BRACE Community Navigator I

Centerstone•Bradenton, FL

8d•$17 - $23

About The Position

BRACE is a pilot program developed in partnership between Centerstone and the Palmetto Police Department (PPD) designed to increase community responses to people with mental illnesses and addictions and reduce law enforcement involvement in non-emergency, non-violent situations. Through BRACE, PPD emergency dispatchers will be able to send Community Navigators to certain calls for assistance with people experiencing behavioral health crises, including mental health conditions, substance use issues, suicide risk, homelessness, disorderly conduct, juvenile truancy/school refusal, and other situations that can be better addressed by a human services professional. Community Navigators can intervene in crisis situations by providing immediate engagement, assessment and safety planning, referral, direct linkages to mental health and substance use resources, recovery supports, and on-going follow-up for individuals and families to de-escalate crisis situations. Navigators create and build connections with clients and families to meet their behavioral health needs and reduce negative mental health symptomatology, work toward achieving recovery and life goals, and reducing the risks of future crises. Community navigator crisis interventions can reduce police involvement in non-emergency, low-risk calls for assistance; reduce repeated calls to police from the same person; increase opportunities for individuals to engage in needed mental health and substance use treatments, reduce stigma, and achieve better health and emotional well-being and improved quality of life outcomes.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college in the field of counseling, rehabilitation, or human services field required.
Work experience in mental health or substance use, domestic violence, criminal justice or related field required
Effectively communicate via written, verbal, in person and virtual methods.
Must have a valid drivers’ license and proof of auto insurance coverage.

Nice To Haves

Individuals with lived mental health or substance use experience are encouraged to apply (Note: Centerstone will assist you in obtaining Florida Peer Certification).

Responsibilities

Provide in-person crisis intervention to active 911 calls from dispatch based on specific criteria, including adults, children, adolescents, and families.
Coordinate, locate, and provide community resource assistance and support for common community requests and needs
Respond to law enforcement officer referrals and links clients to appropriate services and supports as needed
Complete initial and on-going client risk assessment to ensure safety
Obtain collateral information and collaborate with clients’ families, support systems, outside providers and involved agencies regarding service planning and progress in treatment, support services, and continuity of care
Provide information and assists clients and families in understanding and navigating the behavioral health and social service systems, including completing necessary applications for accessing services, benefits, etc.
Advocate for, coordinate, and directly link clients via warm hand-offs with needed mental health and/or addiction services, support groups, and other community resources (e.g., financial, housing, employment, parenting, benefits).
Transport clients to hospitals, shelters, doctors’ appointments and other community settings as needed.
Provide follow-up support and maintain regular contact with clients and family via phone, email, or in-person to monitor clients’ progress and ensure clients are connected to/sustain engagement in community services
Participate in Centerstone mandated staff trainings, meetings, and specialized law enforcement training programs, e.g., CIT, etc., and community outreach and education initiatives designed to reduce stigma associated with mental illnesses, and raise awareness about mental health, suicide prevention, and crisis response
Work collaboratively with Centerstone’s Mobile Response Team (MRT) and law enforcement partners to assess/triage individual crisis situations and type/level of needed intervention(s)