Jail Diversion Specialist

Saginaw County Community Mental Health Authority • Saginaw, MI

7h • $67,326 - $83,930

About The Position

Under general supervision of the Mental Health Supervisor III (State Facility and Forensic Intensive Case Management), provides service as a jail diversion specialist in this Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment Team with a special population focus on persons referred by Law Enforcement Agencies or the County of Saginaw Jail who may be in need of intensive mental health services as an alternative to incarceration, as either pre-booking or post-booking diversion. Works as a member of a multi-departmental group with Pre-Admission Screening, Care Management and State Facility and Forensic Intensive Case Management units with shared performance goals related to access, customer satisfaction and risk management. Functions as a liaison to the Saginaw County Mental Health Court. This position will be knowledgeable about and actively support culturally competent recovery based practices; person centered planning as a shared decision making process with the individual, who defines his/her life goals and is assisted in developing a unique path toward those goals; and a trauma informed culture of safety to aid consumer in the recovery process.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in a mental health related field from an accredited school.
• Valid Michigan Driver’s license with a good driving record.
• A limited licensed master’s social worker (LLMSW), licensed master’s social worker (LMSW), limited licensed professional counselor (LLPC), licensed professional counselor (LPC), limited licensed marriage and family therapist (LLMFT), licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), limited licensed psychologist (LLP) and licensed psychologist (LP).
• A minimum of three (3) years experience in dealing with individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. Must have experience working with criminal justice system such as probation, parole, court staff or prosecutor’s staff, community corrections, or law enforcement or equivalent role which would provide working knowledge of criminal justice system.
• Knowledge of mental illness, psychology, social work, criminal justice system, sexual offenders, and mental health programs.
• Strong skills in developing collaborative relationships with diverse groups of individuals with a warm and empathic personality.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to function with a great deal of professional independence under the general direction of a supervisor.
• Excellent communications skills with respect to listening, oral, written and public speaking.
• Ability to understand individuals from all social, economic, and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to facilitate communication between individuals with differing views.
• Ability to utilize an electronic medical record.
• Hearing acuity to converse in person and on telephone.
• Visual Acuity to observe consumer behavior, read and proofread documents and use CRT.
• Ability to walk, stand or sit for extended periods of time.
• Manual dexterity to write and to operate standard office equipment (PC, Keyboard, Copy Machine, Fax Machine, etc.)
• Ability to lift and carry files and supplies at least 20 pounds.
• Strong interpersonal skills to interact with leadership, employees, consumers and the general public.
• Analytical skills necessary to conduct research, analyze, and interpret complex data and identify and solve problems by proposing courses of action.
• Ability to plan short and long range and to manage and schedule time.
• Ability to handle stress in meeting deadlines and dealing with large numbers of employees and/or consumers.
• Must pass screening requirements for staff access to Saginaw County Jail.

Responsibilities

• Functions as a liaison and acts as a champion to the Saginaw County Mental Health Court.
• Provides intensive individual counseling services and crisis stabilization care.
• Screens, assesses and diagnosis consumers referred for services. Interviews consumer/family and others as appropriate to obtain background history. Uses the ASI (Addiction Severity Index), MAST (Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test), LOCUS, and other assessment tools requiring knowledge of severe mental illness and substance abuse. Conducts and documents full mental status exam.
• Provides person centered planning in the context of jail diversion: working with the consumer, primary care givers and law enforcement agencies, the courts, the prosecutor, and probation services to facilitate a plan in which the consumer can successfully abstain from behaviors, symptoms and circumstances which put them at risk of re-arrest, violation of probation orders or re-incarceration.
• Participates as a member of the Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment Team serving persons with serious mental illness and substance use disorders in a team context. May be assigned as case manager or therapist for persons who are at risk of incarceration, re-incarceration or who are on a court ordered pre-trial diversion plan. Works collaboratively with mental health and correction agencies to provide short term intensive monitoring of jail diversion plans.
• May provide daily consumer contact and monitoring of supervision in residential or community settings. May coordinate with psychiatric inpatient care and post discharge planning to resume jail diversion plan. Consults with corrections and law enforcement when consumer is at risk of non-compliance with agreed upon plan and may require additional correctional interventions. Prepares written reports to probation, parole or the Court as required.
• May transport consumers to appointments or other treatment sites. Provides outreach services to consumers who need to be contacted at their home or other community settings including: jail, hospitals, homeless shelters.
• Coordinates support for and works with self help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Al Anon, Narcotics Anonymous, or Cocaine Anonymous. Works with individuals in recovery as coworkers or volunteers.
• Incorporates substance abuse and mental health recovery principles in all aspects of services provided.
• Maintains a positive treatment environment which promotes motivation, positive self regard in consumers and dignity and respect with other agencies or individuals with whom the client may interact.
• Coordinates inter-program service delivery in a crisis stabilization plan. Other services might include: ACT, Clubhouse, Community Support Services (Client Services Management, Psychiatry, Nursing and Supports Coordination).
• Prepares required documentation, summaries and notes reflecting specific goals and objectives in the electronic medical record. Maintains documentation of jail diversion activities in the electronic medical record and other formats as required for reporting to MDCH. Reports in a timely and accurate manner all services provided.
• Works with faith based and similar community groups to create and expand natural support system for individuals diverted from incarceration.
• Maintains tracking database for individuals diverted and provides reports to SCCMHA Quality Committees, to courts and law enforcement groups as requested.
• Monitors court ordered diversion plans for consumer and provider compliance.
• May provide community training to law enforcement or other groups to ensure effective interface between corrections and mental health systems.
• Adheres to the mission, vision, core values and operating principles of SCCMHA at all times.

Benefits

• $6,000 Recruitment Bonus for Clinical Master level new hires!! ($2,000 paid at start, $2,000 paid after 3 months, and $2,000 paid after successful probation period.)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees