Intake Clinician

Center for Alternative • New York, NY

42d • $61,800 - $70,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Courts Department is seeking a highly skilled and compassionate Bilingual Court Intake Social Worker to join our team. The social worker will play a crucial role in the initial assessment and referral process for individuals entering the court system, particularly those with mental health, substance abuse, or other behavioral health needs. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in clinical assessment, excellent communication skills, and a deep commitment to improving the lives of those in the community. CASES is a New York City agency at the forefront of the intersection between behavioral health and the criminal justice system. Our mission is to increase public safety through innovative services that reduce crime and incarceration, improve behavioral health, promote recovery and rehabilitation, and create opportunities for success in the community. The CASES Court Services department services court mandates or endorsed programming at all points in the criminal legal process. CASES operates, alternative to detention (ATD) and alternative to incarceration (ATI) community-based programs that are facilitated by the NYS Office of Court Administration (OCA) judiciary. CASES interfaces with multiple stakeholders to support these ATD and ATI program options for thousands of defendants in multiple boroughs. Specifically, the arraignment team screens approximately 10,000 defendants a year for ATD and ATI programs, Supervised Release and Newstart. Additionally, the ATI Intake Assessment Team screens 500 people per year to divert people into 3 (three) CASES community-based programs: Reframing Opportunity Alternatives and Resilience (ROAR), Nathaniel Community Success (NCS), and Nathaniel Assertive Community Treatment (NACT). All Court Services teams are dedicated to the CASES mission and facilitating release and positive court outcomes.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in social work or human service field required.
• LMHC, MHC-LP, LMSW, LCSW w/ current NYS licensure (or ability to obtain within 6 months from hire).
• Highly articulate, resourceful, and professional – able to stand up in court and present detailed information.
• Proven ability to function effectively in a high paced and stressful environment.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse group of participants and staff.
• Interest in, and sensitivity to, issues facing justice-involved individuals.
• Ability to quickly gather and evaluate the accuracy of information and use good judgement within time constraints and high-volume courtrooms.
• Excellent public speaking skills. Ability to formulate persuasive arguments for eligible defendants to be placed in CASES programs.
• Excellent analytical and written skills
• Ability to work autonomously.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual

Responsibilities

• Review preliminary information about a participant’s needs, including arrest case information, criminal legal history, medical and mental health records, and attorney recommendations.
• Undertake screening interviews with potential participants by explaining the process and the CASES program(s), administering a comprehensive assessment, and conduct risk assessments utilizing the HCR-20 v3 and the Short-Term Assessment of Risk and Treatability (START) adult and adolescent versions.
• Conduct screening and assessment of individuals incarcerated, in the community, and at Forensic Psychiatric Centers and be able to effectively manage crises to ensure participant safety and well-being.
• Develop comprehensive reports following interview and records review to develop individualized ATI program plans, in compliance with ATI assessment requirements and quality standards, to advocate with prosecutors and judges on behalf of participants to approve ATI disposition.
• Maintain excellent professional relationships with judges, district attorneys, defense counsel, probation, other court partners, and CASES community staff, to facilitate program admissions and maintain the credibility of CASES in court.
• Complete all necessary intake paperwork, including entering participant information into the ECM/AWARDS databases.
• Participate in clinical supervision, case review meetings, staff meetings, in-service training programs, relevant quality improvement, coaching, and planning activities.
• Provide culturally competent services ensuring the consideration of the role of ethnic/racial, cultural, social, economic, and behavioral factors in the accessibility, availability, and delivery of evaluation services.
• Mentor less experienced colleagues in the intricacies of Court procedures, and CASES programs, especially eligibility and clinical criteria.
• Help ensure we maintain a safe working environment by reporting any hazards or unsafe conditions, e.g., liquid spill in hallway, to the appropriate facilities staff member or supervisor.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by supervisors.

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Vacation and Paid Time Off – starting at 25 days off annually, Plus an additional summer selfcare day.
• 12 Paid Holidays per year.
• Our Workplace Flexibility Policy allows for various work arrangements, where possible. May be Fully onsite, Hybrid, Flexible, or Fully Remote see individual job descriptions work schedule details.
• Retirement 403(b) Competitive matching up to 6%.
• Employee Referral Program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees