Policy Specialist, Illinois CCBHC-T

Position Summary

The Policy Specialist, Illinois CCBHC-T will play a crucial role in supporting state-level efforts in Illinois to advance the transformation of care through the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model. This position will serve as a contracted staff member of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, supporting transformation efforts to further the state's CCBHC program. This position requires a highly skilled individual with a proven record of advancing state behavioral health systems, collaborating with diverse stakeholders, and delivering high-quality results.

Illinois is one of three states selected to participate in a three-year, multistate pilot program that will provide critical technical assistance support to states and clinics to advance the vision and impact of the CCBHC model. CCBHCs provide mental health and substance use services to anyone who walks through the door, regardless of a person's ability to pay. Through their documented ability to improve access to mental health care, lifesaving substance use treatment, recovery supports, crisis services, integrated care and other services, CCBHCs are eliminating barriers to care for people in hundreds of communities. This role will serve as a core member of the program implementation team and lead priority initiatives of the state roadmap and implementation.

This position is contingent upon continued project funding. This is a limited-term, full-time, benefits-eligible position with employment expected through July 2028.

This is a hybrid remote position with residence in Illinois required. You will primarily work remotely but may also occasionally travel throughout the state as needed. Business hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT. This is an individual contributor role without any direct reports.

Key Responsibilities

State Behavioral Health Policy

• Lead and manage the development and execution of new state policies and guidance, aligned with the state team's strategy for the CCBHC-T project.
• Proactively identify opportunities for improved state policies to support CCBHCs across the state and lead the state CCBHC-T team in advancing improved state policies.
• Draft state policies and guidance and contribute to technical writing assignments as needed and as appropriate.
• Lead and manage communication with key stakeholders regarding state policy efforts to advance the CCBHC-T vision and goals.
• Lead and manage the process for implementing and scaling new state policies and guidance for CCBHCs.

Leadership

• Initiate, build, and facilitate relationships with key state stakeholders and partners to support advancing needed policies and guidance.
• Partner with the CCBHC-T state team leaders to support alignment of state policies with overarching project strategy and vision with the National Council and key partners.
• Develop project management processes and protocols as needed to drive progress in new policy efforts.
• Facilitate collaboration and coordination across the state team and the state's CCBHC initiatives to optimize resource utilization, opportunities for collaboration and achieve shared objectives.

Training and Technical Assistance

• Partner with the Illinois CCBHC-T team to align technical assistance activities and resources with the state's policies and broader CCBHC state strategy.
• Develop materials and resources for technical assistance activities as it relates to state policies and guidance, tailored to specific audiences as needed.
• Present and communicate state policies and guidance to CCBHCs and technical assistance audiences as needed.
• Gather input and feedback from CCBHCs and technical assistance audiences regarding policies and guidance needed.
• Communicate with and support CCBHCs and technical assistance audiences in understanding and implementing policies and guidance.

Technical Expertise

• Stay current on state behavioral health needs, understanding the policy landscape and key stakeholders influencing the state's health care environment.
• Develop and enhance deep knowledge and understanding of the CCBHC model to inform policy and guidance decisions.
• Leverage technical skills and knowledge in project management to address complex project challenges.
• Support the development and delivery of high-quality deliverables, including reports, presentations, and training materials.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors' degree in related field required; public policy, public administration, public health, mental health and substance use services with at least 3 years of experience analyzing and implementing behavioral health or Medicaid policy.
• Background in public administration, public health, mental health and substance use services or related fields.
• Illinois state residency.
• Experience working within state health systems, specifically policy experience.
• Familiarity with Illinois community behavioral health landscape.
• Familiarity with state and federal legislative and administrative rulemaking processes.
• Dynamic presentation, public speaking and technical writing skills.
• High level proficiency in Microsoft Office-MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Results-oriented with a high attention to detail.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in virtual meeting/collaboration, project management, and survey software (e.g., Zoom, Teams, Asana, Survey Monkey, Higher Logic).
• Ability to quickly learn new software platforms and programs.
• Ability to travel up to 5% across the state to support CCBHC efforts.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge and understanding of the CCBHC model and state policy landscape is strongly preferred.
• Experience managing training and technical assistance programs for behavioral health audiences is strongly preferred.
• Experience managing a large healthcare related program, federal or philanthropy grants, and/or contracts with multiple external partners is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge and experience working with medical terminology to explain healthcare billing or policy requirements is preferred.

Salary & Benefits

The salary range for this position is $104,955 - $120,000. Salary decisions within the range are based on experience, education and internal equity.

The National Council offers a comprehensive benefits package, which includes (but is not limited to):

• Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions after 1 year of service
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick, personal, floating holiday, bereavement and observed federal holidays
• Two weeks paid parental leave
• Free unlimited Relias professional development courses
• Annual professional development
• Calm Premium access

About Us

The vision of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing is to make mental wellbeing, including recovery from substance use challenges, a reality for everyone. Despite overwhelming need, nearly 30 million people across the U.S. do not have access to comprehensive mental health and substance use treatment.

Founded in 1969, the National Council is a 501(c)(3) membership organization that drives policy and social change on behalf of more than 3,200 mental health and substance use treatment organizations and the more than 15 million children, adults and families they serve. We advocate for policies to ensure equitable access to high-quality services. We build the capacity of mental health and substance use treatment organizations. And we promote greater understanding of mental wellbeing as a core component of comprehensive health and health care. Through our Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) program, we have trained more than 4.5 million people in the U.S. to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges.

The National Council is growing to meet this moment. We've more than doubled our dedicated team to 240+ employees since 2020. Although we have office space in Washington, D.C., we operate as a remote-first organization, with employees working from their various locations across the United States.

The National Council is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We embrace individuals from all backgrounds and perspectives, welcoming people of all races, ethnicities, religions, genders, sexual orientations, and ages, as well as veterans, people with disabilities, and those with lived experiences in mental health and substance use challenges to apply. We are committed to fostering a welcoming environment and recruitment process for everyone. If you require accommodation during the application process, please contact us at Recruiter@thenationalcouncil.org.