Bridges Senior Service Professional- 6th, 12th, and 22nd Judicial Districts

Bridges of Colorado•Southwest, CO

9d•$79,391 - $107,178•Hybrid

About The Position

Established in 2018, Bridges of Colorado places service professionals across Colorado's 23 judicial districts to serve defendants (referred to as participants) in the criminal justice system who have significant mental health needs. Individuals with high acuity mental health needs are ten times more likely to be jailed and nationally there are three times more individuals with serious mental illness in jails or prisons than in hospitals. Bridges has been identified nationwide as a promising practice that focuses on the whole person. It is intentionally designed to address disparities often experienced by this population in the criminal justice system. Bridges service professionals advocate for each participant’s inherent worth and dignity by centering their lived experiences and voice to ensure their behavioral health best interests. At its very core, Bridges is person-centered advocacy rooted in solution-focused, collaborative practices intended to promote positive outcomes for participants. This role exemplifies our values of being Person-Centered by · Providing ongoing, personalized engagement with participants through person-centered, solution-focused case management. · Conducting intakes, screenings, and assessments with participants for mental health, behavioral health, and social determinants of health needs. This may take place in jail, court, home or community-based settings. · Making direct connections to, and support engagement with, a wide range of services for participants, including, but not limited to, case management services, behavioral health or psychiatric services or supports, and employment, housing, and other social supports. · Tracking activity on cases through accurate and timely case noting and recording of information in the Bridges case management system and other relevant systems, including relevant outcomes. Provide additional data as requested by the Bridges leadership team in a timely manner. · Carrying participant caseloads that will typically be smaller and with higher levels of mental health acuity or case complexity. · Accompanying Bridge service professionals on home visits as needed. · Engaging in specific projects/assignments to support Bridges team culture and values. Solution-Focused by · Informing judicial officers and attorneys (via reports to the court and appearances at court hearings) about participant needs regarding mental health, social determinants of health, and equitable access to related services. · Informing judicial officers and attorneys within timelines outlined through legislation, MOU’s and program requirements about available and appropriate mental or behavioral health services and supports, and other relevant decisions, barriers, and issues facing participants. · Submitting all required reports to courts and attend hearings as necessary or requested. · Advocating for the behavioral health best interests of participants with judicial officers and attorneys while engaging the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and legal neutrality. · Along with coverage service professionals, having the ability to provide coverage during vacancies, extended leave, or to support service professionals with high caseloads/waitlists. · Functioning as a resource expert across the assigned district(s) and region. Collaborative by · Fostering collaboration and communication between behavioral health and criminal justice systems in ways that promote positive outcomes and ensure participants are treated fairly and humanely, regardless of their behavioral health history or mental state. · Coordinating with courts, attorneys, jails, hospitals and service providers to ensure continuity of care and service delivery for participants at both entrance into and exit from these systems and facilities, striving to problem solve gaps and barriers as necessary. · Collaborating and coordinating with service providers in ways that increase access to services for participants. This may include problem solving with partners, advocating for participant needs, identifying gaps and barriers, exploring funding solutions, and attending community meetings. · Providing informal and non-case specific consultation, education, and advocacy with all court and community partners in order to address systemic barriers across both the behavioral health and criminal justice systems. · Provide lead function, mentoring, shadowing, or explain work instructions to other court liaisons across assigned district(s) or region. · Providing Bridges service professional essential functions across multiple districts in a region in accordance with regional team priorities as identified by Regional Manager. · Supporting Regional Manager in providing judicial and attorney education across districts in a region in alignment with education materials, strategies, and priorities identified by Bridges leadership. · Supporting Regional Manager in addressing community-based gaps, barriers, problem solving, and initiating needs-based projects and solutions across districts in a region in alignment with education materials, strategies, and priorities identified by Bridges leadership. No supervisory duties

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in social justice, social work, sociology, criminology, or a related field.
Candidates must have a minimum of three (3+) years experience in criminal justice, behavioral health, or related field.
Demonstrated professional alignment with Bridges values, culture, and principles of justice and equity throughout the organization.
At least two (2+) years as an employee or contractor with Bridges may substitute for the minimum qualifications above, with additional specialized training that may be required upon hire.
Years of relevant work experience may substitute for the educational requirement with the exception of any required licenses, certifications, or accreditations.
Years of education may substitute for the work experience requirement.
Relevant lived experience could be considered as a substitution for educational and/or work experience with the exception of any required licenses, certifications, or accreditations. Please contact Jori Dovey, [email protected], to determine whether your lived experience substitutes for any of the minimum qualifications.
Be a current resident of the State of Colorado or become a resident of the State of Colorado within 30 days of the hire date
Have reliable transportation to meet your position’s travel requirements
Ability to work remotely, in an office setting, and travel throughout Colorado or region, depending on the position’s responsibilities
Be willing to submit to a routine background investigation, including a criminal history check
If hired, the Immigration Reform and Control Act requires you to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the United States within three (3) workdays of your start date.

