Position Title: Mental Health Policy Fellow
The Mental Health Policy Fellow is responsible for helping educate major stakeholders, including administrative, legislative, judicial, provider and family audiences, on the interconnected nature of mental health and juvenile justice system involvement, as well as major opportunities for promoting success within the juvenile justice system. To meet the responsibility, the fellow will undertake policy analysis and create materials and coordinate related events to increase awareness of the effectiveness of current juvenile justice system reform and best practices models for continued reform.
Major Policy Focus Areas: Mental health services and supports that can divert youth from the juvenile justice system, improve outcomes once within the system and maximize success when transitioning back to the community.
Major Responsibilities
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Assist in facilitation of coalitions and forums
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Assist the mental health policy associate in educating key stakeholders, including policymakers, on key mental health needs of youth in the system
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Monitor and analyze changing mental health policy within the state and nationally
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Develop a report that details current juvenile justice system practices and outcomes in regard to mental health within the context of efforts to reform the system
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Research best practice models for meeting mental health needs of juvenile justice system involved youth
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Maintain communications with member organizations and other stakeholders about policy developments in Texas
Qualifications: The fellow must have excellent organizational and problem-solving skills, be able to work effectively in a team environment, and be able to manage multiple tasks. A successful candidate will be a recent graduate (within the past 18 months) of law, social work, public policy or other related graduate program and will have:
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Strong writing skills
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Initiative and resourcefulness
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Knowledge of children's policy issues and/or health and human services policy issues
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Experience in one or more of the following: advocacy/activism, local or state government, community organizing, social services, coalition-building
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Comfort speaking with diverse populations
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Commitment to the organization's mission
Application Process
Send resume, cover letter, and recent writing sample to:
Jodie Smith, Public Policy Director
Texans Care for Children
Position Title: Office Manager
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Texans Care for Children, a nonprofit organization solely focused on creating better policy outcomes for Texas children, is seeking a highly organized, experienced Office Manager to support the organization. Meticulous attention to detail, professionalism, initiative and keen organization skills are required. The individual hired will be responsible for document preparation, filing, data entry, scheduling and other general support functions. The individual filling this position must possess excellent interpersonal skills and feel comfortable interacting with the organization's various stakeholders and partners, including legislators, members of the Board of Trustees and donors. We are seeking someone who wishes to excel within the stated position, rather than someone who seeks to use this position as a stepping stone for different work within or outside our organization.
While hours worked must be within the standard business week, the number of hours worked each week is negotiable, with the range being from 15-25. Salary will be dependent on the schedule that is arranged with the successful candidate. Additionally, higher compensation will be provided if the successful candidate possesses expertise in bookkeeping.
We are a small staff of highly dedicated professionals seeking someone who will complete our team and support our mission to help Texas children. If you would like to join us in our important work and have the level of experience needed to fill our current vacancy, please email cover letter and resume to Eileen Garcia.
Functions:
- Coordination of vendors and management of general office functions
- Reception duties (answering and directing phone calls to appropriate staff, welcoming office visitors, etc.)
- Management of files
- Mailings
- Scheduling of meetings
- Maintenance of database
- Assistance with planning and implementation of events
- Tracking and coordination of distribution of organization's publications
Required Traits and Abilities:
- Positive outlook
- Five years of experience providing administrative support
- Strong attention to detail and organization
- Proficiency with Word and Excel
Preferred Skills: Experience in bookkeeping is preferred, but not required.
Position Title: Health Public Policy Intern Reports to: Public Policy Director
The Public Policy Intern will support the policy work of the organization carried out through research, issue-specific coalitions, cross-issue forums, administrative advocacy, and legislative advocacy. The Intern will focus primarily on policy topics related to maternal and child health.
During the Fall 2010 semester, administrative and legislative advocacy opportunities are shaped by interim charges of the legislative committees, implementation of legislation passed in 2009, and preparation for the 2011 Texas Legislature. In Spring 2011, advocacy efforts are driven by the state legislative session, and will involve writing bill summaries, arranging legislative meetings, assisting to prepare legislative testimony, researching issues as they arise, attending legislative hearings, and assistance tracking bills. Responsibilities in both Fall and Spring semesters include researching best practices, monitoring policy changes primarily at the state level, and keeping members of Texans Care coalitions informed of policy developments, resources, and opportunities.
Preferred Qualifications
The intern must have excellent organizational and problem-solving skills, be able to work effectively in a team environment, and be able to manage multiple tasks. A successful candidate will have:
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Strong writing skills.
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Initiative and resourcefulness.
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Knowledge of children's policy issues and/or health and human services policy issues.
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Professional or volunteer experience in one or more of the following: advocacy/activism, local or state government, news media, community organizing, social services, coalition-building.
Additional Details
Position available to currently-enrolled or recently degreed graduate students.
Position is for the Fall and Spring semesters, with possible extension through Summer 2011
Preferred start date: late August or early September, 2010
20 hours per week, $10 - $12 per hour depending on experience
Application Process
Email resume, cover letter, and recent writing sample to:
Jodie Smith, Public Policy Director
Texans Care for Children
Position Title: Communications and Events Intern
The Communications and Events Intern provides public relations, research, event management, and marketing support at a statewide nonprofit organization focused on children's issues. The intern reports to the Communications Director and learns and practices website administration and maintenance, online research, social networking, media relations, newsletter development, and other content-sharing to advance the organization's mission. .The position will also work with the Development Director, providing administrative and special event support to Texans Care For Children's press conferences, summits, and events.
Responsibilities:
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Monitor, aggregate information from, and propose postings for Texans Care for Children's social media presence on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and other social networking sites.
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Review relevant child and youth focused news content from state and national media, as well as blogs, research organizations, and other child/youth advocates, and post links to this content as appropriate to Texans Care for Children's website and social networking sites.
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Draft written content for email marketing (newsletter, action alerts), status updates, tweets, and blog.
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Research potential audiences for outreach and pitch ideas/strategies for effective engagement with new audiences to Communications Director.
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Update and maintain press/media lists for Communications Director, and support other lists management, including through data entry.
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Use photo and video editing software to prepare photos and videos for online communications.
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Assist Development Director in researching and securing vendors for upcoming events including: Briefing Breakfasts, Young Professionals Group events, etc.
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Provide other support to the Development Director and Communications Director for special events, such as press conferences, fund-raisers, and more.
Preferred qualifications: Familiarity with social media platforms required, along with very good research and writing skills. Excellent organizational skills and ability to stay on task and weed through information without becoming overwhelmed. Highly dependable, with good attention to detail, a friendly rapport with others, and willingness to contribute creative ideas. Some familiarity with children's policy issues and/or website administration helpful but not required.
Additional Details:
This is an unpaid internship for a currently enrolled or recently graduated undergraduate in communications, journalism, business, liberal arts, public affairs, social work or a related area. Preferred start date: late August or early September, 2010, lasting through the fall semester with possibility of extension through the spring of 2011. We are seeking someone who can spend 10-15 hours per week in the position.
Application Process
Email resume and cover letter to:
Christine Sinatra, CommunicationsDirector
Texans Care for Children
