Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 24, December 18, 2024
(a) By
State law, all County Mental Health Boards may, with the approval of the Board
of Freeholders, create the position of Mental Health Administrator. The
Division strongly encourages the creation of this position in every County and
suggests additional staff for the mental health board, also including one
non-clerical position for every 300,000 people living in a particular
county.
(b) The Division shall
approve the credentials of a candidate for the position of Mental Health
Administrator, selected by the appointing authority, prior to his/her
hiring.
(c) The county shall
provide, as part of its submission of the candidate's approval request, a
current description of how the Administrator will be responsible to the county
and to the County Mental Health Board and a job description that reflects the
Administrator's role in developing the County Mental Health Plan and other
requirements under State law and these Regulations.
(d) Minimum qualification shall include:
1. Education: A Master's Degree from an
accredited university in Psychology, Public Administration, Social Work, Public
Health, Hospital Administration, Nursing or a related field. A Bachelor's
Degree with significant work experience beyond the required three years, in one
of the above areas, may be substituted for a Master's Degree with prior
approval from the Division.
2.
Experience: A minimum of three years experience in administration in mental
health care or related fields.
3.
Knowledge and abilities: Working knowledge of planning, budgeting and human
services contract administration. Working knowledge of current developments in
the field of mental health. Working knowledge of organizations and operations
in the public sector including government, private, social service and health
agencies and public institutions. Ability to devise model service systems and
implement goals and objectives toward development of a unified services system.
Ability to work harmoniously with various leaders, representatives of the
community, and consumer groups.
(e) Roles and functions: The County Mental
Health Administrator shall:
1. Maintain
accurate records and summaries of the county mental health board's and its
professional advisory committee's deliberations and conduct regular clerical
and business matters of the county mental health board and be responsible to
that body;
2. Serve as the county
mental health board's executive secretary;
3. Serve as liaison between the county mental
health board and its advisory committee and county government, the Division,
the Department and the Federal Department of Health and Human Services, and to
local and regional planning bodies;
4. Provide leadership to county mental health
policy groups and participants as an equal member in policy groups convened by
the Division;
5. Participate in
planning and implementation of all system and program development activities
relating to the county, convened, initiated or required by the
Division;
6. Act as a
facilitator/convenor for meetings involving agencies under the county mental
health board's jurisdiction, and county. State and/or Federal
officials;
7. Submit an annual
county mental health services plan to the Division, in accordance with the
Division's planning guidelines;
8.
Attend Statewide or Regional meetings of County Mental Health Administrators,
and submit reports, as required by the Division;
9. Participate in formal monitoring of grant
and contract services;
10.
Participate as a full team member at all Federal, State, County site
inspections of all services and agencies under the Board's
jurisdiction;
11. Review, comment
and make recommendations on proposals and applications for mental health
services to the County Mental Health Board and to agencies of the State and
Federal Government, as appropriate;
12. Participate in the review and negotiation
of initial and renewal contracts;
13. In cooperation with the Division develop
affiliation agreements for promoting and monitoring a county unified services
system;
14. Insure proper
communication of information concerning mental health services, funding,
deadlines, etc. to funded agencies;
15. Play an active role in carrying out the
county mental health board's advocacy functions including:
i. Receiving and following up on client
questions and complaints regarding services, as outlined in
N.J.A.C. 10:37-4.6.
ii. Increasing representation and
participation of service recipients on county mental health board.
iii. Facilitating the development of
self-help groups.
