Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 18, September 16, 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
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.
