Co-Responder - Police Department

City of Cape Girardeau•Cape Girardeau, MO

20h•Onsite

About The Position

The Co-Responder will respond as a qualified Mental Health Professional with the Cape Girardeau Police Department to aid in addressing the needs of community members that live with, or support those with mental illness, substance abuse issues, developmental disabilities, social services deficits, or other crisis situations, to reduce the need for police and other emergency services. The Co-Responder will provide modified case-management to assist in the successful connection of community members to service referrals, but will not provide therapy or traditional therapeutic services in a client and therapist relationship.

Requirements

Knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal criminal and civil law.
Working knowledge of major mental illness, traumatic brain injury, trauma informed care, intellectual/developmental disabilities, substance use disorders, suicide assessments, safety planning and crisis de-escalation.
Working knowledge in linking individuals to services and appropriate follow up for individuals in crisis.
Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written English, to include public speaking.
Knowledge of local community programs and services.
Knowledge of modern technology and equipment, including computers and related software applications.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, coworkers, and other law enforcement/judicial personnel.
Valid Missouri’s driver’s license.
Must have no convictions for felonies or crimes involving domestic violence.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology or related human service field.
Minimum of two consecutive years of employment experience working with the severely mentally ill.

Responsibilities

Act in a first responder role with the Cape Girardeau Police Department.
Respond to calls from dispatch to directly intervene in crisis situations as reported by law enforcement providing behavioral health care as assessing mental status, risk and clinical needs of individuals in high-stress situations with a focus on connecting individuals involved to the appropriate service and level of care.
Evaluate clinical need for hospitalization or appropriateness for involuntary treatment according to legal criteria and make recommendations to law enforcement when needed.
Facilitate continuity of care between service providers, corrections, the judicial system, shelters, emergency departments, and other agencies when appropriate.
Attempt to follow up with individuals, family, or loved ones within 48 hours either directly, by phone, or by referring to a service provider when appropriate.
Connect community members, family, and significant others to services when appropriate and answer service questions as needed.
Ensure all interactions are documented and tracked appropriately and timely, with the understanding that data collection is vital to the goal of identifying service needs within the community.
Provide training and education to officers, the public, community groups, agencies, and/or media about mental health topics, and mental health response as needed.
Follow all directives and safety protocols as determined by police and offer directives on calls for service.
Attends and participates in community coordination meetings and organizations as needed.
Performs other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

Thirteen paid holidays per year.
96 hours of vacation – accrued throughout the year.
96 hours of sick leave – accrued throughout the year.
2 days of personal leave per fiscal year.
City paid monthly premiums for health and dental insurance – Employee only.
City paid monthly life insurance for employee only (1 times annual salary up to $50,000).
Optional group term life insurance purchased at employee’s expense.
Optional vision insurance purchased at employee’s expense.
Voluntary deferred compensation plan – not matched by the City.
Retirement (LAGERS) paid by the City.