Policy Associate

The Policy Associate provides critical support to the Community Mental Health CORE (Collaboration, Outreach, Research, and Equity) team to achieve its goals of improving access, equity and sustainability of high-quality mental health care, with a particular focus on mental health policy, systems, and advocacy. Works collaboratively with the project team to improve health, mental health, and other outcomes for children and families in Washington, DC and the metropolitan area. Engages with community, healthcare leaders, direct service providers, and families to improve the city's and region's mental health continuum of care for children and families, and promote positive and healthy development of children.

Provides support to the Community Mental Health CORE (Collaboration, Outreach, Research, and Equity) team, with a particular focus on mental health policy, systems, and advocacy. Works collaboratively with the project team to improve health, mental health, and other outcomes for children and families in Washington, DC. Engages with community, healthcare leaders, direct service providers, and families to improve the city's mental health continuum of care for children and families, and promote positive and healthy development of children.

Minimum Education
Bachelor's Degree In related field preferred (e.g., public policy, public administration, public health, psychology, education) (Required)

Minimum Work Experience
3 years Experience working collaboratively with multi-disciplinary team (Required)
3 years Experience in child health (Preferred)

Required Skills/Knowledge
Experience working collaboratively with multi-disciplinary team

Functional Accountabilities
Policy Research, Analysis, Synthesis and Communication

• Researches, tracks, analyzes, synthesizes, and summarizes legislative, regulatory and public policy issues affecting the Community Mental Health team

• Research and support development of materials, including drafting and editing written materials, such as formal papers, memos, PowerPoints, testimony and comment letters

• Assists in the preparation of materials to communicate relevant policy issues to stakeholders

• Maintains understanding of advances in child and family mental health area(s) of responsibility and incorporates into work

• Works with staff and partners to identify and address system barriers

• Recommend and participate in development of new processes and systems to meet policy initiative and team needs

Policy Liaison

• Works collaboratively and serves as liaison with policy leaders, healthcare providers, researchers and multidisciplinary staff, as well as with community agencies and partners

• Represents the Community Mental Health team's interests in relevant internal and external coalitions and meetings

• Provides detail-oriented program coordination to Community Mental Health team policy initiatives

• Communicates barriers, challenges and any other issues that affect progress

• Occasional contact with elected leaders & public officials, as requested

Administrative Support

• Coordinate teleconferences, meetings and events

• Draft minutes and collate feedback from meetings

• Create reports and other documents as needed for internal and external audiences
• Participates in bi-weekly supervision and relevant staff meetings and events
• Anticipate and responds to customer needs; follows up until needs are met

Teamwork/Communication

• Demonstrate collaborative and respectful behavior

• Partner with all team members to achieve goals

• Receptive to others' ideas and opinions

Performance Improvement/Problem-solving

• Contribute to a positive work environment

• Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to change

• Identify opportunities to improve clinical and administrative processes

• Make appropriate decisions, using sound judgment

Cost Management/Financial Responsibility

• Use resources efficiently

• Search for less costly ways of doing things

Safety

• Speak up when team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performance

• Continuously validate and verify information needed for decision making or documentation

• Stop in the face of uncertainty and takes time to resolve the situation

• Demonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communication

• Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors and co-workers

• Attend carefully to important details - practicing Stop, Think, Act and Review in order to self-check behavior and performance