Healthy Minds Policy Initiative, a fund of the Tulsa Community Foundation, is a nonpartisan team of policy and mental health experts who work to end untreated mental illness and addiction in Oklahoma through large-scale policy and practice transformation. The organization was founded by The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation in 2019. 

Since its inception, Healthy Minds has published dozens of pieces of original research and analysis, helped secure tens of millions of dollars in competitive funding for Oklahoma’s behavioral health care system, and initiated more than a dozen community-based partnerships committed to ending untreated mental illness and substance use. Healthy Minds provides data, consultation, and education on best practices to Oklahoma legislators and other leaders committed to improving the mental health of all Oklahomans.

JOB PURPOSE

The Associate Director of Community and Systems Initiatives is responsible for convening and facilitating multisector coalitions to improve the continuum of mental health services available in Oklahoma communities. This includes using a public health approach to lead system change initiatives — in partnership with treatment organizations, community groups, educational institutions, and local officials — through collaborative, data-driven change processes that result in improvements to service delivery, best-practice strategies that contribute to positive mental health, and population-level mental health outcomes. As a senior staff member within the Community and Systems Initiatives division of Healthy Minds, the successful candidate will both plan and implement strategies to achieve divisional goals and will become a visible and trusted leader both internally and externally. This position reports to the Director of Community and Systems Initiatives and is expected to manage assigned staff members.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Under the supervision of the Director of Community and Systems Initiatives, independently oversee and execute a public health approach for improving population-level mental health outcomes in specific communities, including facilitating committees, performing needs assessments, and conducting strategic planning
• Work collaboratively with external leaders in sectors that include government, public safety, education, health care, and social services to identify needs, goals, and strategies to develop a more robust continuum of mental health care
• Interpret public health data and other data relevant to community- or system-level mental health goals
• Develop and execute strategies to guide Healthy Minds’ work with organizations and in communities
• Create and deliver training, technical assistance, and professional learning opportunities aligned with organizational and community goals
• Develop financing and sustainability strategies and initiatives to boost service delivery capacity in communities, working collaboratively with Healthy Minds’ policy research and organizational advancement teams
• Identify and champion national and state evidence-based models for mental health and substance abuse services
• Liaise with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and other state and community agencies to leverage resources for optimal impact
• Create opportunities for communities, organizations, and agencies around local program development and design
• Conduct research and be aware of established and emerging best practices for addressing mental health and substance use needs at a community level
• Write grant applications, provide technical assistance to community partners writing grant applications, and coordinate team-based resource development activities to advance goals
• Produce written research for publication on Healthy Minds’ website and/or for partnership projects
• Review state legislative agenda and proposals to provide feedback on impacts to mental health and substance use
• Effectively document work, maintain records, and produce reports in accordance with Healthy Minds’ procedures and using prescribed project management software

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

The Associate Director of Community and Systems Initiatives should be an expert in a public health approach to mental health outcomes that includes a working knowledge of best-practice programs, policies, and population-level approaches. In addition, a successful candidate is well-versed in an evidence-based behavioral health continuum of care and understands the ways in which adjacent systems interact with this continuum. This position should also demonstrate an ability to understand and draw conclusions from community and system data; an understanding of public funding mechanisms; a familiarity with federal grant processes and requirements; an understanding of the internal operation of behavioral health service systems; and an ability to mobilize support for initiatives among providers, government agencies, and other stakeholders. This position requires experience in technical assistance and capacity building, relationship management techniques, group facilitation tactics, and the ability to coach other team members in these skills.

Education and experience

• Master’s degree or higher required in social sciences, administration, or directly related coursework or post-degree certification(s)
• At least five years of experience in policy, funding, administration, and/or government agencies related to mental health and/or addiction
• Experience executing initiatives aiming to measurably improve behavioral healthcare access and outcomes

Desired strengths and abilities

• Effective communication — ability to speak to a broad range of audiences; comfortable working in partnership with diverse populations and knowledge of a wide subject matter
• Strategic thinking and innovation — ability to reason and solve problems in high-pressure situations; recognize strategic opportunities for systems change; introduce new tactics or approaches that significantly improve or revise existing systems
• Collaborative — must be skilled in facilitating, staffing meetings, and developing buy-in
• Customer-focused — able to work effectively with clients in using evaluation to meet their needs; able to be flexible in applying evaluation methodologies
• Strong organizational and planning skills
• Strong writing ability
• Ability to speak the language of public health and behavioral health, know the challenges and current issues particularly related to mental health needs and services, and approach them with optimism, integrity, and passion for creating real change.

Other skills and requirements

• Detail oriented and organized
• Advanced knowledge of MS Office Suite, especially Excel and Outlook
• Experience working with computer applications for organizational communication and organization, such as Teams and Outlook
• Committed to achieving results, and continuous learning, and growth
• Ability to work remotely with internet access 
• Ability to work regularly from an established office in Tulsa or Oklahoma City during traditional work hours

Salary

• $90,000 - $100,000 depending on education and experience.

About our Benefits

As part of our overall compensation package, we offer work/life flexibility, comprehensive health benefits, paid time off, and a generous retirement contributions designed to support you and your family.

Details:

• 100% employer paid medical, dental, and long-term disability for full-time employees only. Option to add vision and dependents.
• 401K employee and employer contributions.
• Paid time off to support you while you are out of the office.
• Paid holidays so our employees can spend time with those they care about.
• Employer paid AD&D life insurance, with employee options to add supplemental life insurance.