Nice To Haves

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree in social justice, social work, sociology, criminology, or a related field.
Six or more (6+) years experience in criminal justice, behavioral health, or related field.
Hold a current license in Colorado as an LCSW, LMFT, LPC, and/or LAC.
Demonstrated continuing education, advocacy, or volunteer work in DEI, JEDI, or social justice principles. Lived experience will also be considered.
Spanish speaking is a plus, and levels of proficiency will be considered in an employee’s pay.
Work experience in both criminal justice and behavioral health, including experience with the competency system.

Responsibilities

Providing ongoing, personalized engagement with participants through person-centered, solution-focused case management.
Conducting intakes, screenings, and assessments with participants for mental health, behavioral health, and social determinants of health needs. This may take place in jail, court, home or community-based settings.
Making direct connections to, and support engagement with, a wide range of services for participants, including, but not limited to, case management services, behavioral health or psychiatric services or supports, and employment, housing, and other social supports.
Tracking activity on cases through accurate and timely case noting and recording of information in the Bridges case management system and other relevant systems, including relevant outcomes. Provide additional data as requested by the Bridges leadership team in a timely manner.
Carrying participant caseloads that will typically be smaller and with higher levels of mental health acuity or case complexity.
Accompanying Bridge service professionals on home visits as needed.
Engaging in specific projects/assignments to support Bridges team culture and values.
Informing judicial officers and attorneys (via reports to the court and appearances at court hearings) about participant needs regarding mental health, social determinants of health, and equitable access to related services.
Informing judicial officers and attorneys within timelines outlined through legislation, MOU’s and program requirements about available and appropriate mental or behavioral health services and supports, and other relevant decisions, barriers, and issues facing participants.
Submitting all required reports to courts and attend hearings as necessary or requested.
Advocating for the behavioral health best interests of participants with judicial officers and attorneys while engaging the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and legal neutrality.
Along with coverage service professionals, having the ability to provide coverage during vacancies, extended leave, or to support service professionals with high caseloads/waitlists.
Functioning as a resource expert across the assigned district(s) and region.
Fostering collaboration and communication between behavioral health and criminal justice systems in ways that promote positive outcomes and ensure participants are treated fairly and humanely, regardless of their behavioral health history or mental state.
Coordinating with courts, attorneys, jails, hospitals and service providers to ensure continuity of care and service delivery for participants at both entrance into and exit from these systems and facilities, striving to problem solve gaps and barriers as necessary.
Collaborating and coordinating with service providers in ways that increase access to services for participants. This may include problem solving with partners, advocating for participant needs, identifying gaps and barriers, exploring funding solutions, and attending community meetings.
Providing informal and non-case specific consultation, education, and advocacy with all court and community partners in order to address systemic barriers across both the behavioral health and criminal justice systems.
Provide lead function, mentoring, shadowing, or explain work instructions to other court liaisons across assigned district(s) or region.
Providing Bridges service professional essential functions across multiple districts in a region in accordance with regional team priorities as identified by Regional Manager.
Supporting Regional Manager in providing judicial and attorney education across districts in a region in alignment with education materials, strategies, and priorities identified by Bridges leadership.
Supporting Regional Manager in addressing community-based gaps, barriers, problem solving, and initiating needs-based projects and solutions across districts in a region in alignment with education materials, strategies, and priorities identified by Bridges leadership.

Benefits

health, dental, and vision coverage for spouses, families, and domestic partners
employer-paid basic life and AD&D insurance and short and long-term disability insurance
Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA) benefits
family and parental leave benefits
generous paid time off
professional and career development opportunities, including clinical supervision toward relevant licensure
A cell phone will be provided, along with a hybrid work arrangement when feasible for your position’s responsibilities
Each employee will receive a laptop for their home office or travel for work
All employees will also receive exclusive parking at a discounted rate near the Ralph Carr Judicial building for easy access to the in-person meetings in Denver

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