Summary
This is a full-time non-exempt position primarily responsible for providing support and assistance to persons with mental illness and co-occurring disorders involved with the criminal justice system 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 are discussed at bi-weekly supervision meetings where priority assignments are identified, and performance expectations are reviewed and monitored. 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. Primary work week would be 37.5 hours/week with a 30-minute lunch unless otherwise agreed upon.
Compliance:
As with all WCSI positions, it is the expectation that employees adhere to WCSI, County, State and Federal guidelines, regulation, policies, and laws which govern the business and service of WCSI.
This position requires the employee to perform their daily job duties and responsibilities in a structured work environment.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Includes the following, (other duties may be assigned as deemed necessary by management):
Liaison Activities:
Develops strategies for resolving specific 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 Liaison works 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 prison, and behavioral health providers.
Referral, service linkage, community support networking and development, and case monitoring are essential job duties. Documentation of all service contacts are maintained in client charts. Completes all service activity documentation accurately and promptly. Responsible for achieving their required productivity rate.
May assist clients with urgent/emergent problem-resolution, including telephone, and in-person intervention on an as-needed basis.
Monitoring and Coordination Activities:
The Criminal Justice Liaison will develop a knowledge base and eventual expertise of the criminal justice system and how it 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 regarding the behavioral health system to support ease of navigation.
The Criminal Justice Liaison is responsible for working collaboratively with community resources to reduce some of the barriers to obtaining services for this population. This ongoing collaboration and coordination will assist persons with mental illness and co-occurring disorders to more successfully obtain 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 providers, 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, district attorneys, public defenders, etc. to work for the possible intercept of the individual from the criminal justice system. Provides education on the Behavioral Health System to Criminal Justice professionals and judges, which may include the development of outreach presentations on the Behavioral Health system and participate in outreach activities at committees and meetings for criminal justice professionals (i.e., judges, magistrates, district attorneys, public defenders, etc.), and other community providers.
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 case records, documents contacts with clients and collateral contacts. Updates forms as needed. Reviews charts for compliance with department standards. 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 effective group facilitation. The Criminal Justice Liaison is responsible for collecting and maintaining data specific to referrals, diversion and client engagement.
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/or 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, Registrations, Licenses:
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 (List of Excluded Individuals/Entities) and SAM (System for Award Management).
Other:
As a requirement of employment, certain personal information (Birth Date, Driver’s License, Diplomas, Transcripts, etc.) can be shared in a confidential communication as related to regulations, licensure and/or insurance carrier contracts.
As with all WCSI positions, this position will adhere to all random drug screening requirements, as set forth by WCSI Policy.
ENVIRONMENT, PHYSICAL and MENTAL CONDITIONS
Physical/Mental 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, Criminal Justice Liaison services are provided in a structured office setting and may also take place in the community where the client resides or needs the service, which may include providing services within the courts or the prison. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to a combination of office and outside/travel conditions and regularly exposed to moderate levels of noise. Exposure to outside weather conditions will exist.
The work environment for this position requires the employee to have the skills and ability to perform their daily job duties and responsibilities in an unstructured work environment.
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.