Introduction
Are you an experienced public advocate who is well-versed in the field of behavioral healthcare policy?
We invite you to explore this innovative and pivotal role to our state.
The State of Connecticut is seeking a Behavioral Health Advocate as the head of a new independent state agency, the Office of the Behavioral Health Advocate. This highly public, high-profile position, and is subject to a statutorily-defined selection process. The Office of the Behavioral Health Advocate shall be under the direction of the Behavioral Health Advocate who shall be appointed by the Governor, with the approval of the General Assembly.
THE ROLE:
The Behavioral Health Advocate is a hands-on Chief Executive Officer, principal public spokesperson, and policy and legislative advocate. The Office of the Behavioral Health Advocate, administratively within the Insurance Department, assists members of the public with accessing mental and behavioral health care resources and providers with timely access and receiving payments for services provided. Your expertise and leadership will be crucial in addressing the needs of individuals with behavioral health challenges and ensuring they receive the care and support they deserve.
The Behavioral Health Advocate may:
- Assist mental and behavioral health care providers, who are licensed, certified or registered in the state, with receiving payments for claims submitted to health carriers for services provided to covered patients
- Assist state residents with accessing mental and behavioral health care and related resources
- Provide information to the public, agencies, legislators and others regarding the problems and concerns of mental and behavioral health care providers and patients and make recommendations for resolving such problems and concerns
- Analyze and monitor the development and implementation of federal, state and local laws, regulations and policies relating to mental and behavioral health care and recommend changes as necessary
- Coordinate services with the Healthcare Advocate to assist individuals with obtaining access to and coverage for mental and behavioral health care services and to fulfill the duties set forth in subsections (e) and (g) of Sec. 38a-1041 of the Connecticut General Statutes
- Ensure that mental and behavioral health care providers and patients have timely access to the services provided by the office
- Establish a toll-free number, or any other free calling option, to allow access to the services provided by the Behavioral Health Advocate
- Pursue administrative remedies on behalf of and with the consent of any mental and behavioral health care providers and patients
- Adopt regulations, pursuant to Chapter 54 of the Connecticut General Statutes, to carry out the provisions of this section
- Take any other actions necessary to fulfill the purposes of this section
This is a rare opportunity to assume a politically independent leadership position with a high-functioning, well-respected, historically established independent state agency. The position carries a clear possibility over time to become recognized as a key independent leader and resource in the Connecticut community on matters of state and federal behavioral healthcare advocacy.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
- The Behavioral Health Advocate shall be an elector of the State of Connecticut.
- NOTE:An Elector is defined as a person who is qualified to vote during an election.
- The Behavioral Health Advocate shall have expertise and experience in mental or behavioral health care, health insurance, and advocacy for parity in mental and behavioral health access and outcomes.
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:
- Monday - Friday
- Full time (40 hours/week)
- First Shift
- Location: Hartford, CT
- Hybrid opportunity
- Click here to view the Connecticut Handbook for Appointed Officials.
- Click here to view Appointed Officials Resources.
HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR STATE
Connecticut offers you a blend of professional advancement and a high-quality lifestyle. As a state we are renowned for our top-tier medical facilities and ample opportunities for career growth and development. Beyond professional prospects, Connecticut boasts a high standard of living, featuring safe communities, excellent schools, and a diverse range of cultural and recreational activities. This combination of professional excellence and a well-rounded lifestyle make Connecticut an appealing destination for those who want to thrive both in their careers and personal lives.
There are so many things to love about living, working, and playing in our state including these Key Facts and Figures:
- #4 in the U.S. for employees with advanced degrees
- #3 in the country for quality of K-12 education
- #5 for quality of life in the U.S.
- 2,000 miles of hiking/bike paths
- 618 miles of scenic coastline
- 21 world-class art museums
- Five Tony-Award winning regional theatres, and more!
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU:
- Visit our newState Employee Benefits Overview page!
- A healthy work-life balance to all employees
- Professional growth and development opportunities
- The opportunity to work for a Forbes top company - ‘Forbes’: State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule
Selection Plan
To Apply:
- Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
- Please select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
- All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
- In order to receive educational credits toward qualification for this job posting, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the recruiter listed on this job posting.
For Assistance In Applying:
- Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!
Important Information After You Apply:
- For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
- This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the questionnaire's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
- Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
- Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
- Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
- The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
- Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State Employees which is available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
Connect With Us:
Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Hayley Newhouse, at Hayley.Newhouse@ct.gov.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience leading mental health initiatives, specifically with work in multiple systems
- Experience leading advocacy initiatives
- Experience working as an attorney
- Experience in a leadership or management position
- Experience developing projects and/or programs from inception to final implementation
Conclusion
AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.
