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SOS Program Expansion Director
About Elyssa’s Mission
Elyssa’s Mission educates and screens teens on warning signs of suicide to help identify at-risk youth, link them to vital resources, and ultimately prevent suicide. We provide hands-on support to area public and private schools to educate students, staff, and parents on how to recognize and assist teens most at risk.
Through our partnership with SOS, the developers of the SOS Signs of Suicide program, we implement this evidence-based suicide prevention program in schools across Illinois. Elyssa’s Mission currently partners with approximately 350 middle and high schools in 20 counties and over 140 suburbs, making us the premier suicide prevention educator in the state. Elyssa’s Mission is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For more information, visit elyssasmission.org.
Overview
Elyssa’s Mission is seeking a highly motivated, mission-driven individual to expand the SOS Signs of Suicide program across school districts throughout Illinois. This role will focus on building strong school and community relationships, promoting program adoption, and increasing the reach and impact of suicide prevention education.
Position Summary
SOS Program Expansion Director will develop and implement a statewide strategy to expand the SOS program. Responsibilities include supporting new schools with program implementation, maintaining strong partnerships with existing schools and representing Elyssa’s Mission at relevant events and meetings. They will travel to schools and other locations as needed, as well as collaborate in the office with team members. This position reports directly to Joanne Meyers, President of Elyssa’s Mission.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute a long-term growth strategy to expand the SOS program statewide.
- Identify, engage, and sustain school and community partnerships at both state and local levels.
- Represent Elyssa’s Mission at statewide mental health conferences, alliance groups, and community events.
- Support new schools with SOS program implementation and provide ongoing guidance to existing school partners.
- Build relationships in local communities to raise awareness and advocate for suicide prevention.
- Travel to schools and partner locations as needed to support program implementation and outreach efforts.
- Collaborate with team members while independently managing assigned projects.
- Work in the office as needed to collaborate with staff, prepare for events, and support organizational operations.
Other Responsibilities
- Research and identify opportunities for local community engagement and partnerships to support SOS program growth.
- Assist team members with community-based initiatives and program support.
Qualifications & Expectations
The ideal candidate will bring both professional experience and a heartfelt commitment to our mission of supporting youth mental health and suicide prevention.
- Master’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology or a related field.
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in the mental health field (e.g., social worker, counselor, or related role).
- Demonstrated ability to build and sustain relationships with schools, community partners, and key stakeholders.
- Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills are a MUST!
- Passion for youth mental health, suicide prevention, and community outreach.
- Experienced in public speaking and has presented at conferences, schools, and community events.
- Willingness to travel throughout Illinois to support program growth and outreach efforts.
- Flexibility with work hours and willingness to attend in-office meetings as required.
- Ability to collaborate effectively in an office setting while also working independently in the field.
Compensation
This position offers competitive compensation and benefits. This position offers flexibility during the summer months, including the option for reduced (part-time) hours or unpaid time off, as mutually agreed upon.
To Apply
Join us in making a real difference in the lives of teens. If you’re passionate about youth mental health and eager to help expand the SOS Signs of Suicide program, we’d love to hear from you. Please send your resume and cover letter to:
Joanne Meyers, President
Elyssa’s Mission
joannemeyers@elyssasmission.org
Subject line: SOS Program Expansion Director
SOS Program Coordinator
Note: This position could also be available part-time, 2 to 4 days a week. The scope of the position would be adapted accordingly.
Company Background / Culture
Elyssa’s Mission is a 501c(3) non-profit organization that provides resources to help prevent teen suicide.
Elyssa’s Mission provides hands-on support to area public and private schools to educate students, staff and parents on how to recognize and assist those teens most at risk. Elyssa’s Mission implements the SOS Signs of Suicide prevention program in partnership with MindWise Innovations (the developers of the SOS program). They currently partner with approximately 300 middle and high schools in 20 counties and over 120 suburbs.
Elyssa’s Mission is the premier suicide prevention educator in Illinois.
For more information visit elyssasmission.org.
Overview
Elyssa’s Mission is looking for a Licensed Clinical Social Worker/Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and/or a school social worker/counselor who is passionate about suicide prevention and is willing to help further their mission: expanding SOS and “never turning a school in need away”.
This team member will become proficient in the SOS program. They will assist with all components of the program including planning, teaching, training, data collection and follow-up.
The individual will be willing to travel to schools throughout the Chicagoland area. This position is intended for someone who is in the office or out in the field.
Job Description
This team member will assist with managing the SOS program before and after the implementation of the program. They will provide hands on support on SOS days. They will aid school mental health staff to provide follow-up assessments with all students “flagged” by the SOS screening component. They will consult with school mental health staff on how to manage difficult/critical situations that arise following the student assessments.
This individual will train staff, students, and parents in suicide prevention education. They will also represent Elyssa’s Mission in the community when relevant opportunities arise and/or upon request from community-based organizations: serving on community-based panels and facilitating or cofacilitating sessions at mental health conferences/trainings.
