SUMMARY
This is a Full-Time/10 month/Non-Exempt position that is responsible for performing Student Assistance Program (SAP) duties by consulting and educating school personnel, student and parents in their area of expertise ? behavioral health, substance abuse, and barriers to learning. The SAP Liaison will be responsible for initial assessment of students who may have a variety of academic, behavioral, and or personal difficulties which interfere with their daily functioning. In addition to being a member of the SAP team this position is also responsible for initiating/facilitating behavioral health case management services to children/adolescents and their families by offering an Intake to the BSU. Primary work hours will be Monday thru Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm with a 1/2 hour lunch (37.5 hrs/week) unless otherwise agreed upon. This position will be expected to provide intake to the BSU, identify resources, and collaborate with education professionals. SAP services are provided to children/adolescents and their families in an education setting and/or in the community when applicable. The SAP Liaison is an integral part of a team which identifies students at risk, assesses their needs and removes barriers to the learning process.

Compliance:
Adheres to WCSI, county, state, and federal regulations governing the Behavioral Health program. This position will also adhere to all SAP regulations, requirements and data collection required by state and federal guidelines. Attends specially designed training programs provided through WCSI, county, state, SAP, Emergency Behavioral Health Team (EBH) and federal agencies.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned as deemed necessary by management.

Student Assistance Liaison Duties:
Responsibilities include ensuring that students experiencing barriers to learning related to substance abuse and behavioral health concerns are identified, assessed and linked to appropriate supportive services in the school and community. This position will work in conjunction with the SAP team for each school district. Other essential component of the job include, adherence to policies and procedures, effective communications, referral mechanisms, parent participation, team planning and coordination of meetings, intervention and recommendations, follow up and support, trainings, data collection of outcome indicators and evaluation.

This position assesses and offers access to the base service unit and is responsible for the coordination and/or facilitation of the following: completing an intake which includes assessment and linkage to services including the behavioral health and psycho social needs of client. Secures information such as medical, psychological and social factors contributing to client?s situation and evaluates these and client?s capacities. Determine and/or explain client?s eligibility for financial assistance and the level of case management. Coordination of a positive and cooperative working relationship with the families of children/adolescents being served, the County Behavioral Health Office, entities within the educational setting, community providers, and applicable case management staff. Other liaison duties include; case monitoring, linkage and engagement with families. Liaisons will complete all required paperwork and necessary documentation in compliance with SAP, agency, county, state and federal regulations.

Case Management and Service Coordination:
Essential job duties include completing referral(s), service linkage, community support networking and development, and case monitoring. Key functions include educating SAP team members and families with regard to clients? needs and available resources. The liaison will empower the family and assist them in understanding and successfully navigating the service delivery system. Documentation of all service management contacts are maintained in client charts. Liaison responsibilities include working in conjunction with various children serving systems/programs, including: aftercare, Community Residential Rehabilitation, Day Treatment, Outpatient, Westmoreland County Children?s Bureau, Juvenile Probation Office, Family Based and Behavioral Health Rehabilitation Services providers, and involvement in all aspects of the treatment process.

Crisis Intervention:
Works as a Base Service Unit Team Member. SAP Liaison will act as a consultant to school officials by providing options/resources to students deemed to be at risk or in crisis while in an educational setting. This position will be an active member of the EBH team as outlined in the attached addendum. Provide guidance regarding involuntary and voluntary hospitalizations including completion of all required legal documentation with county behavioral health office and emergency services.

Professional Responsibilities:
Extensive knowledge of theories, principles, and techniques related to services provided. Ability to establish/maintain effective working relationship with clients, associates and agency personnel. Must maintain knowledge of community resources and have ability to facilitate coordination activities. Able to work independently, be flexible, and adjust work hours based on program and client needs. Display a professional standard of effective teamwork.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position has no supervisory responsibilities. The SAP Liaison reports directly to the Student Assistance Program Supervisor and may take direction from Department Managers, BH Director or the Chief Executive Officer.

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:
Master?s degree and two years of Behavioral Health experience preferred. Previous experience working with children/adolescents and families in an educational setting is preferred.

Language Skills:
Effectively communicate and problem solve with all individuals involved in SAP; strong

Interpersonal skills, effective oral and written communication skills required.

Certificates, Registrations, Licenses:

Valid PA driver's license, Proof of valid Auto Insurance, ACT 33 (Child Abuse), ACT 34 (Criminal Record), FBI Clearance. There will be monthly screenings of PA Medicheck List, LEIE and EPLS.

Physical/Mental Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to operate a motor vehicle, sit, stand, walk, bend and lift objects of up to 10 pounds. The employee regularly uses a computer, phone, fax, copier and other essential office equipment to carry out daily work assignments. The employee will be required to operate a motor vehicle. Substantial problem solving in response to urgent/emergency situations which may require immediate action is an expectation.

Work Environment:
The service of this job is school based. While performing the duties of this job the employee may be exposed to a combination of office and outside/travel environments both inside and outside the boundaries of Westmoreland County. This position may be asked to provide linkage, monitoring, access to services; informal support network building for clients being served in a client driven fashion where and when it is needed. This position will be required to conform to WCSI?s policies, as well as the applicable cultural environment of the school setting assigned (included but not limited to professional dress and professional conduct).

Reasonable Accommodation:

It is WCSI?s business philosophy and practice to provide reasonable accommodations, according to applicable state and federal laws, to all qualified individuals with disabilities.

This position description is not an employment agreement or contract, but rather a description of the expectations of job duties and responsibilities as assigned to this position. Management has the exclusive right to alter the scope of work within the framework of this position description and the position classification, at any time without prior notice.

This job description accurately reflects the duties and responsibilities of this position and assignment to the appropriate position classification.