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Mental Health Practitioner

The WISD's Mission is to educate, serve, and advocate with students, families, schools and the community. We disrupt racial inequities, build just educational systems, and expand access for all learners. We value human potential while striving to support current and future generations of Washtenaw County to enrich as many lives as we possibly can.

The WISD’s Vision is to be a leader in empowering, facilitating, and delivering high-quality, boundary-spanning, educational system that educates all children through an equitable, inclusive, and holistic approach.

SUMMARY:

The Mental Health Practitioner is a grant-funded position assigned to work in partnership with the Community Mental Health and local school districts to support mental health needs impacting students in the education system. The Mental Health Practitioner leverages their extensive experience and honed skills to assess, support, and consult student teams, teaching staff, ancillary staff, and community partners on mental health best practices and strategies. This involves not only direct intervention but also the facilitation of knowledge transfer and skill-building among various stakeholders involved in the educational ecosystem. The practitioner serves as a liaison, bridging the gap between families, service providers, and community organizations, advocating for the well-being and success of the individuals they serve.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Demonstrates a strong commitment to equity, social justice, and inclusion in all practices and position responsibilities.
Demonstrates the ability to examine how his/her/their position (directly or indirectly) impacts educational inequities in student achievement outcomes.
Engages in reflection and ongoing learning and development on critical concepts and terms identified in the Washtenaw ISD Educational Equity Policy, including concepts such as cultural proficiency, racial equity, and systemic and structural inequities.
Supports the implementation and evaluation of school-based mental health programs and initiatives to address identified needs in collaboration with school administration, mental health professionals, and community partners.
Coordinates mental health services and support for students within the school setting, including referrals to external providers, counseling, therapy, and crisis intervention.
Conducts needs assessments to identify the mental health needs of students, families, and staff within the school community.
Collaborates with school staff, administrators, parents, community organizations, and mental health agencies to facilitate access to resources, coordinate services, and support a comprehensive approach to mental health promotion and intervention.
Provides case coordination support for students with complex mental health needs, including coordinating assessments, treatment plans, wraparound facilitation, and referrals to appropriate services.
Provides training and professional development opportunities for school staff on topics related to mental health awareness, such as trauma-informed practices, crisis intervention, and supporting students with diverse needs.
Collects and analyzes data on student mental health outcomes, program effectiveness, and service utilization to inform decision-making, evaluate program impact, and identify areas for improvement.
Organizes information and presents cogent descriptions or symptoms, history, and functioning of persons seeking services.
Provides data both orally and in written form to support decisions about diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
Supports and adherence to MDE’s policies and procedures related to school-based mental health services, ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards, as well as alignment with best practices and guidelines.
Engages families and community stakeholders in mental health promotion efforts, providing education, resources, and support to enhance understanding and awareness of mental health issues.
Advocates for the mental health needs of students within the school and community, raising awareness, promoting understanding, and advocating for policies and resources to support mental health promotion and intervention efforts.
Adheres to assigned Districts’ health and safety rules, policies, and procedures.
Supports WISD's vision and mission to enhance achievement for all students.
Supports a team-based approach to problem-solving.
Maintains regular, predictable attendance.
PERFORMS OTHER RELATED DUTIES AS ASSIGNED.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Alternative requirements that may be appropriate and acceptable to the Board of Education may be considered. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Licensed Master Social Work (LMSW) (LLMSW), Licensed Master’s level Professional Counselor (LPC), or Licensed Doctorate level Psychologist (PsyD/PhD in psychology).
4 years of clinical experience - preferred; Two years of clinical experience - required.
Experience working in K-12 setting preferred.
Knowledge of common mental health conditions, substance abuse conditions, and mental health treatments/supports.
Knowledge of behavioral and cognitive techniques and psychotherapeutic treatment interventions.
Knowledge of multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS)
Knowledge of universal behavioral supports and programs.
Knowledge and understanding of the Mental Health practitioner's role in a team environment.
Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Valid license (LMSW, LLMSW, LPC, PsyD) through the Michigan Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - required.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Demonstrates ability to effectively communicate and engage with elementary and secondary students.
Demonstrates ability to read, analyze, and interpret information, including assessments, periodicals and professional journals.
Demonstrates ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
Demonstrates ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of educators, parents, students and the general public.

TECHNICAL SKILLS:

Demonstrates ability to integrate technology into the everyday workflow as necessary.
Demonstrates ability to utilize District technology and work to maintain proficiency, as required skill sets change with technology and/or the needs of the District.
Demonstrates ability to use computer technology for research, data management, communications and other instruction.
Demonstrates ability to use a personal computer (PC) or MAC in a networked environment to utilize the Internet and other electronic communication mechanisms.
Demonstrates ability to utilize productivity applications such as Microsoft Office (word processing, spreadsheets, database and presentation software) as required.
Demonstrates ability to use computer technology for research, data management, communications and other instruction.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Demonstrates ability to apply the concepts of basic math, algebra and geometry consistent with the duties of this position.

REASONING ABILITY:

Demonstrates ability to select and administer appropriate assessment tools and interpret results of assessment.
Demonstrates a high proficiency in areas of reasoning, problem solving, organizational dynamics, and emotional intelligence.
Demonstrates ability to apply understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form.
Demonstrates ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Demonstrates ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

Demonstrates ability to build rapport with others and to serve diverse communities.
Demonstrates ability to take initiative, work well with others as a collaborative team member and exhibit good communication skills.
Demonstrates ability to work effectively and collaboratively with other departments, agencies and individuals.
Demonstrates ability to work creatively and skillfully with students.
Demonstrates ability to demonstrate initiative and understanding in working with students, staff and parents/guardians.
Exhibits the skills and desire to work in a collaborative team with others.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds such as books and teaching material or when assisting in student interventions. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distant vision and the ability to adjust focus. The ability to travel to other buildings is required. The position requires the individual to sometimes work irregular or extended work hours and meet multiple demands from several people. The ability to travel to other buildings is required.

ENVIRONMENTAL ADAPTABILITY:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is quiet to loud depending upon the activity in the particular part of the day. The employee is frequently required to interact with the public and other staff. The employee is directly responsible for the safety and well-being of students. The employee is exposed to infections at a greater risk than the average person. Occasionally the employee may be required to be outdoors for a short period of time, and therefore subject to varying weather conditions, for purposes of accomplishing the essential functions of this job.

FUNCTIONS OF POSITION DESCRIPTION:
This position description has been prepared to define the general duties of the position, provide examples of work and to detail the required knowledge, skills and ability as well as the acceptable experience and training for the position. The description is not intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct and control the duties of employees under supervision. The WISD retains and reserves any and all rights to change, modify, amend, add to or delete from any portion of this description in its sole judgment. This position description is not a contract for employment.

The WISD is an equal opportunity employer, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

TERMS:

Contract, salary and other employment conditions to be established by the Board of Education as reflected in the Non-Affiliated Staff Manual. Starting salary ranging (dependent upon experience) $87,653 - $107,724.

Washtenaw Intermediate School District is a drug-free workplace.

It is the policy and commitment of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, height, weight, familial status, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation or any legally protected characteristic, in its educational programs, activities, admissions, or employment policies in accordance with Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments, executive order 11246 as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and all other pertinent state and Federal regulations.