Behavioral Health Specialist (Grant Funded)

Cook County • Chicago, IL

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Specialist, under the direction of the Senior Program Manager, will serve as a clinician for Cook County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), Cook County Department of Corrections (CCDOC). The Behavioral Health Specialist will work with a multidisciplinary team of professionals to engage participants in services and assist them with care coordination. They will provide individual and group interventions, case management, and supportive services to clients of the CCDOC. They will complete assessments, develop and review treatment and care plans, and coordinate community linkages for participants. They will coordinate efforts between criminal-legal system stakeholders, Cook County Health, community agencies, managed-care programs, benefit and entitlement organizations, and across the CCSO to deliver clinical reentry services. They will provide services to individuals preparing to be released from CCDOC custody and individuals recently released from custody. They will monitor, track, analyze, and manage grant related documentation, data, and outcomes as determined by grantor.

Requirements

• Possession of a bachelor’s or higher degree, from an accredited college or university, in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Social Sciences or a closely related field.
• Two (2) or more years of full time, professional work experience in the mental health field.
• One (1) or more years of full time, professional work experience in conducting mental health assessments.
• One (1) or more years of full time, professional work experience providing case management in a racially and ethnically diverse environment.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Ability to work within the Cook County Department of Corrections, including the ability to work directly with the individuals in custody population.
• Ability to walk long distances or stand for extended periods of time throughout the course of the assigned shift.
• Ability to work any shift assigned, including days, afternoons, or midnights; must be capable of working holidays and weekends; must be capable of working mandatory overtime, as required.

Nice To Haves

• Possession of a master’s or higher degree, from an accredited college or university, in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Social Sciences or a closely related field.
• Possession of an active state licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and/or a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC).
• Possession of certification as a Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor (CADC).
• Three (3) or more years of full time, professional work experience in a community mental health and/or hospital setting, performing mental health counseling and assessments.
• One (1) or more years of full time, professional work experience in a correctional facility.
• Possession of bilingual language skills.
• Acquaintance with the laws governing the establishment and operation of the Cook County Department of Corrections, familiarity with municipal and state criminal codes and procedures and knowledge of basic penal management security.

Responsibilities

• Assess participants for determination of clinical, socio-emotional, and reentry service needs; make recommendations on service care goals and plans; collect information through collateral sources, interviews, and observations.
• Operate from a trauma-informed approach during clinical and professional engagement.
• Conduct crisis needs assessments, crisis intervention, and crisis safety plans.
• Provide focused intervention to participants in consultation with CCSO staff and agency partners.
• Develop service care plans and help participants maintain stability.
• Actively participate in implementation of new programming opportunities for participants, and in collaboration with supervisors to play a key role in building and maintaining relationships with community partners related to programming.
• Communicate regularly with Sheriff’s Office leadership, civilian, and sworn staff, particularly in the CCDOC Records Department and Classification, the CCDOC Discharge Unit, and Cermak Health Services to make sure that discharging individuals coordinated releases or discharge plans are appropriately executed.
• Collaborate with relevant external partners with regard to returning citizens referrals for the purpose of setting and executing coordinated releases.
• Coordinate pre-release planning, treatment recommendations, social service referrals, and all other needs with internal and external organizations to ensure continuity of care.
• Establish a supportive, motivational, therapeutic relationship with participants; plan, organize and lead structured interventions; work to effect behavioral changes and help individuals make healthier life choices.
• Guide participants in the development of skills to assist in dealing with specific problems; assist with the understanding and management of mental health and chemical dependency issues; serve as a role model and coach regarding development of problem solving, decision-making and conflict resolution.
• Act as an advocate for the participant and CCSO in coordinating services with all treatment partners and criminal-legal system stakeholders.
• Track day-to-day operations in the Discharge Unit, to maintain or improve service quality while ensuring program sustainability and grant compliance.
• Maintain records and data that track cases to generate monthly, quarterly, and annual reports for internal purposes and grant reporting.
• Complete and maintain service-related paperwork, in accordance with state and federal requirements; write reports, treatment plans and recommendations, progress reports and other reports, as required.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment/care plan in correlation to the participant’s progress in resolving identified problems and meeting identified goals.
• Establish and maintain productive, professional relationships with a variety of community organizations.
• Provide consistent feedback to supervisor on ways of continually improving and streamlining program processes, operations, and outcomes.
• Complete all other duties as required by program leadership and the grantor.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage includes medical, dental and vision care and is available for an employee and his/her eligible dependents.
• Thirteen (13) Holidays are granted in each Fiscal Year. Employees who are active at the beginning of the fiscal year (December 1st) also qualify for a floating holiday.
• Granted sick leave is earned and accrued at the rate of one (1) day for each month of service and may be accumulated up to one hundred and seventy-five (175) working days.
• Granted Vacation leave is earned and accrued, with employees having the opportunity to accrue fifteen (15) days within the Fiscal Year; Vacation leave accruals increase based on an employee’s anniversary date of employment.
• Basic term life insurance, equal to one (1) time the employee’s annual salary, is offered to every employee at no cost and the employee may elect to purchase supplemental coverage.
• Employees contribute into the Cook County Pension Fund and earn a prescribed percentage for each year of service; employees may be eligible for an annual annuity after ten (10) years of service and upon reaching a certain age based on when the employee started employment.
• Employees may elect to enroll in a deferred compensation plan, a tax deferred plan which may be used as a supplemental retirement option.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level