JOB TITLE:   Handle With Care Implementation Specialist - At Risk and Responsive Services

WAGE/HOUR STATUS: Exempt or nonexempt

FUNDING SOURCE: Grant Funded

REPORTS TO:  Director of At-Risk & Responsive Services.

PAY GRADE:   A02

DUTY DAYS:  200

DATE REVISED:  September 2024

Disclaimer: This is a grant funded position. Funds for this position are expected to be available up to the end of the 2026-2027 school year. In addition to other speci?ed conditions of employment, the applicant understands that no guarantee of continued employment, beyond the availability of the grant funds, is expressed or implied by Irving Independent School District.

A Letter of Assurance will be issued for this position. 

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PRIMARY PURPOSE: The Handle With Care (HWC) Implementation Specialist will focus on building capacity for HWC within the district, and will be responsible for developing protocols, establishing referral pathways, aligning data systems, serving as the liaison between multiple stakeholders (e.g., the Education Service Center 10 and 11, the local police department, the different campus within the district, and with families), as well as being the main point of contact responsible for coordinating with the Meadows Institute’s Trauma And Grief (TAG) Center for training, and providing technical assistance for Handle with Care to all district campuses.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Education/Certification:  

• Bachelor's degree in social work or related field.

• Master's degree preferred in social work from an accredited college or university

• Valid social work license granted by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners required. 

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Knowledge of individual and group counseling skills.
• Knowledge and skill in casework methods.
• Strong consultation skills for conferencing with teachers, parents, students, and community agencies.
• Awareness and ability to access community resources.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Bilingual preferred.

Minimum Experience:  

Two (2) years of experience in social work, counseling, or similar experience working with at-risk and diverse student populations. 

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND JOB DUTIES:

• Complete the required HWC training modules and TGCTA training in a timely manner and keep current with any updates to training as needed. 

• Provide ongoing support and education for all district staff around best practices to support HWC-identified students.

• Provide logistical support to school counselors, social workers, student support staff and other mental health staff to meet the needs of HWC-identified students.

• Maintain the confidentiality of the youths’ information, including but not limited to academic records, health records, and mental health services. 

• Review and track existing reports of TAG Handle with Care virtual training modules to Mental Health/ Counseling staff, Administrators, Nursing staff, Teachers and Paraprofessionals, and Non-Instructional staff utilizing the TAG Center HWC Virtual Training Platform. 

• Serve as a designee (“Designee”) for receipt of notifications through the HWC application and disseminate them to the designated point persons within each school by forwarding to them the HWC e-mail notification that comes from the HWC application. Other persons, as designated by the district, should also be included on the initial receipt of notifications. o Upon receipt of a notification identifying a youth who has been exposed to trauma or violence, the designated point persons within each school will then disseminate the notification to appropriate teachers, social workers, guidance counselors, and any other relevant staff. 

• Ensure updates are made regularly to the Region 11 HWC database that include the status of each HWC notification, specifically those that required additional interventions and/or referrals. 

• Serve as a liaison for the HWC Program to outside agencies (i.e. Meadows Institute, TCHATT) that are part of the larger HWC system. Work with TCHATT representatives to ensure HWC information is communicated in TCHATT referrals. 

• In collaboration with district mental health staff, provide support and referrals for students and their families who may benefit from access to community-based mental health services. These services could include Multisystemic Therapy (MST), Trauma and Grief Component Therapy for Adolescents (TGCTA), substance misuse services, Coordinated Specialty Care, and crisis support such as Youth Crisis Outreach Teams as provided by outside agencies as part of the larger HWC system. 

• Provide ongoing support for the HWC Program across the district, including any technical and implementation assistance as needed.  

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

         none

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:   Must demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written). Should be able to interpret procedures and analyze data for decision-making. Frequent in-district and occasional in-state travel. Occasional prolonged and irregular hours.

Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment, copier, computer

Posture: Prolonged sitting and standing; frequent kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting

Motion: Frequent walking; repetitive computer work with frequent use of hands and wrists

Lifting: Regular light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds); may lift and move textbooks and classroom equipment

Mental Demands:  Maintain emotional control under stress, work with frequent interruptions.

Safety:  Contribute to the prevention of accidents and injuries by observing safety rules and District policy, practicing the principles and skills taught in safety training, wearing personal protective equipment as required, reporting injuries and incidents immediately to the supervisor, and being proactive in the ongoing efforts to improve and maintain workplace safety.

The information in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Preceding statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills that may be required. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This is an in-person position.  Work from home is not allowed unless approved by the Superintendent.

This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.