Jennifer Pérez, MSW, LMSW

Experience

• 

  Texas Health and Human Services

  Oct 2018 - now

  • Serves as the Grant Project Manager overseeing two federal grants given to the state of Texas totaling up to $500 million for COVID-19 behavioral health initiatives and specialized behavioral health programs as a result of the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on behavioral health services across Texas - H.R. 133 & American Rescue Plan Act;• Responsible for the day-to-day management of grant projects and monitoring projects' progress toward meeting performance outcomes, expenditures, and risk assessment activities;• Drafts information and communication related to grant programs to federal partners, legislative responses and reports, and public presentations;• Represents Texas HHSC on external councils, committees, and workgroups; • Enhances collaboration and partnerships between Texas HHSC and external partnerships such as Texas academic institutions, medical institutions, professional licensing boards, federal partners, county and local agencies;• Coordinates and represents the grant program in the development of procurement and contracting activities; and•Ensures programs adhere to applicable state and federal grant and contracting requirements and agency policy and procedures. Show less • Assisted with the overall grant administration of the Community Mental Health Grant Program, established by House Bill 13 from the 85th Legislature, 2017 to support statewide programs providing services and treatment to people with mental illness;• Served as the primary programmatic point of contact for grantees and monitored progress related to performance metrics, outcomes, and expenditures;• Provided technical assistance and guidance related to project management, program improvement, training on behavioral health evidence-based practices, identifying any other relevant training opportunities, and developing program processes and procedures to ensure success of grant projects and overall grant improvement;• Coordinated the development of procurement and contracting activities including solicitations such as Needs Capacity Assessments, Requests for Proposals, and/or Applications; and• Collaborated and enhanced relationships with state and local officials, external stakeholders, and the public. Show less • Subject Matter Expert on Evidence-Based Practices (EBP) as it relates to behavioral health - specifically Supported Employment - Individual Placement and Support;• Performed advanced research, policy interpretation, and consultation work related to Adult Behavioral Health Services across the state of Texas;• Created and established an annual statewide creative arts contest dedicated to Mental Health Awareness where winners are able to showcase submissions at local exhibits, museums, and have their artwork featured on our online gallery https://gallery.txsystemofcare.org/;• Implemented pilot programs across Texas under the Texas Targeted Opioid Response (TTOR) federal grant, ensuring program effectiveness, and adherence to the program's goals, and proposed outcome measures;• Promoted effective program designs, performance management, and successful outcomes by facilitating quality management activities, technical assistance, and in-person or web-based trainings as it relates to adult behavioral health services and projects;• Built and maintained strong partnerships and collaborations with national experts and various agencies across the country;• Monitored data and ensured providers are reaching performance measures; and• Maintained state of the art knowledge regarding recovery-oriented services, engagement, and service delivery systems that support persons in need of behavioral health services. Show less

  • Project Director | Behavioral Health Services Policy & Priority Initiatives

    Jun 2021 - now

  • Program Specialist VI

    Aug 2020 - Jun 2021

  • Program Specialist V

    Oct 2018 - Aug 2020
• 

  Creating Transformational Workplaces

  Apr 2019 - now

  Therapist/Counselor

  • Developed and implemented unique site-based peer counseling groups and curriculum through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP); • Offering diverse organizational development, wellness, counseling, and assistance to business' EAP; • Offers quality onsite counseling and support services to non-profit workplaces and help to create a trauma-informed workplace with a focus on organizations that employ helping professionals;• Provide Clinical Social Work or Professional Counseling services to individuals, couples, families;• Services include case management, facilitate groups and peer support, and executive leadership coaching and support;• Assessments, diagnosis and treatment of mental and/or emotional disturbances or disorder to adults, couples, and families, and/or groups;• Impart trainings to employees or whole businesses on learning positive coping and stress management skills; and• Offer trainings to employees or whole businesses on how to manage chaos and conflict - both work and personal. Show less