Case Manager

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) initiative will provide people with substance use disorder and mental and behavioral health challenges with person-centered social services and intense case management focused on harm reduction and compassion in lieu of criminalization. These individuals will be engaged in supportive services with the goal of reducing legal recidivism and improving quality of life. This position is critical to the LEAD program, by providing engagement and intensive case management services to individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty, mental/behavioral challenges, in active drug use and suspected of low-level drug offenses, non-violent crimes, and/or prostitution. The Case Manager will provide direct outreach, long-term engagement, and supportive services for participants through intensive case-management activities and collaboration with LEAD partners, service providers, housing providers and other community organizations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES:

• Provides outreach and structured intensive case management services consistent with program policies for assigned participants.
• Engages with participants on the street and at social service provider facilities to establish working relationships and offer services.
• Assess participants for severity of chemical dependency and housing status, and determine needs for other services, e.g., medical, mental health.
• Assists participants in gaining access to a variety of programs and services, e.g. funding, housing, food, budgeting.
• Implements Individualized Service Plans (ISP) which addresses the needs of the participants for food, clothing, shelter, health care, substance use disorder treatment and/or reduction/elimination of drug/alcohol use through self-change methods, updates ISP as needed to reflect changing goals and needs, and helps participants move toward the achievement of autonomy.
• Develops and maintains participant files for assigned caseload according to program, contract and state requirements.
• Provides advocacy and support for participants within the criminal justice system, including court appearances and written communication.
• Accompanies participants to appointments as needed and/or requested.
• Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with providers of physical and mental health care, shelter and housing, chemical dependency treatment, and other community programs which may support participants.
• Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with LEAD partners.
• Identifies gaps and barriers in available community resources and advocates for systemic changes.
• Attends regularly scheduled workgroup, team, and staff meetings.
• Work an alternating on-call schedule.
• Performs other related tasks and duties as assigned or required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum

• High school diploma or high school equivalent
• Must be at least 21 years old.
• Minimum training requirements include twenty (20) hours of documented training and/or continuing education within the first 90 days of employment and maintain twenty (20) hours of continuing education annually.
• Must obtain CPR – First Aid and Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) certification within the first 30 days of employment.
• Maintain a valid and unrestricted NM Driver’s License.
• Must be able to use personal vehicle over course of employment.
• Maintain valid and sufficient personal automobile insurance.
• Must pass FBI fingerprint clearance check to maintain employment.
• Must pass and maintain a Driving Record clearance in accordance with GCLC policies and procedures.

Preferred

• Active certification as a Certified Peer Support Worker (CPSW), Certified Family Support Worker.
• Previous work providing in-home or community-based mental health or case management services.
• Experience with medically integrated mental health services.
• Demonstrated interest in rural and community health.
• Fluency in English and Spanish, both verbal and written.

LEVEL AND DEGREE OF SUPERVISION:

Supervised by the LEAD Program Manager. Supervision to include all in-service training sessions, multidisciplinary team meetings, general staff meetings, and specialized training as required by the PIPBHC contract, or as identified in the Staff Development Plan. Promotion activities may be supported by the LEAD Program Manager.

CONDITIONS OF WORK:

Hiring and promotion will be accomplished in compliance with Guidance Center’s Personnel Policies and Procedures. This position is non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Requires a minimum 40 hours per week. Hours and/or days may vary according to need. Overtime (time and ½) will be paid for hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week. Overtime must be approved by the LEAD Program Manager. Travel is required of employees for the fulfillment of duties.