The Health Services Department is requesting to add one Mental Health Program Supervisor position, three Mental Health Specialist I positions and two Mental Health Specialist II positions. These positions are needed to re-establish the Mentor Program, which provides non-traditional mental health services in community-based settings. Services are aimed at helping clients develop coping skills for their mental health conditions and overcome behavioral challenges that interfere with family, school, and community functioning. Mentorship services also include family-based interventions aimed at helping parents and caregivers find better ways to manage their loved one’s mental health conditions. Mentors will be stationed at the regional clinics and will closely coordinate their activities with the primary clinicians and the Wraparound team.  
  
The new positions will provide mentor services to a case load of children and adolescents. Duties include developing service plans with clients; evaluating psychological, economic, vocational, educational, physical health, socialization, and housing needs; conducting individual, group and family counseling sessions; consulting with clients, families, other professional staff, and community agencies regarding recommendations for services, discharge, and follow-up planning; performs crisis intervention to provide support and assistance in problem resolution; monitoring, supporting and assisting clients on a regular basis in developing or maintaining the skills required to achieve age appropriate functioning; and other related duties. The Mental Health Program Supervisor position will oversee the program and supervise staff.

If this action is not approved, the Mentor Program within Behavioral Health Division will not have adequate staffing to provide non-traditional mental health services to clients in the community.