Mental Health Liaison - Prison

County of Delaware•Thornton, PA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Mental Health Liaison reports directly to the Director of Community & Justice Support. The Mental Health Liaison is responsible for identifying consumers with mental health needs at George W. Hill Correctional Facility, coordinating their release to service(s), and actively participating in an interdisciplinary approach to care for each consumer.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Services or a related field; or Associate Degree and 3+ years of relevant work experience.
Experience working within the criminal justice system.
Experience working with vulnerable populations.
Effective interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
Negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
Organization and time management skills.
Problem-solving skills and techniques.
Short- and long-range planning techniques.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Excellent analytical and planning skills.

Responsibilities

Identifies consumers with significant mental health needs as early as possible, either through referral or assessment.
Maintains a compassionate and client-centered approach to all service coordination and communication.
Completes a COMPASS application for each consumer with an anticipated discharge date to enroll in Medicaid. This includes the application, discharge letter, Employable Assessment Form signed by the Medical Director and inmate, photo ID, and signature page. These documents are then faxed to the local Department of Public Welfare.
Works together with the Department of Homeless Services to safely house consumers upon discharge to any/all housing services for which they are eligible.
Advocates for admission and acceptance to any/all services for which the consumer is eligible.
Functions as part of an interdisciplinary team to help connect consumers to services across OHS and support them through their criminal-legal proceedings.
Establishes positive, trusting relationships with consumers.
Facilitates all referrals to mental health providers in Delaware County for county residents, at either/both the consumer’s or court’s express request.
Facilitates all referrals for non-residents to mental health providers outside of Delaware County, at either/both the consumer’s or court’s express request.
Assists with obtaining medication verification when necessary and getting it to the appropriate medical personnel.
Advocates for in-facility services, such as timely access to mental and physical health providers.
Serves as the point of contact for the incarcerated consumer with family members, community providers, and the court system, updating them as necessary.
Participates in supervision and case conferences to leverage all available resources for discharge planning.
Contacts the consumer’s attorney (public defender or private attorney) for bail considerations, including the potential for unsecured bail upon referral to a provider.
Facilitates meetings with community case managers and community providers to maintain continuity of care.
Communicates with prison medical contractor staff regarding discharges to make sure the consumer is released with necessary medication(s).
Maintains, updates, and distributes a list of inmates who are currently at NSH, waiting to go to NSH/TSH, and those awaiting a court order to go to NSH.
Communicates with NSH/TSH staff regarding the transfer and return of consumers to NSH/TSH.
Assists the bail office with setting up appropriate services that they may want as part of a consumer’s bail conditions.
Maintains a database of inmates who have received services from the Liaison.