State Policy and Technical Assistance Director

Job Description

Job Description

BrainFutures accelerates adoption of innovative, evidence-based interventions that improve brain health and well-being . Over the past ten years, we have fought for the development of a more holistic, innovative, and effective approach to well-being by advancing novel therapeutics, psychedelic medicine, youth executive function, mental health parity, and other promising practices. Through research and policy analysis, education and convening, as well as demonstration projects and strategic partnerships, we work to accelerate access to proven and promising interventions that improve brain health and expand treatment options for those in need.

The State Policy and Technical Assistance Director will lead BrainFutures' efforts to prepare state entities for the necessary regulatory and/or legislative changes following FDA approval of psychedelic medicines. This role is responsible for providing technical assistance (TA) to state legislatures, agencies, and advocates to ensure that implementation promotes safety, efficacy, access, and affordability. The director will navigate complex policy areas, including Medicaid reimbursement, scope-of-practice laws, and workforce expansion. While this role will focus on providing technical assistance to 10 states, materials developed will be made available to policymakers and advocates in all 50 states. This grant-funded position has a one-year term with the potential for renewal pending additional funding.

Duties and Responsibilities

Policy Development & Research

• Research key policy levers for driving safe, affordable, high-quality access to approved psychedelics and associated clinical services in collaboration with expert policy consultants.
• Stay abreast of critical policy areas, including state-level rescheduling, reimbursement, mental health parity requirements, relevant clinical licensure and relicensure requirements, and federal- and state-level Medicaid policy (e.g., the Medicaid National Rebate Program).
• Develop and curate research-informed legislative and regulatory policy guidance and best practices in collaboration with expert policy consultants.
• Create model policies that states can adopt to ensure safe, affordable, high-quality access to psychedelic therapy.
• Incorporate feedback from stakeholders to ensure policy guidance is well-suited to each state context and meets the needs of key national stakeholders (e.g., provider associations).

Technical Assistance & Stakeholder Engagement

• Lead targeted outreach to approximately 10 priority states, ensuring a diverse mix of red, blue, and swing states, as well as those with varied rescheduling processes and veteran populations.
• Conduct outreach and individual TA calls, webinars, and targeted in-person engagement with state legislative staff, agency officials, mental health organizations, and advocacy organizations.
• Collaborate with partner organizations to conduct briefings with state policymakers and encourage policy adoption.
• Provide individualized technical assistance (TA) tailored to the unique needs of state policy environments.
• Engage with a broad spectrum of entities, which may include Departments of Health, state licensing boards, professional associations (e.g. state-level psychology and psychiatry associations), Departments of Insurance, governors’ offices, and the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).

Program Implementation

• Ensure widespread dissemination of information by partnering with communications staff and contractors to publicize TA materials.

• Provide compelling and accurate reporting on activities for funders and internal and external stakeholders.
• Document project progress and relationships using platforms such as Asana and HubSpot.

Grant Reporting, Development, and Partnerships

• Develop and implement grant-reporting requirements.

• Draft compelling grant proposals, letters of intent, and budget narratives that clearly align organizational needs with donor priorities.

• Develop scopes of work and related materials for grants and contracts.

Requirements

Required

• Master’s degree in a related field such as public policy (MPP), public health (MPH), social work (MSW with a policy focus), or a juris doctor (JD) or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 7–10 years of progressive experience in healthcare policy, state government, state government relations, and/or state-level advocacy.
• Ability to read, interpret, and draft model legislation and regulatory comments. The candidate must be able to translate complex needs of key stakeholders into actionable state-level policy.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including demonstrated public speaking skills.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to clearly document progress.

Preferred

• Prior experience working across states in technical assistance and policy development role.

• Knowledge of healthcare innovation, scope-of-practice laws, interstate compacts, and clinical licensure requirements for therapists and medical professionals.

• Familiarity with healthcare reimbursement models, the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), state mental health parity laws, and their implementation.
• Track record establishing rapport with policymakers on both sides of the aisle.
• Experience working either within a state agency (e.g., Department of Health or Medicaid Office) or for an organization that provides technical assistance to state legislatures (e.g., NCSL, ASTHO, NASMHPD).
• History of successful fundraising and grant management.

General Conditions

• Some evening meetings or weekend events required
• Willingness to travel (up to 20%)
• Availability of a designated home office space equipped for conducting confidential business, with secured access to high-speed internet for hybrid or remote employment.
• Have available/access reliable transportation, along with valid driver’s license and active automobile insurance coverage.
• Must be able to lift-up to 25 pounds at times.

Benefits

Full-time (40 hours/week), exempt and benefits. Benefits include vacation, sick, personal, and holidays, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, 403(b) retirement plan, medical, dental and vision insurance, health savings account, and mileage reimbursement.

Location

This position is remote for candidates located outside Maryland and hybrid for candidates based in the Baltimore area.

Compensation

$80,000-$112,000 annually. Compensation will be based on the candidate’s experience and qualifications.

MHAMD and BrainFutures is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.