Community Program Liaison

Milwaukee County Wisconsin•Milwaukee, WI

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The CARS Intake Team Community Program Liaison functions as a CARS Access Point, assessing client needs, determining service eligibility, and managing program access and referrals to Behavioral Health Services CARS programs. This is a highly mobile, community-based role; while there is a two-day per week in-office requirement, the Liaison operates predominantly in the field, meeting clients where it is most convenient (e.g., inpatient hospitals, homes, jails, libraries, and public spaces). Duties include developing care plans, providing linkages to community resources, monitoring progress, and ensuring successful recovery transitions. This position assesses suicide risk and risk factors to create crisis response plans. Additionally, this role provides interim care coordination, maintains rigorous documentation standards, and collaborates with referral sources and BHS Legal to maintain Chapter 51 standards, discharge plans, and Civil Commitment follow-up.

Requirements

Current resident of Wisconsin.
Possession of a valid Wisconsin Driver’s License.
Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
At least three (3) years of professional experience with mental health and/or substance use disorders.
Knowledge of federal, state, and county regulations related to the provision of mental health services.
Willing and able to travel within the community up to 25% of the time in this role.

Responsibilities

Function as a CARS Access Point, conducting assessments to determine client needs, eligibility, and medical necessity.
Operate primarily in the community, conducting outreach and meeting clients in locations such as inpatient hospitals, homes, parks, coffee shops, restaurants, libraries, and jails.
Manage service authorization, intake, and referrals to long-term support programs.
Develop care plans under state guidelines, monitor client progress, and provide interim care coordination.
Provide linkages to services and resources in the community that help meet comprehensive client needs.
Follow up with clients to ensure successful transitions in their recovery journey.
Assess client suicide risk using the C-SSRS and address risk factors when clinically indicated utilizing the SAFE-T protocol.
Develop and implement crisis response plans.
Proactively escalate high-risk situations, complex Chapter 51 cases, or Civil Commitment hurdles to the designated Clinical Leads or the Integrated Services Manager for clinical oversight.
Collaborate with referral sources, inpatient facilities, justice system personnel, and BHS Legal to maintain Chapter 51 standards, develop appropriate discharge plans, and ensure Civil Commitment planning standards and follow-up are actively managed and met.
Maintain timely and accurate clinical documentation within the electronic health record (EHR).
Track intake metrics and ensure all case notes, assessments, and care plans meet departmental and state compliance standards.
Utilize effective oral and written communication and organizational skills.
Demonstrate the ability to work effectively and harmoniously with staff, clients, families, community organizations, and the public across highly diverse and dynamic field environments.
Perform all other duties as assigned.