Connections Program Coordinator

Mental Health Navigation and Community Resources

Mental Health Association of Central Florida  |  Orlando, Florida  |  Full time  |  Reports to Community Advocacy Manager

Salary range: $40,000 - $45,000

The opportunity

When someone reaches out for mental health help, finding the right place to start should not be another obstacle. The Mental Health Association of Central Florida (MHACF) seeks a Connections Program Manager to lead its free information, navigation and referral service for individuals and families across Central Florida. This is a hands-on role that combines program leadership, intern supervision, careful resource matching and direct support when a request is urgent or complex.

Connections draws on a database of approximately 4,000 mental health, substance use treatment and community resources and provides more than 2,000 referrals annually across Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, Brevard and Volusia counties. The manager will strengthen the quality of those referrals and help the team learn whether people are able to connect with care.

About MHACF

Founded in 1946, MHACF works to expand access to mental health care through treatment, prevention, education, advocacy and peer support. Our programs serve people who face financial and practical barriers to care. Connections is often the first place a person or family turns; how we listen, respond and follow through matters.

What you will do

Lead the program and protect service quality

•  Manage daily operations, assign and prioritize requests, monitor timeliness and ensure callers and referral partners receive clear, respectful communication.

•  Review and approve resource matches and referrals; research complex needs and guide staff when an appropriate option is difficult to find.

•  Maintain current procedures for intake, documentation, follow-up, referral quality, escalation and handoffs; improve workflows based on client and team feedback.

•  Oversee the accuracy and usefulness of the provider database, including eligibility, services, cost, availability and contact information, and identify gaps that require new partnerships.

Develop interns and volunteers

•  Recruit, onboard, train, schedule, supervise and coach behavioral health interns and volunteers, with clear expectations and regular feedback.

•  Provide case consultation and appropriate supervision for difficult requests; complete required university field-placement documentation and performance evaluations.

•  Cultivate relationships with UCF School of Social Work and other colleges, universities and recruitment partners; coordinate learning opportunities with community providers.

Guide complex requests and urgent situations

•  Help team members navigate requests involving multiple systems, access barriers, safety concerns or limited local resources while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.

•  Apply MHACF crisis and escalation protocols when someone reports suicidal thoughts or another immediate safety concern; coordinate with qualified crisis or emergency resources as indicated, document actions and notify appropriate leadership.

•  Maintain confidentiality, secure records and sound judgment in all client, provider and partner interactions; work within the program’s referral and navigation scope.

Build partnerships and use data to improve access

•  Develop relationships with behavioral health providers, hospitals, treatment programs, social service agencies and other community organizations to improve referral pathways.

•  Represent Connections and MHACF at meetings, outreach activities and events; communicate service eligibility and referral processes accurately.

•  Track referral volume, response and follow-up activity, resource gaps and connection outcomes; prepare regular reports and use findings to improve the client experience.

•  Support organizational reporting, partnership stewardship and other initiatives related to the reach and impact of Connections.

What you bring

Required qualifications

•  Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling, behavioral health, human services, nonprofit management or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

•  At least two years of relevant professional experience in behavioral health, social services, care navigation, community services or a related setting.

•  Experience training, coaching or supervising interns, volunteers or staff, with the ability to give clear feedback and manage performance.

•  Working knowledge of behavioral health and community systems of care, crisis resources and appropriate escalation when someone may be at immediate risk.

•  Strong listening, writing, problem-solving and organizational skills; the ability to manage competing needs without losing accuracy or compassion.

•  Comfort using Microsoft Office and learning databases, referral systems and other program technology.

Preferred qualifications

•  Master’s degree in a related field; experience supervising social work or behavioral health interns.

•  Knowledge of Central Florida providers, eligibility rules and social service networks; experience in a nonprofit or community-based behavioral health setting.

•  Ability to communicate in a language commonly spoken by the communities MHACF serves, in addition to English.

How success will be measured

Success means that people receive timely, appropriate and compassionate guidance; interns are well prepared and supported; provider information remains dependable; and the team can show how often referrals lead to a connection with services. The manager will use response, follow-up, referral and partner feedback data to identify gaps and make practical improvements.

Compensation and work setting

MHACF offers a benefits package that currently includes payment of 60% of the employee’s monthly health insurance premium, 10 days (80 hours) of paid time off, 12 paid organizational holidays, and opportunities for professional development and community engagement. Final compensation and benefit details will be confirmed during hiring.

This position is primarily office based at MHACF’s Orlando location and involves regular telephone and computer work. Occasional evening hours, local travel and transport of materials weighing up to approximately 30 pounds may be needed for program activities and events. MHACF will consider reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees.

Join MHACF

If you can lead a team, build trusted community relationships and help people take a practical next step toward care, we welcome your application. Submit a résumé and a brief cover letter describing your program leadership and mental health navigation experience through [insert application link or email].

MHACF is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences who can fulfill the responsibilities of this role.