Criminal Justice Liaison

SUMMARY: This is a full-time non-exempt position primarily responsible for providing support and assistance to “intercept” persons with mental illness and co-occurring disorders to ensure: opportunities for diversion, appropriate re-entry to their community, timely movement through the criminal justice system, prompt access to treatment and support services and linkage to community resources. Works as an interdisciplinary team member. Work assignments will be discussed at bi-weekly planning meetings. Goals and objectives will be developed and priority assignments identified. Maintains all records and other relevant paperwork accurately and promptly. May require work during non-traditional hours based on needs of district magistrates, county court or other criminal justice entities. Scheduling is a cooperative effort between the liaison and the supervisor.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Include the following. Other duties may be assigned as deemed necessary by management.

Compliance:
Adheres to WCSI, state, county, and federal regulations governing case management service provisions. Attends specially designed training programs provided through WCSI, state, county, and federal agencies.

Case Management Activities:
Develops strategies for resolving issues of persons with mental illness and co-occurring disorders entering or moving through the criminal justice system at any level of involvement using the concepts of the “Sequential Intercept Model”. The Criminal Justice Liaisons will work collaboratively with representatives from various entities in the county including local district justices, courts, crisis services, police, adult probation office, public defenders, district attorneys, county jail, local prison and behavioral health providers.

Monitoring and Coordination Activities:

The Criminal Justice Liaison will develop a knowledge base and eventual expertise of the criminal justice system and how this system interfaces with the behavioral health system. An important role of the Criminal Justice Liaison is to incorporate ongoing education to the collaborative community systems to improve their knowledge base of navigating the behavioral health system.

The Criminal Justice Liaison will be responsible for working collaboratively with community resources to reduce some of the barriers to providing service to this population. This ongoing collaboration and coordination will transition persons with mental illness and co-occurring disorders more successfully in obtaining treatment and support services as they move through the criminal justice system at any point of involvement. A comprehensive list of resources will be identified and maintained by the Liaison for quality service delivery. This resource list will at a minimum contain the following areas: mental health and drug/alcohol treatment, crisis intervention, housing, vocational, transportation and any other support services to meet the individual’s needs for diversion and decreasing recidivism into the legal system

Specialization:

Manages needs for those clients who are in the early stages of the criminal justice system. Works with District Magistrates, community providers, clerk of courts, public defender, etc to work for the possible intercept of the individual from the criminal justice system. Provides education of the Behavioral Health System to Criminal Justice staff and judges. Will be required to create outreach plans and present educational sessions on the Behavioral Health system at committees and meetings for judges, magistrates, etc.

Advocacy Activities:
Advocates for the client to ensure responsiveness from natural, community, generic and specialized services. Advocacy includes providing information, removing barriers, and creating options and resolving problems.

Case Documentation:
Maintains Administrative Management records, charts contacts with clients and collateral contacts. Updates forms as needed. Reviews charts for compliance with department standards. Prepares for quality assurance audits by WCSI compliance department. Efficiently completes paperwork and other program related material.

Professional/Technical Responsibilities:
Extensive knowledge of theories, principles, and techniques related to the criminal justice system. Ability to establish/maintain effective working relationship with clients, associates and agency personnel. Knowledge of community resources and ability to facilitate coordination activities. Ability to prepare clear, concise reports and to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Strong skills in professional presentation, communication and group facilitation. The Criminal Justice Liaison is responsible for collecting and maintaining data specific to referrals, diversion and client engagement.

Requirements

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:
This position has no supervisory responsibility. The Caseworker 3 reports directly to the Criminal Justice Supervisor and may also take direction from the Manager of BH Adult Services, BH Director or the Executive Director.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree in Social Service related field. Previous Case management experience and/or criminal justice system experience preferred.

Language Skills:
Strong Interpersonal skills, effective oral and written communication skills.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

Valid PA Driver’s License, Proof of Valid Auto Insurance, Act 34 (Criminal Record), and Act 33 (Child Abuse) and FBI Clearance. There will be monthly screenings of PA Medicheck List, LEIE and SAM.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to operate a motor vehicle, sit stand, walk, bend and lift objects of up to 10 pounds. The employee regularly uses a computer, phone, fax, copier and other essential office equipment to carry out daily work assignments.

Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this job, BH case management is provided as needed in the place where the client resides or needs the service. Case management is a community based service and offers service in the client's home, community center, place of worship or treatment center. Case managers will provide linkage, monitoring, access to services; provide assessment and service planning, problem resolution and informal support network building for clients on their caseload in a client driven fashion where and when it is needed.

Reasonable Accommodation:

It is WCSI’s business philosophy and practice to provide reasonable accommodations, according to applicable state and federal laws, to all qualified individuals with disabilities.

This job description accurately reflects the duties and responsibilities of this position and assignment to the appropriate position classification.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $23.53 per hour

Expected hours: No less than 37.5 per week

Benefits:

• 403(b) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Loan forgiveness
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Nights as needed

Work Location: In person

Salary : $24