each applicant's education and relevant work experience provided on their application.

We encourage all applicants to share a comprehensive, concise history of their education, certification, licensing, and employment on their employment application so that we are able to accurately assess their experience. Eligible candidates will be ranked on an Eligibility List based on their total score on the Education and Experience Review.

For questions regarding this posting, please contact County of Northampton Human Resources at dhsjobs@norcopa.gov or 610-829-6366.

Equal Employment Opportunities - It is the policy of Northampton County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, sex, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability, or any other status protected by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and any other state, federal, or local law.

Job Description

GENERAL PURPOSE

The MH Program Specialist 1 - CASSP Coordinator position is an administrative position responsible for the monitoring and oversight of Child and Adolescent Social Service Program (CASSP).

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

This position reports directly to the IRES Director.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

This position may be responsible for the supervision of professional, sub-professional, and clerical staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF THE POSITION

Chairs and coordinates CASSP review meetings when an out of home, residential mental health placement is recommended. Receives and reviews all referrals for the CASSP meeting. Facilitates Review Team meetings by scheduling the time and place of meetings, inviting appropriate participants, leading the meetings, encouraging participation of all members, modeling the CASSP values, writing all parts of the funding packet. Ensures that community based service options have been considered and / or exhausted prior to approval of a placement. Develops a process which includes the CASSP Review Team to insure that discharge planning is addressed from the very onset of admission to a residential facility.

Provides supporting documentation for all initial residential referral applications. Faxes applications to Magellan for review, faxes application to AIP or facility requesting CASSP meeting if member has private insurance in addition to Magellan for bed search. Assists with a bed search if the member has private insurance and the referral is received from outpatient provider such as doctor's office or community organization (Merakey, Pinebrook, etc.).

Contacts all relevant team members for CASSP meeting. Schedule the meeting with family, community members, CYF, NC Developmental Programs, schools, NC Children's MH and Magellan. Explain meeting process to family and community members. Follow-up with families concerning the outcome and provide information on contacting RTF's as well as Magellan grievance process.

Works in conjunction with County Agencies such as : Northampton County CYF, Northampton County JPO, Northampton County Children's Mental Health, and Northampton County Developmental Programs, and acts as a liaison between Magellan and Human Services departments.

Reviews who takes the lead in cases involving CYF, JPO, MH, and DP. Is a back-up and provides information to CYF, JPO, MH, and DP staff when their Program Specialist is unavailable concerning case status.

Promotes local efforts to integrate services for children and families through membership on key local coalitions, steering committees, planning groups and advisory boards (e.g., CHA, SAP, and Magellan). Encourages and models the CASSP values. Researches, encourages and facilitates innovative collaborative planning and decision-making regarding services for children and families by presenting research findings, sharing new techniques, and providing speakers. Facilitates multi-system and complex case planning meetings as needed. Able to provide regular updates regarding local state and national CASSP news and activities.

Assists in the development of quality assurance measures and other instruments / procedures designed to evaluate outcomes / program effectiveness.

Promotes the CASSP values County-wide by coordinating, developing and providing education, training and consultation in the areas of interagency planning, parent-professional partnerships, attention deficits, early intervention, transition services, cultural competency, and others.

Attends conferences, training sessions, and regional CASSP meetings.

Serves as the County contact for Student Assistance Program for Mental Health & Drug & Alcohol Divisions. In this capacity, they will coordinate referrals for services deemed appropriate as a result of the MH and / or D&A screening and assessment. Provides case management services, as needed, to all children / adolescents identified through the SAP process.

Provides Case Management Services, makes referrals, and authorizes services as needed.

Collaborates with the contracted SAP liaison(s) to assure all students referred to SAP are referred to appropriate services in the community.

Maintains confidentiality at all times while performing all duties and responsibilities in accordance with current regulations and policies covering client records.

Performs other related duties as required.

• An employee assigned to this title shall perform a majority, but may not perform all, of the duties listed in this job description. Conversely, minor level duties performed on the job may not be listed. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE - Two (2) years of professional level experience in the field of mental health and a bachelor's degree; OR

Any equivalent combination of experience and training.

