Director of Prevention and Community Health Programs

Job Details:

The Director of Prevention and Community Health Programs is responsible for leading and implementing strategic initiatives to advance pediatric mental health through multi-sector collaboration, policy development, and community engagement. This role involves orchestrating partnerships across primary care, health systems, education, government, and community organizations to implement evidence-based mental health programs and services for children and youth throughout Colorado.

Key Responsibilities:

-Lead multi-sector prevention and community based mental health treatment collaborative efforts.

-Partner with Government Affairs as a thought leader in mental health legislative advocacy

-Champion health equity and mental health parity through action planning and response to the Community Health Needs Assessment.

-Lead network development and maintain strategic community partnerships in early childhood, schools, and primary care.

-Develop strategic communication plans for both internal and external audiences to raise awareness, educate, advocate, and support a seamless continuum of care.

-Lead youth and family engagement and responsiveness.

-Monitor for community programmatic grant opportunities and lead evaluation and response.

-Align initiatives with community needs and organizational priorities.

Essential Functions:

• Develops and implements strategic plan by establishing short- and long-term goals that advance Pediatric Mental Health Institute (PMHI) mission across Colorado and the seven-state region. Partners with Research, Evaluation and Implementation team to identify and scale best practices. Creates sustainable models for regional expansion and technical assistance to other states.
• Directs policy strategy and government affairs by collaborating with CHCO Government Affairs team to influence behavioral health initiatives and champion effective systems of mental health care for children and youth. Evaluates policy impact on organizational objectives and community health outcomes.
• Implements funding strategy by monitoring and evaluating grant opportunities, managing foundation relationships, and coordinating corporate and individual donor engagement to ensure sustainable program growth. Develops and implements data-driven approaches to inform community network development and training efforts. Partners with operational and business leadership to meet fiscal responsibilities and advance strategic initiatives.
• Develops and implements school-based mental health initiatives through evidence-based programs and sustainable implementation models that align with PMHI's mission of increasing access to quality mental health services. Creates partnerships with educational institutions to establish comprehensive mental health support systems. Evaluates program effectiveness through data-driven methodologies and stakeholder feedback.
• Develops and implements primary care integration initiatives by developing networks of mental health professionals and establishing collaborative care models that enhance service delivery and access. Researches and evaluates models of care and payment methodologies that best support child and youth mental health, with particular focus on addressing youth suicide. Implements strategies to scale successful programs across the seven-state region.
• Partners with the Behavioral Health Administration and stakeholders to ensure child and family-centered approaches, with particular emphasis on dismantling inequities and disparities traditionally embedded in systems of care.
• Directs marketing and communications strategies to promote mental health awareness and strengthen PMHI's position as a cross-system resource and implementation hub. Serves as a key spokesperson and representative for PMHI in external interactions with policymakers, governmental staff, media, and partner organizations. Develops comprehensive communication frameworks that support program objectives and community engagement.
• Leads community contracting and business development initiatives by establishing partnerships that leverage the strengths of diverse stakeholders, including University School of Medicine faculty, trainers, community network developers, and business teams. Partners with the Community Health and Advocacy Division to support community health assessments and action planning. Evaluates partnership effectiveness through established metrics.
• Develops evidence-based interventions and prevention programs that align with PMHI's strategic vision. Facilitates collaboration between early childhood providers, mental health professionals, and families to create comprehensive support systems. Implements data-driven evaluation methods to measure program impact.
• Creates and sustains a diverse and inclusive work environment through organizational practices that promote health equity. Monitors and evaluates DHEI metrics to guide program development and resource allocation. Champions diversity, health equity, and inclusion efforts by developing strategies to eliminate mental health care disparities for children and youth.
• Manages advisory councils, including Youth Advisory Council and Family Advisory Council, to ensure community voice informs program development and implementation. Engages children and youth in the ongoing development and evaluation of PMHI work. Facilitates regular council meetings to incorporate diverse perspectives into strategic planning.
• Develops departmental budget recommendations, and monitors expenditures to ensure compliance with organizational financial goals. Ensures staff and financial resources are utilized appropriately and shifts resources to meet both patient and department needs within budget restraints.