This work unit exists to monitor and provide support and treatment interventions to Conditionally Released (CR) clients pursuant to C.R.S. 16-8-115 and clients on Temporary Physical Removal/Community Placement (CP) pursuant to C.R.S. 16-8-118. The Department of Human Services is legally mandated to supervise clients when released from their criminal commitments. The Forensic Community-Based Services (FCBS) program provides this supervision. FCBS provides the full array of clinical support, case management, linkage, and networking for NGRI and Incompent To Proceed, not likely to be restored in the foreseeable future (PITP) clients, transitioning from inpatient to Community Placement. The program exists to provide emergency psychiatric evaluation, triage, and support to ensure client/community safety. FCBS provides consultation, training, and monitoring of Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC) serving the client on CP/CR status.About the Position:
This FCBS Case Manager position provides an array of clinical, medical and legal supports to the client caseload assigned to this position. This position partners with the client and the OCFMH/FCBS team to provide for a smooth and safe transition into the community, when clinically ready, and assistance to maintain that level of stability throughout the client’s transition to Unconditional Release status. This could include everything from assisting clients in locating clean affordable housing to testifying in court regarding client progress while living in the community. This position works closely with patient Social Workers to aid the client in progressing to the community, when clinically ready; avoiding additional time spent in the hospital waiting to find appropriate community support.
This position provides ongoing case management services and maintains close structured contact with the clients on their caseload to monitor behavior, substance abuse and treatment, and psychiatric stability. The case manager monitors current clients living in the community for signs of psychiatric decompensation and the possible need for further psychiatric re-stabilization up to and including re-hospitalization. In providing oversight to FCBS clients, this position communicates regularly with FCBS team members and other representatives of community-based treatment programs to assess the risks and current status of clients. Strong clinical, assessment, and communication skills are a must for this position. This person reports directly to the Southern CR Coordinator. This position is based in the Pueblo office of FCBS and is responsible for extensive travel to various judicial districts to meet directly in person with clients, assess client needs, identify resources needed by the client, and arrange for increases in services, where necessary. Job duties in this position include:
Direct Clinical Assistance and Coordination:

• provide ongoing monitoring of the client's psychiatric stability and safety in the community and respond to the client’s clinical needs through direct client care and scrutiny of the client's stability in community living
• liaison and consult with Community Mental Health Centers or other vendors regarding the delivery of mental health/psychiatric emergency services, discharge planning, consulting with providers of Drug/Alcohol services, Vocational Rehabilitation services, Sex Offender Treatment, etc.
• provide counseling as needed
• provide medication monitoring, management and consultation to the client, family, and other providers on medication protocol, side effects, expectations, and education in general
• assesses and selects the most accurate application of clinical and FCBS Case Manager skills to specific situations. Re-evaluate and re-assess decision-making to ensure the safety and security of the client and the community
• applies FCBS Case Manager assessment to include urinalysis, breath analysis, or review of lab reports and reports related to plethysmograph or polygraph. May ask for assistance from other Case Managers, OCFMH clinicians, and possibly the treating physician/provider regarding the interpretation of reports and communication related to this position’s analysis of the findings
• provide necessary interventions to maintain the client in a stable situation including emergency evaluation for re-hospitalization
• assesses and evaluates the client related to violence risk and works in conjunction with others involved, i.e. internal and external personnel, to appropriately respond and alter the Plan of Care to ensure community safety while increasing the client’s independence

Case Management Services:

• assures and monitors the required delivery of a variety of non-treatment services
• assists inpatient Social Worker with developing and implementing appropriate discharge planning for individuals being considered for community placement
• liaison between Community Mental Health Centers and inpatient Social Worker to assist in discharge process of client to the community
• assures that clients will have adequate finances, shelter, food and clothing to live safely in the community
• assures and promotes active communication regarding the acquisition and maintenance of housing and promotes placements of individuals in suitable housing through coordination with others involved (internal or external) personnel and under the supervision of CR Coordinator/FCBS Director/Clinical Director
• assist and monitor the use of the food procurement processes such as food stamps, debit cards specific to food suppliers, and other procurement mechanisms through coordination with and under the supervision of the CR Coordinator/FCBS Director/Clinical Director
• encourages and assists with supportive facilitation of meal planning, efficient purchasing, and food preparation
• encourages implementation and communication regarding mechanisms for purchasing of needed clothing and other minimal household goods through coordination with other involved (internally and externally) personnel and under the supervision of the FCBS Director or designee
• assists with the tracking and providing delivery methods of prescription medications.
• provides consultation to clients regarding stipend monies and monitors expenses to ensure purchases are within the legal perimeters set up by the court
• regular communication and coordination with employers and others outside the supervisory chains to provide clarifying and educating issues related to the care of forensic clients in the community including risk assessments and responsibilities to the court
• provides consultation and support for vocational rehabilitation counselors and potential employers of the legally involved client
• coordinates the care given by the diverse agencies and providers and develops a communication network to enhance continuity and integration of care, ensuring all care and activities comply with the court requirements
• assists with transporting clients to and from medical appointments, Court, benefits office, etc., to ensure basic physical and financial needs are met

Medical Record Documentation - Written Reports to the Courts and Administrative Duties:

