Provides professional mental health court case management work for the 10^th Judicial District. Services also include outreach and client advocacy.

The position allocated to this classification is responsible for professional mental health court case management of adults under the direction of the Probation Department and Trial courts.

Employees are expected to become acquainted with agency, County, State, and Court policies, procedures and regulations. Basic diagnostic and counseling principles are applied to determine the most effective alternative for a given situation or case, including the efficient referring to and utilization of available community resources. Work is performed with considerable independence and evaluated on the attainment of the program’s goals and objectives. This position focuses on agency relationships, referrals to needed services and participation in court hearings.

Interviews individuals, reviews records and confers with other professionals to evaluate the mental and/or physical condition of the individual.

Provides assessments for new participants; identifies gaps in services and makes appropriate referrals in the community for needed resources. Facilitates and links participants with needed services based on treatment needs, treatment plans and BHTC team reports.

Provides care coordination services to probation clients including the coordination of housing, benefits, and basic needs for participants. Assists with identifying, developing, organizing and supervising participants’ community service and projects.

Serves as liaison between community providers and the Court. Collaborates with community providers to create treatment plans that meet the needs of participants. Is available in court hearings to answer questions for defendants, treatment team members and the Judge.

Reviews court procedures and the program with new participants including rules of the court, court hearings, appropriate conduct in court, program incentives/sanctions, expectations and graduation.

Confers weekly with the specialty court  Team on participants’ performance and progress in treatment. Submits Non-Compliance reports to the court and attends all court hearings for program participants.

Identifies psychosocial, economic and physical needs of clients; assesses and reassesses client’s support systems, available community resources and other factors to plan, develop and implement an appropriate treatment plan, and assess progress.

Assists with the implementation of a case plan, presenting intervention strategies to meet client needs including alternative placement, job training, socialization, nursing services, legal and medical intervention and financial assistance according to state and federal regulatory guidelines and budget limitations.

Provides ongoing case management services by monitoring delivery of services and quality of care; regularly re-evaluates client needs including ongoing eligibility for services, tracks client progress and well-being, assists with the evaluation of case plan effectiveness and effectively manages resources to prevent conflicting case plans and duplication of services.

Confers with other professionals and supervisors regarding cases to coordinate activities and needs of the individual. Interacts with judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, probation officers and court support staff related to the courtroom. Prepares and reports any violations or non-compliance to court-related staff and community providers.

Prepares necessary documents weekly for court and court staffings, attends all specialty Court proceedings, and status conferences for participants. Makes professional reports/

recommendations to the court while on the record.

Maintains individual records and all other required documentation in a timely, confidential and organized manner, in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.

Monitors participants’ compliance with referrals to mental health, chemical dependency treatment, and other appropriate resources.

Collaborates with jail mental health staff to coordinate existing supports and encourage participation in treatment. Establishes coordination of services upon release, monitors defendants as they re-enter the community and acts as liaison between jail staff, community providers and the court.

Works closely with probation officers, caseworkers and other referral sources.

Attends trainings as required, attends mental health court meetings, maintains engagement with community agencies; provides education regarding the program requirements and success of participants.

Maintains a log/database of contacts, assessments, referrals, counseling, consultation behavioral and treatment plans and other information obtained relative to an individual case; contacts and corresponds with other agencies related to the individual case in order to monitor activity and progress.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

No supervisory responsibility. Responsible for one's own work product and work within a unit performing similar functions.

A Bachelor’s degree from four year college or university with major coursework preferably in Psychology, Sociology/Criminology, Social Work, or a closely related field.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands and fingers and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Individuals assigned field supervision responsibilities will be required to successfully complete the Defensive Tactics course as per state policy, and be able to engage in defensive skills maneuvers. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus. Some positions may be required to travel.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. This position is subject to varying and unpredictable situations; may handle emergency or crisis situations; is subject to many interruptions; may handle multiple calls and inquiries simultaneously; and may occasionally handle absentee replacement on short notice.