This individual will work collaboratively with all team members, and most importantly with the Director of the SOS Signs of Suicide Program.
Additional Responsibilities
This individual will assist with the Grief Group Program for students, a program that is brought into schools after a student’s death by suicide. The program is intended for those students directly impacted by the death and allows for group discussion and processing.
This team member will be willing to assist with all areas that directly impact the Mission’s work.
Job Responsibilities include:
- Provide consultation to schools before and after SOS program days
- Assist with implementing SOS at designated schools that includes planning, training, teaching and follow-up
- Provide follow-up assessment to students identified by the SOS screener: Brief Screening for Adolescent Depression (BSAD)
- Help maintain relationships with schools that are currently using and/or have previously implemented SOS: Returning School Partners
- Lead trainings on suicide prevention in community settings
- Attend trainings, conferences and workshops related to suicide prevention
- Collaborate with the Director of SOS Programming
- Work closely with team members and willing to take on any task
- Lead projects related to suicide prevention when asked
Professional Experience Qualification
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker/Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and/or a school social worker/counselor with a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience
- A background in suicide prevention preferred
- Excellent public speaking skills
- Excellent written communication skills
- Experience in trainings preferred
- Self-motivated, detail-oriented, highly organized
- A high level of computer literacy required, including Excel and PowerPoint
- Must possess a positive attitude and can work flexibly both independently and within teams
- Ability to multi-task and prioritize work requirements with minimal supervision
Compensation
This position offers competitive compensation and benefits.
Please send resume to Joanne Meyers, President of Elyssa’s Mission at ask@elyssasmission.org with subject line: SOS Program Coordinator.
SOS Program Coordinator
Note: This position could also be available part-time, 2 to 4 days a week. The scope of the position would be adapted accordingly.
Company Background / Culture
Elyssa’s Mission is a 501c(3) non-profit organization that provides resources to help prevent teen suicide.
Elyssa’s Mission provides hands-on support to area public and private schools to educate students, staff and parents on how to recognize and assist those teens most at risk. Elyssa’s Mission implements the SOS Signs of Suicide prevention program in partnership with MindWise Innovations (the developers of the SOS program). They currently partner with approximately 300 middle and high schools in 20 counties and over 120 suburbs.
Elyssa’s Mission is the premier suicide prevention educator in Illinois.
For more information visit elyssasmission.org.
Overview
Elyssa’s Mission is looking for a Licensed Clinical Social Worker/Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and/or a school social worker/counselor who is passionate about suicide prevention and is willing to help further their mission: expanding SOS and “never turning a school in need away”.
This team member will become proficient in the SOS program. They will assist with all components of the program including planning, teaching, training, data collection and follow-up.
The individual will be willing to travel to schools throughout the Chicagoland area. This position is intended for someone who is in the office or out in the field.
Job Description
This team member will assist with managing the SOS program before and after the implementation of the program. They will provide hands on support on SOS days. They will aid school mental health staff to provide follow-up assessments with all students “flagged” by the SOS screening component. They will consult with school mental health staff on how to manage difficult/critical situations that arise following the student assessments.
This individual will train staff, students, and parents in suicide prevention education. They will also represent Elyssa’s Mission in the community when relevant opportunities arise and/or upon request from community-based organizations: serving on community-based panels and facilitating or cofacilitating sessions at mental health conferences/trainings.
This individual will work collaboratively with all team members, and most importantly with the Director of the SOS Signs of Suicide Program.
Additional Responsibilities
This individual will assist with the Grief Group Program for students, a program that is brought into schools after a student’s death by suicide. The program is intended for those students directly impacted by the death and allows for group discussion and processing.
This team member will be willing to assist with all areas that directly impact the Mission’s work.
Job Responsibilities include:
- Provide consultation to schools before and after SOS program days
- Assist with implementing SOS at designated schools that includes planning, training, teaching and follow-up
- Provide follow-up assessment to students identified by the SOS screener: Brief Screening for Adolescent Depression (BSAD)
- Help maintain relationships with schools that are currently using and/or have previously implemented SOS: Returning School Partners
- Lead trainings on suicide prevention in community settings
- Attend trainings, conferences and workshops related to suicide prevention
- Collaborate with the Director of SOS Programming
- Work closely with team members and willing to take on any task
- Lead projects related to suicide prevention when asked
Professional Experience Qualification
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker/Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and/or a school social worker/counselor with a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience
- A background in suicide prevention preferred
- Excellent public speaking skills
- Excellent written communication skills
- Experience in trainings preferred
- Self-motivated, detail-oriented, highly organized
- A high level of computer literacy required, including Excel and PowerPoint
- Must possess a positive attitude and can work flexibly both independently and within teams
- Ability to multi-task and prioritize work requirements with minimal supervision
Compensation
This position offers competitive compensation and benefits.
Please send resume to Joanne Meyers, President of Elyssa’s Mission at ask@elyssasmission.org with subject line: SOS Program Coordinator.