Job Information
Connections Work Mental Health Forensic Diversion Engagement Specialist in Reading, Pennsylvania
In fulfillment of Berks County's efforts to engage individuals with mental illness in treatment rather than incarceration, the MHFD Engagement Specialist functions in the key role responsible for diagnostic assessment, planning, developing, and implementing cohesive diversion strategies at pre-arrest police encounters, arraignment, and detainment points for contact.The MHFD Engagement Specialist will foster on going strategies to educate, train, and consult with primary criminal justice systems along with the county's police departments. In summary, this position requires the MHFD Engagement Specialist to present acute psycho-forensic assessment at several intercept points of contact between law enforcement and consumers. This position will work closely with related systems to empower growth, and education in continuity with the standards set forth by Connections Work and Berks County Office of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities (MH/DD).
Agency Culture and Values:
At Connections Work, we have core beliefs and behaviors that define our culture. We believe that all people have value, mistakes do not define us, how we show up each day is critical to our success, and psychological safety is a basic human need. We believe that not everyone has the same opportunities, and that positive change is possible through hope, opportunity and second chances.
All employees, leaders, members of the Board of Directors and volunteers are all encouraged to embed these beliefs into their practices, policies, procedures, decisions, and interactions at Connections Work, and model our defined behaviors that stem from these beliefs.
Essential Functions:
To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability, and behaviors required. Reasonable accommodation may be made.
- Respond to acute mental health contacts at the initial point of police engagement (Intercept 0).
- Assess, diagnosis, and determine intent and symptom dysfunction diversionary planning.
- Provide assessment and diversionary planning at the arraignment point of engagement (Intercept 1)
- Attend hearings at the Magisterial District and Common Pleas Courts.
- Provide court-related testimony as needed.
- Must develop and maintain effective and professional working relationships with the Berks County Office of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities (MH/DD), the Berks County District Attorney's Office and related criminal justice offices, entities, and partners, including but not limited to the Berks County Public Defender's Office, local police departments, local jails, state hospitals, defense attorneys, and various courts.
- Deliver presentations for various educational platforms to engage related systems in mental health education.
- Respond to requests from individuals or stakeholders for diversion engagement.
- Gather pertinent information, conduct brief needs assessment, develop service/diversion plans.
- Effectively manage crises to ensure safety and well-being.
- Coordinate service referrals and collateral contacts.
- Participate in team meetings with various community partners (i.e.: Berks County MH/DD Program, Berks County Jail System, Norristown State Hospital, mental health and drug and alcohol provider agencies, etc.)
- Complete all necessary documentation.
- Collect and track relevant data as required and participate in any quality improvement initiatives.
- Identify strategies to address process and resource gaps impacting forensic diversion.
- Participate in Stepping Up and other forensic initiatives as identified by the Berks County MH/DD Program.
- Provide community education/technical assistance on forensic diversion program and other relevant subjects.
Provide culturally competent diagnostic-driven oversight of the forensic diversion program.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Exceptional skill set for diagnosis and assessment.
Functional understanding of arraignment, bail processes and the role of the District Attorney's Office.
Functional understanding of typical mental health systems and referral process.
Working knowledge of jail, prison, state hospital and acute hospital functions.
Ability to work effectively with diverse groups.
Skilled in communication, both written and verbal, including proficient professional public speaking skills.
Resourceful, professional, and able to function with a high degree of independence as well as the ability to effectively collaborate and communicate with a team.
Special Requirements:
PA State Licensure (LPC, LSW, LCSW, or related human services license) preferred.
Master's degree in social work, psychology, or related field, required.
Minimum 1-year professional experience, post graduate degree, working in and with outpatient and inpatient treatment and diagnostic settings required.
Minimum 2 years' professional experience, post graduate degree utilizing crisis intervention skills, required.
Minimum 2 years' professional experience, post graduate degree, in the field of mental health, psychology, criminal justice, and/or related human service fields, required.
Working knowledge of the criminal justice system processes, required.
Evidence of at least 2 professional speaking engagements or related professional teaching experiences, required.
Must be available to respond to diversion calls outside of traditional business hours, work remotely and in a hybrid capacity, with a flex schedule expectation.
Must have the ability to travel outside of Pennsylvania for speaking engagements approximately 1-2 times per year.
Must possess a valid driver's license, have access to a vehicle and be willing to travel to and work at various locations.
Must have valid personal vehicle insurance.
Must have an acceptable motor vehicle record check.
Must complete the Connections Work onboarding clearance process.
Must possess and maintain clearance authorization through the Berks County Jail System. Connections Work will process the clearance request.
Must complete ongoing training and/or certifications as required for position.
Must abide by the policies and procedures detailed in the Connections Work Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual, the relevant sections of the PADOC and the PBPP Code of Ethics, Codes of Conduct and PREA Standards, and the relevant sections of the BCJS manual.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Perform any related duties as directed by leadership.
- Keep professional relations at a high standard with Connections Work, Berks County Jail System (BCJS), the PA DOC, the PBPP, and other service providers, criminal and juvenile justice system officials, volunteers, mentors, partners and related professionals.
Note: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed but are not to be seen as a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Also, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of Connections Work.
Connections Work is an equal opportunity employer.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
