Law Enforcement and Municipal Court Liaison

NORTH TEXAS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AUTHORITY•Dallas, TX

2d•$65,000 - $68,000

About The Position

North Texas Behavioral Health Authority (NTBHA), based in Dallas is responsible for developing a collaborative system of care for children, adolescents and adults with severe mental illness and other serious emotional disturbances, as well as those experiencing a substance use disorder. This position’s actions and work must align with NTBHA values and goals, regulations, and policies and procedures, and meet all documentation standards and regulatory requirements. NTBHA is the Local Behavioral Health Authority (LBHA) contracted by Texas Human Services Commission (HHSC) to provide mental health and substance use disorder services to qualified indigent consumers in our six-county region of Dallas, Ellis, Hunt, Kaufman, Navarro, and Rockwall Counties. NTBHA is responsible for developing a collaborative system of care for individuals in crisis in the NTBHA service area. This position’s actions and work must align with NTBHA values and goals, regulations, and policies and procedures, and meet all documentation standards and regulatory requirements. NTBHA is seeking a person with excellent organizational and clinical skills to work in conjunction with the various components of various multidisciplinary or co-responder teams working with law enforcement and emergency medical services as well as municipal courts. This position will assist these partners in providing follow up to service calls, post-hospital discharge follow up and engagement, and coordinating appropriate behavioral health services responses through contacts in the community and also through the municipal courts. The Law Enforcement and Municipal Court Liaison will work in accordance with the partner agencies as well as NTBHA policies and procedures. The position will manage the care coordination for basic case management and engagement, follow up and engagement to referrals from the co-responder teams, community outreach referals from partners, and assistance with municipal courts as needed. Their role is to supervise the development of care coordination operations with partner agencies by managing dedicated care coordinators and also conducting direct care coordination as well. The liaison will work with municipal courts and partner agencies to determine needed services, participate in behavioral health leadership teams, represent NTBHA with partner agencies, and engage community providers to assist those living in the service areas with connections to appropriate care. The Law Enforcement and Municipal Court Liaison will also conduct assessments for care coordination in municipal jails as needed. The care coordinators and liaison will make appropriate referrals to available resources and assist those in the community in linkage to that care. The Law Enforcement and Municipal Court Liaison will communicate consistently and effectively with partner agencies and other NTBHA staff regarding clients’ progress, barriers, and needs. They will be expected to work closely and collaboratively with community mental health agencies and relevant first responder personnel regarding clients in order to develop effective responses to citizens in need. The team will also provide updates and feedback on referrals that are made to the team, and will communicate and coordinate with community providers regarding services for referals. Where municipal courts and/or specialty courts are involved the Law Enforcement and Municipal Court Liaison will work with those courts to coordinate care and develop programs that include community providers and resources in the community. This position may require travel throughout the counties served by NTBHA: Dallas, Ellis, Rockwall, Kaufman, Navarro, and Hunt and potentially other areas on a very limited basis. Reliable transportation and valid driver’s license and car insurance are required. May require cellular availability after hours and flexible work hours to meet program needs. Responsible for adherence to and compliance with NTBHA policies and procedures as well as state and federal regulatory codes. Additional training relevant to telephonic crisis intervention may also be required. Additional background checks and clearances may also be needed. Travel is required as part of this role’s duties. Travel can vary from 20% to 100% per day. This would include all counties within NTBHA Catchment area (Dallas, Ellis, Hunt, Kaufman, Navarro & Rockwall Counties). This role may be required to use a fleet vehicle and/or a personal vehicle for business needs. This may include, but not limited to field & home visits, offsite meetings, co-located sites and/or pick up items for business needs, etc. If your program requires transport of individuals, this would only be allowed with a company vehicle and approval from management. QualificationsJob duties, responsibilities, and skills: Use NTBHA’s approved curriculum and assessments with clients in accordance with their developmental and cognitive abilities as well as their mental health status and symptoms. Use city and law enforcement information systems as required. Assist clients while they are in crisis in accessing appropriate mental health services and facilitate appropriate continuity of care. Provide accurate and timely reporting metrics to the Director of Intensive and Forensic Services. Make accurate and effective assessments and recommendations regarding the client’s mental health needs in compliance with the client’s rights as well as all relevant State and Federal statutes, and NTBHA policies and procedures. Develop and maintain rapport with persons in crisis using modalities such as Motivational Interviewing and other relevant and appropriate methods in order to communicate and relate with callers in order to resolve crises. Develop and maintain rapport with the various agencies and organizations involved with the co-responder programs. Prepare, create, and maintain records, files, documents, reports, and correspondence both within NTBHA and partner agencies and organizations. Work with other NTBHA employees, members of partner agencies and organizations, as well as the target population and their families in a constructive and efficient fashion. Bilingual ability preferred but not required. Hours and shift assignments may be outside of normal business hours. Must be able to work on and have knowledge of a PC (personal computer). Advanced Microsoft Office Suite skills - Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc., with an ability to become familiar with company-specific programs and software. Duties and projects may be assigned or changed to meet business needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or a related behavioral health field.
Minimum of two years of experience in community mental health working with individuals having severe persistent mental illness and substance use disorders that includes crisis services.
Knowledge of the Texas crisis response requirements.
Knowledge of the various community resources and providers within the NTBHA service area including (but not limited to) supportive housing and employment, shelters, food banks, social service agencies, charities, medical and behavioral health providers, and other resources for the indigent population.
Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
Pass and maintain a clear background record as required for healthcare organization under state and federal contracts in addition to possible requirements for access to law enforcement information systems.
Must be able to work on and have knowledge of a PC (personal computer).
Advanced Microsoft Office Suite skills - Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc., with an ability to become familiar with company-specific programs and software.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual ability preferred but not required.
Experience in telephone or field crisis response teams, co-responder teams, and courts is preferred.
Experience in providing psychosocial education, skills training, or assessments, particularly with the target population.
Experience with participating in a treatment team that develops and monitors treatment plans for persons with severe persistent mental illness and substance use disorders.

Responsibilities

Use NTBHA’s approved curriculum and assessments with clients in accordance with their developmental and cognitive abilities as well as their mental health status and symptoms.
Use city and law enforcement information systems as required.
Assist clients while they are in crisis in accessing appropriate mental health services and facilitate appropriate continuity of care.
Provide accurate and timely reporting metrics to the Director of Intensive and Forensic Services.
Make accurate and effective assessments and recommendations regarding the client’s mental health needs in compliance with the client’s rights as well as all relevant State and Federal statutes, and NTBHA policies and procedures.
Develop and maintain rapport with persons in crisis using modalities such as Motivational Interviewing and other relevant and appropriate methods in order to communicate and relate with callers in order to resolve crises.
Develop and maintain rapport with the various agencies and organizations involved with the co-responder programs.
Prepare, create, and maintain records, files, documents, reports, and correspondence both within NTBHA and partner agencies and organizations.
Work with other NTBHA employees, members of partner agencies and organizations, as well as the target population and their families in a constructive and efficient fashion.