Employee assigned to this title will be required to possess and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle operator's license. Must have an acceptable driving record. Personal vehicle required for County business, employee is eligible for mileage reimbursement.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of the principles and practices of mental health program planning and development as it relates to the implementation of direct services and operational procedures in County MH / DP Programs.

Knowledge of modern basic management principles and practices.

Knowledge of current social, economic, and health problems and resources as it relates to the field of mental health.

Knowledge of the basic principles and methods involved in working with socially maladjusted or physically or mentally disabled adults and / or children.

Knowledge of the structure, organization, and methods of public and private mental health agencies and institutions.

Knowledge of the principles and methods applied to collecting, reviewing, analyzing, and interpreting statistical data.

Knowledge of federal, state and county legislation, policies and procedures related to the mental health delivery system.

Ability to analyze and evaluate program plans and operations and make recommendations leading toward policy and method determination.

Ability to aid in the development and coordination of mental health program plans.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with public and private contract providers, community groups, and county and state officials and agency staff.

Ability to make clear and pertinent statements, orally and in writing.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

Telephone, personal computer (including word processing and spreadsheet software), calculator, writing implements, fax machine, copy machine, and paper shredder.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, talk or hear.

The employee must occasionally lift and / or move up to 25 pounds.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

The noise level in the office is moderately quiet. Employee may also work in other work environments to include, schools, businesses, public spaces, mobile outreach vehicle, and other community agencies. Work environment can range from quiet to loud.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application, rating of education and experience, interview, and reference check as well as job related tests may be required.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

FLSA STATUS : FLSA EXEMPT (NOT ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME)

DESIGNATION : HUMAN SERVICES

PAY GRADE : HS-39

UNION STATUS : NON-UNION

Created February 2025

Full-time employees of the County of Northampton are afforded a package of benefits which includes the following :

Medical Insurance

Vision and Prescription

Dental

Life Insurance

Retirement

I. Medical Insurance

Coverage begins for the employee the first of the month following full-time employment for employees and their eligible dependents. Cost to the employee to participate in the plans varies by the coverage selection and number of dependents; and may be subject to collective bargaining, if a union member. The employee may also elect to opt out of the County's medical insurance if proof of coverage through the spouse's employer is provided. Under this arrangement, the employee is provided with an annual $1,500.00 opt out payment.

II. Vision and Prescription

Coverage begins for the employee the first of the month following full-time employment for employees and their eligible dependents. Copayments may vary, subject to collective bargaining, if a union member. Coverage under the vision plan varies and depends upon the employee's choice of doctor and frame selection.

III. Dental Coverage

Coverage begins for the employee the first of the month following full-time employment for employees and their eligible dependents. Copayments may vary, subject to collective bargaining, if a union member.

IV. Life Insurance

A life insurance policy is afforded to full-time employees beginning on the first day of employment, unless specified differently in a collective bargaining agreement. It remains in effect as long as the employee is actively employed and terminates upon resignation or retirement. $20,000 is afforded to all eligible employees.

V. Retirement

All full-time employees and part-time employees working more than 1000 hours per year qualify for County of Northampton retirement benefits, in which employees must contribute 5% of their earnings, and employees may choose to add additional voluntary contributions, not to exceed an additional 10%. Additionally, employees may participate in an optional deferred compensation plan (457(b)) which may provide present tax advantages and future retirement savings. Such arrangements are made directly with the providers and the County will administer payroll deductions only.

Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the applicant screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and that your responses can be verified from information included within the application?

Information to demonstrate your eligibility for this position must be provided on the application (i.e. relevant detailed experience and education). Resumes and cover letters will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for this position. Please click "yes" to demonstrate that you have read and understood this information.

Do you possess a valid and current driver's license with an acceptable driving record?

What is your highest level of education? (Note : This position requires a bachelor's degree. If you do not have a bachelor's degree, four years of professional mental health experience can substitute a four-year bachelor's degree; an additional two years' experience if you have an associate's degree.)

Do you have two (2) years of professional level experience in the field of mental health? Note : This experience must be detailed on your application in order to qualify.

Required Question

Salary : $1,500 - $55,612