What are the responsibilities and job description for the Resource Navigator position at Project 180?
The Organization
SSG-Project 180 turns lives around through innovative, wraparound services that keep people out of institutions and in their communities. Project 180 is a leader in the forensic treatment space, offering high-quality, specialized treatment programs that serve thousands of justice- involved individuals. Our programs span criminal justice intercepts and include pre-arrest interventions, court-based diversions, jail in-reach, and intensive post-release services. Project 180 operates in partnership with County agencies including the Department of Mental Health (DMH), the Department of Health Services (DHS), and the Justice, Care and Opportunities Department (JCOD).
The Program
RDP is a County-operated program that diverts criminal defendants out of the criminal legal system at the early stages of the court process. The program provides in-court mental health evaluation, linkage to treatment services, and case management support to participants whose criminal case is dismissed upon successful program completion.
The Position
Reporting to the Program Supervisor, the Rapid Diversion Program (RDP) Resource Navigator will operate from a designated courthouse. The Resource Navigator will be tasked with establishing and nurturing connections with service providers while ensuring swift and efficient linkages to mental health and substance abuse treatment programs. A successful Resource Navigator will demonstrate a robust understanding of mental health and substance abuse treatment programs within the system of care, adeptly forge partnerships with service providers, and promptly facilitate program connections for defendants in LA County criminal courts in mental health diversion. Job title (I-III) to be established based on years of relevant experience.
Essential Functions:
Assessment and linkage to community resources
Minimum Qualifications
Required:
Compensation
The salary range for this position is $48,000 - $59,000, depending on experience.
Supervisory Responsibilities
None
Environmental Conditions (Working Conditions)
Job duties are to be performed both in office and field settings, including Project 180’s interim housing sites. Shifts to be scheduled during evenings and or weekends.
Physical Requirements
The employee is expected to move about the worksite throughout the day, which may involve walking, standing, and climbing stairs, or using a mobility device, or similar. The employee is expected to drive, carry a maximum of 20 lbs, listen, and speak in order to complete job requirements.
Mental Requirements
The employee must be able to do any/all of the following: perform complex and varied tasks such as synthesizing information and making decisions without immediate supervision; handle routine distractions, interruptions, noise, and uncontrollable changes in priorities/work schedules; interact professionally and diplomatically in high-stress situations; create and follow plans; meet deadlines.
Work location
Compton Courthouse
SSG-Project 180 turns lives around through innovative, wraparound services that keep people out of institutions and in their communities. Project 180 is a leader in the forensic treatment space, offering high-quality, specialized treatment programs that serve thousands of justice- involved individuals. Our programs span criminal justice intercepts and include pre-arrest interventions, court-based diversions, jail in-reach, and intensive post-release services. Project 180 operates in partnership with County agencies including the Department of Mental Health (DMH), the Department of Health Services (DHS), and the Justice, Care and Opportunities Department (JCOD).
The Program
RDP is a County-operated program that diverts criminal defendants out of the criminal legal system at the early stages of the court process. The program provides in-court mental health evaluation, linkage to treatment services, and case management support to participants whose criminal case is dismissed upon successful program completion.
The Position
Reporting to the Program Supervisor, the Rapid Diversion Program (RDP) Resource Navigator will operate from a designated courthouse. The Resource Navigator will be tasked with establishing and nurturing connections with service providers while ensuring swift and efficient linkages to mental health and substance abuse treatment programs. A successful Resource Navigator will demonstrate a robust understanding of mental health and substance abuse treatment programs within the system of care, adeptly forge partnerships with service providers, and promptly facilitate program connections for defendants in LA County criminal courts in mental health diversion. Job title (I-III) to be established based on years of relevant experience.
Essential Functions:
Assessment and linkage to community resources
- Engage potential diversion participants in services. Provide brief motivational intervention and information related to services offered through the RDP program.
- Complete initial assessment and collaborate with Therapist/Evaluator to develop comprehensive treatment plans for program linkage determination. Assessment to include but not be limited to readiness for change, needed community linkages and suitable substance abuse treatment level of care (via ASAM Triage Tool).
- Support clients in understanding the court process, appropriate court conduct, and their specific court orders.
- Coordinate swift linkages to treatment programs (ie residential substance treatment, mental health clinics, Full Service Partnership) as indicated per diversion processes per program guidelines. Accompany clients to linkage appointments, when appropriate.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of behavioral health treatment programs and community resources and how to navigate the LA County system of care. Establish and maintain relationships with community treatment providers and resources.
- Service delivery is consistent with ethical standards and a harm reduction, strength based, trauma informed framework.
- Actively collaborate with RDP Therapist/Evaluator on all diversion components (screening, treatment recommendations, and linkages). Track court dates and actively communicate the status of pending linkages.
- Engage and join with collaterals (family members, court) as appropriate. Provide education related to mental health recovery to better support clients. Engage in client advocacy.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with RDP and court staff, including but not limited to: judges, judicial assistants and attorneys.
- Advocate for established treatment plans and continued participation in community diversion, when appropriate.
- Liaise between case management team and court staff to support client treatment.
- Ensure treatment team members clearly understand court orders so that they are able to effectively support clients and complete linkages as needed.
- Collaborate with public and private community health, mental health, and social service agencies.
- Maintain comprehensive case notes in the electronic health record per program guidelines
- Participate in program data collection per program guidelines
- Regular attendance required. Holiday or weekend work may be required.
- Maintain and uphold Agency mission statement, values, policies, procedures, and principles.
- Perform other duties as needed.
- Maintain active license and/or registrations as applicable (ie BBS, CCAPP)
- Empathetic, strong communication, advocacy and relationship-building skills
- Culturally competent: Understands and is sensitive to diverse backgrounds and needs
- Resourceful: Efficiently navigates and utilizes resources available for treatment linkage
- Collaborative: Able to work in diverse teams to collaboratively solve complex issues
- Proactive: Anticipates potential issues, and takes the initiative
- Adaptive to changing circumstances and client needs in a dynamic environment
- Strong critical thinking and problem solving skills
- Detail-oriented, organized and has strong time management skills
- Courteous, respectful and helpful with others. Maintains appropriate professional boundaries
Minimum Qualifications
Required:
- Experience working with culturally diverse populations.
- Valid CA driver’s license, proof of insurance and own vehicle required. Ability to transport clients in personal vehicle as needed.
- Must not be on any type of legal supervision (probation or parole).
- Verification of Employment Eligibility and Background Check
- Basic computer skills
- Previous case management experience
- Previous experience as a CENS worker
- Lived experience with homelessness, mental health/substance use recovery or the criminal justice system.
- Experience working with forensic and/or dual-diagnosed populations.
Compensation
The salary range for this position is $48,000 - $59,000, depending on experience.
Supervisory Responsibilities
None
Environmental Conditions (Working Conditions)
Job duties are to be performed both in office and field settings, including Project 180’s interim housing sites. Shifts to be scheduled during evenings and or weekends.
Physical Requirements
The employee is expected to move about the worksite throughout the day, which may involve walking, standing, and climbing stairs, or using a mobility device, or similar. The employee is expected to drive, carry a maximum of 20 lbs, listen, and speak in order to complete job requirements.
Mental Requirements
The employee must be able to do any/all of the following: perform complex and varied tasks such as synthesizing information and making decisions without immediate supervision; handle routine distractions, interruptions, noise, and uncontrollable changes in priorities/work schedules; interact professionally and diplomatically in high-stress situations; create and follow plans; meet deadlines.
Work location
Compton Courthouse
Salary : $48,000 - $59,000
