MH CW III - Forensic Div./Reinteg. Specialist

**COUNTY OF BUCKS**

• JOB TITLE:** MH Caseworker III -- Forensic Diversion/Reintegration Specialist
• JOB CODE:** 0558-04/6054
• DEPARTMENT: **Behavioral Health/Developmental Programs
• UNION:** 04
• FLSA STATUS:** Non-Exempt
• GRADE:** 37
• POSITION SUMMARY:** This community-based Caseworker position assists in the coordination and monitoring of individuals with mental illness and co-occurring mental illness/substance use disorders to support diversion from incarceration and/or further penetration into the criminal justice system. In collaboration with Forensic Re-Entry Specialists, this position also supports planning implementation for members of this target population who are returning to the community from jail and State Correctional Institutions as well as the Norristown Southeast Regional Forensic Center. This position functions as a community team leader for individuals with serious mental illness and complex needs, including those involved in the treatment courts, and facilitates communication between the criminal justice system and community service providers/resources to ensure a smooth and successful re-integration into, or continued tenure in, the community. On a systemic level, this position supports supervisory staff in the coordination, tracking, and monitoring of County Forensic Initiatives including Stepping Up and other Sequential Intercept Model interventions.
• ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES**:
• In collaboration with the jail-based Forensic Re-Entry Specialist, coordinates with the Bucks County Correctional Facility, Correctional Mental Health, Treatment Courts, Forensic units of State Hospitals, Forensic Residential Treatment Facilities for Adults (RTF-A), and related facilities to ensure individuals are prepared for release and connected to community resources
• Supports Forensic Services Coordinator and Regional Forensic Liaison in coordination of re-entry for inmates State Correctional Institutions (SCI) and Community Correction Centers (CCC)
• In conjunction with community partners, monitors the continued linkage of individuals with community resources and supports including but not limited to behavioral health treatment/rehabilitation, financial entitlements, health insurance, and housing
• In coordination with criminal justice and community partners, problem solves any barriers to living in the community including ensuring that risk assessments and evaluations are coordinated and completed to assess appropriate level of care and supervision required
• Attends, and facilitates as needed, team meetings with individuals involved in active competency restoration and/or treatment; obtains updates and gathers clinical information
• Obtains/reviews information from, and facilitates communication between, criminal justice partners and community providers to support individual community plan implementation, community-based competency restoration, and the resolution of legal charges
• Identifies and implements processes which support resolution of legal charges, including successful completion of pre-trial supervision, probation and/or parole, and treatment court as well as successful community reintegration
• In collaboration with the Forensic Re-Entry Specialist, works closely with entities who are also supporting justice-involved individuals in the community including, but not limited to, the Forensic Services Program, Forensic and traditional Assertive Community Treatment teams, Adult Probation and Parole support programs (e.g. Pre-trial/MH Officers), Magisterial District Justice Mobile Engagement/Community Forensic Response Team, Targeted and Administrative MH Case Management, Forensic Peer Support, Residential Treatment Facilities for Adults (RTF-As), and Mental Health/COD Housing Programs
• Supports County criminal justice diversion efforts in collaboration with other County MH staff including Recovery Court (Co-Occurring Di orders Track of Drug Court), Veterans, Wellness Court, Adult Probation and Parole Departments, and Competency and other Diversionary Courts as needed
  
  

Wellness Court Support Will Include The Following

• Completion of Assessments, coordination of care, assisting in referral to appropriate treatment providers/community supports for participants
• Provision of input and recommendations for each participant to address treatment and other support (housing, employment, education, transportation, etc) to assist the Team in the development of a goal plan.
• Review of progress notes documenting participation and service delivery prior to Team Meetings. Education of treatment providers regarding the Problem-Solving Court Programs' Phase requirements.
• Provision of educational materials to families of participants on mental illness and available support services.
• Attendance at Problem-Solving Team meetings, recommendation of therapeutic incentives/ consequences and support that are given on a fair and consistent basis.
• Conducting an orientation with applicants to complete needs assessment and review rules/expectations of Program.
• Acting as a liaison between treatment providers and Problem-Solving Courts to facilitate communication around participant treatment/rehabilitation.
• Maintains effective working relationships with PA COMPASS Community Partners, SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) trained specialists, County Housing Authority/Department staff, and community housing navigators to maximize needed access to Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA), Rapid Re-Housing, Residential Rehabilitation, Supported Living, and any other regional supported housing options
• Participates in liaison opportunities with co-workers in the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Programs, the Department of Corrections, the Single County Authority, Behavioral Health MCO, community providers, and other criminal justice partners
• Assists in the tracking of data and outcome reporting relevant to Stepping Up and other County behavioral health/justice-related initiatives; prioritizes outcomes which reflect the number of individuals diverted from incarceration and connections/progress made which support the social determinants of health
• Participates as required in the development and implementation of initiatives/ programs which support community-based competency restoration, community corrections, and community connection
• Completes all required documentation relating to job duties; prepares reports, electronic and written correspondence
• Cross-trains with the Forensic Re-Entry as and Clinical Treatment Court Coordinator as required.
• Performs related work as required
  
  

Qualifications Required

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Two years of experience as a County Caseworker 2
  
  

(Mental Health Casework Experience Preferred)

OR

Bachelor's Degree in sociology, social welfare, soci