• generates original and valid data entry based on clinical knowledge, interpretation, and legal information
• facilitates, coordinates, and completes appropriate mental status assessment and interventions related to sexual offending and or substance abuse treatment, to ensure this documentation is available in the medical record and analyzes associated data to incorporate in written reports to the Court
• develop and articulate a written Plan of Care based on complex and intricate data analysis and individualized violence risk factors requiring synthesis of historical and current behaviors and contextual data
• applying evidenced-based violence risk variables and theoretical constructs to specific situations and writing interventions to address risks
• responds to and uses technical skills to establish required community services and benefit management with the client, family, and in teams to ensure maximum success in the community and to secure the full support of the DA and Courts. This information is reflected in the Discharge Plan documentation
• ensures data is current, accurate, and up-to-date in the official database to maintain reporting systems and record current events. Completes weekly progress notes on all activities associated with the care and treatment of the assigned clients
• schedule and facilitate timely POC reviews, document major events, assess and document risk, and professionally respond to the community knowing the courts may subpoena the records at any time
• compiles written Quarterly and Annual reports to the Court using professional judgment
• collects, copies, and compiles critical history, legal and clinical records, and documentation for review by release examiners to support progression to Conditional or Unconditional Release where appropriate. This information is eventually forwarded to the Director of Forensic Services, the CEO of CMHIP, and the Courts
• reports phone calls, questions, and concerns from stakeholders involved with the client assigned to the FCBS Case Manager
• maintains meticulous and thorough documentation of the client’s contacts, discussions with, and about, the observations of the client’s behaviors and conduct, collateral contacts, adherence to the Plan of Care, efforts to assure or enhance service provision, and other information related to the care of their clients

Legal and Court Activity:

• assess and evaluate adherence to the forensic principles of Risk, Need, and Responsivity when developing and revising the Plan of Care and Requirements for Community Placement of individual clients. Revisions of the Requirements for Community Placement and Conditional Release Order may require permission from the Courts
• Develop requirements for Community Placement
• maintains assessment of client adherence to the Plan of Care
• contacts law enforcement regarding dangerous acts, situations, or behaviors involving the client as required
• serves as a witness or advocate for the client if the Court orders them to appear
• responds to questions posed by the DA, defense attorney, or court at any time
• reports to the court any violations or illegal behaviors in which the client may have allegedly engaged
• develops and maintains a positive working relationship with special victims, victims’ rights groups, NAMI, Public Defenders, DA, and law enforcement agencies with local jurisdiction through coordination with and under the supervision of CR Coordinator/FCBS
• other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications: 
Six (6) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to
this position with a minumun of (2) two years working directly with clients  
~OR~
A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position equal to six (6) years

Substitution:

• additional appropriate experience in case management, probation or parole services will substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis
• additional appropriate education will substitute for the experience requirement on a year-for-year basis. (Must attach unofficial transcripts to application, for education as a substitution to be credited) 

*Employment history is calculated on a full-time basis (40/hrs per week). Part-time employment is calculated on a pro-rated basis to determine qualifications. Be sure your application specifically addresses your qualifications, experience, work products, and accomplishments as they relate to the position and minimum requirements.*
Preferred Qualifications

• possession of either a bachelor's or masters Degree in criminal justice, clinical psychology, forensic psychology, sociology or related field 
• ability to express ideas effectively, orally and in writing
• other certifications in specialty counseling beneficial
• two or more years of case management experience
• knowledge of mental illness, violence risk assessment and management, legal statutes, and forensic psychiatry is required to ensure a safe and appropriate match for the responsibilities of this position
• demonstrated ability to understand and apply treatment modalities to provide
  adequate patient care
• demonstrated ability to understand treatment plans and provide appropriate
  interventions
• previous experience in the area of Forensic Evaluations and treatment to include sex offender risk management
• previous experience in case management or support for persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities 

Conditions of Employment: 

• a pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted as part of the selection process as this position is deemed to have direct contact with vulnerable persons. Felony convictions, convictions of crimes of moral turpitude, or convictions of misdemeanors related to job duties may disqualify you from being considered for this position. Should your background check reveal any charges or convictions, it is your responsibility to provide the CDHS Background Unit with an official disposition of any charges. Additionally, you will be required take and pass a drug screen. 
• this position will be paid bi-weekly
• former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application and provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS
• Valid and Current U.S. Driver’s License
• FCBS Case Managers are required to travel with occasional overnight stays out of town and/or state
• On-call Status – because FCBS clients can experience rapid decline in psychiatric stability, this position requires that the case manager be provided a department-issued cell phone to respond to client
• COVID 19 and other vaccines as required by the State of CO

Appeal Rights:

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.

An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.

For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.

How to Apply

The Assessment Process

For additional recruiting questions, please contact jazzma.gamboa@state.co.us

About Us: 

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS). Our professionals strive to design and deliver high quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well-being of the people of Colorado. In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Planwww.copera.org plus 401(k) and 457 plans

• Medical and dental health plans

• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account

• Paid life insurance

• Short- and long-term disability coverage

• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave

• BenefitHub state employee discount program

• Employee Wellness program MotivateMe

• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more

• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions

*Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more

information, go to https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/student-loan-forgiveness-programs.

Our Values:

We believe in a people-first approach: To serve the people of Colorado, we develop a culture and work environment that creates an energized, inspired, and healthy team capable of giving their best to Coloradans.

Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.

We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.

Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.

We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.

Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

ADAA Accommodations:CDHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAA Coordinator, Nancy Schmelzer, at cdhs_ada@state.co.us or call 1-800-929-0791.

~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER