Rapid Response to Recovery (RRR) Initiative Lead

Position Title: Rapid Response to Recovery (RRR) Initiative Lead

Salary: $120,000 - $130,000, depending on experience (plus benefits)

Position End Date: 6/30/2026

Location: Kentucky Department of Public Health (hybrid)

The CDC Foundation helps the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) save and improve lives by unleashing the power of collaboration between CDC, philanthropies, corporations, organizations, and individuals to protect the health, safety and security of America and the world. The CDC Foundation is the sole entity authorized by Congress to mobilize philanthropic partners and private-sector resources to support CDC’s critical health protection mission. Since 1995, the CDC Foundation has launched approximately 1,000 programs and raised over $740 million. The CDC Foundation managed over 300 CDC-led programs in the United States and in more than 130 countries last year.

The CDC Foundation is seeking a mission-driven and highly organized Rapid Response to Recovery (RRR) Initiative Lead to support the Kentucky Department for Public Health. The RRR Initiative Lead will guide the statewide launch, rollout, coordination, and continuous improvement of a behavioral health initiative focused on delivering more coordinated, person-centered crisis care through creating additional EmPATH units in Kentucky hospitals, expanding mobile crisis teams, and increasing telebehavioral health care capacity. RRR is one of the five new initiatives launching under the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), a statewide effort to strengthen rural health access and outcomes.

The RRR Initiative Lead is a member of the A3 Transformation Team (Aspire → Activate → Attain), which functions as RHTP’s central “nerve center” for disciplined execution across all five initiatives. The current work environment is primarily hybrid (2-3 days a week in office). This role may require statewide travel.

· Bachelor’s degree in public health, health administration, behavioral health, or a related field

· 7+ years’ experience in behavioral health program management, crisis response, or statewide health initiatives

· Demonstrated ability to lead complex, multi-component programs and manage cross-sector teams

· Experience with strategic planning, program implementation, and stakeholder engagement

· Strong skills in data analysis, dashboards, and reporting

· Excellent communication and collaboration skills

· Experience with state-level health transformation, CMS demonstration projects, or large-scale grants

· Knowledge of rural health systems, behavioral health crisis response, and telehealth models

· Experience with policy analysis and advocacy for behavioral health

· Familiarity with Kentucky’s public health ecosystem, rural community needs, and social determinants of health

· Set and execute the strategic direction for the RRR initiative, ensuring alignment with RHTP goals and Kentucky’s behavioral health transformation priorities

· Lead statewide meetings and facilitate the EmPATH Consortium, engaging hospitals, mental health centers, EMS, payers, and community partners

· Oversee the design and scaling of EmPATH units, mobile crisis intervention services, telebehavioral health hubs, and real-time technology platforms

· Direct implementation of program activities across all components and regions, ensuring timely launch, expansion, and integration of services

· Manage staff performance, recruitment, and training for EmPATH units, mobile crisis teams, and telebehavioral health professionals

· Coordinate with pilot hospitals, behavioral health providers, EMS, and community organizations to ensure effective service delivery

· Guide the development and integration of real-time technology platforms for crisis call tracking, referral management, and care coordination

· Evaluate and recommend new technologies to inform adoption of telehealth, mobile health apps, and digital tools

· Build support for data sharing across providers, payers, and community organizations

· Facilitate collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including rural providers, first responders, CMHCs, CCBHCs, and community partners

· Oversee management of the EmPATH Consortium, including governance model, partner recruitment, and meeting facilitation

· Lead engagement with state agencies, payers, and advocacy groups to drive sustainable rural impact

· Oversee collection and analysis of program metrics (e.g., response times, stabilization rates, follow-up engagement, cost savings)

· Use data-driven insights to inform decision-making, program adjustments, and reporting to CHFS leadership and funders

· Ensure compliance with CMS, Medicaid, and state reporting requirements; prepare and submit required documentation

This role is involved in a dynamic public health program. As such, roles and responsibilities are subject to change as situations evolve. Roles and responsibilities listed above may be expanded upon or updated to match priorities and needs, once written approval is received by both the CDC Foundation and Kentucky Department for Public Health in order to best support the Kentucky Department for Public Health in their public health programming.

This position is currently a hybrid position. CDC Foundation retains the right to make adjustments to this as required.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, mental or physical disabilities, veteran status, and all other characteristics protected by law. We comply with all applicable laws including E.O. 11246 and the Vietnam Era Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 governing employment practices and do not discriminate on the basis of any unlawful criteria in accordance with 41 C.F.R. §§ 60-300.5(a)(12) and 60-741.5(a)(7). As a federal government contractor, we take affirmative action on behalf of protected veterans.