Behavioral Health Specialist Assessment Court Liaison (Social Work/Counselor IV) - Denver.

This position is open only to Colorado state residents. Recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

About the Division of Youth Services

The Division of Youth Services (DYS) provides a continuum of residential and non-residential services that encompass juvenile detention, commitment, and parole. DYS is the agency statutorily mandated to provide for the care and supervision of youth committed by the District Court to the custody of the Colorado Department of Human Services. The Division operates fifteen secure facilities that serve youth between the ages of 10 and 21 who are pre-adjudicated, sentenced, or committed. The Division also contracts with numerous private residential and non-residential service providers throughout the State.

For pre-adjudicated youth, the Division is responsible for the management and oversight of Colorado Youth Detention Continuum, a State-funded, locally administered program that provides services to youth at risk of further progressing into the juvenile justice system. In addition to residential programming, the Division administers juvenile parole services throughout the State.

About the Role

You are required to work at your assigned work location during your scheduled work times. Work arrangements are subject to change at any time.

The purpose of the Division of Youth Services (DYS) Assessment Unit is to provide a safe, secure, and healthy environment for all juveniles committed to the Department of Human Services, Division of Youth Services (DYS), while conducting comprehensive, multidisciplinary assessments. Services include administration and interpretation of criminogenic risk, mental health, substance use, and sex offense–specific screening and assessment instruments to inform treatment recommendations and ensure efficient, effective service delivery.

The Behavioral Health Specialist Assessment Court Liaison serves as an on-site assessment subject matter expert within the regional Assessment team. This position provides supervision and oversight to assure quality of work product, consistency across regions, and effective communication/delivery of new practices. The role involves conducting assessments and working within a multidisciplinary team to offer empirically supported criminogenic, mental health, trauma, and substance abuse evaluation services to youth and families served by DYS.

Responsibilities

• Conduct individual and family structured clinical interviews, administer and interpret psychological assessment information, and act as a liaison with psychiatric professionals.
• Complete substance abuse screening and assessments, and participate as a team member and clinical consultant with other assessment and regional personnel.
• Synthesize assessment findings into a comprehensive, professional report within timelines specified in Colorado Revised Statutes and internal procedures.
• Provide training related to criminogenic, mental health, neuropsychological, and substance abuse issues, and sex offense-specific issues.
• Coordinate and support sex offense services programming, and facilitate executive transfers to the Colorado Mental Health Institutes.
• Maintain ongoing communication with Client Managers, treatment providers, court representatives, attorneys, probation personnel, and treatment providers regarding assessment, treatment, transition, and court-related issues.
• Consult for youth placed across the DYS continuum of care, ensuring safety and security of each youth, staff, and the community according to Colorado law.
• Lead the development, implementation, oversight, and evaluation of sex offense–specific policies, programs, contracts, and practices in alignment with SOMB standards and evidence-based care.
• Ensure oversight and application of appropriate, reliable, and accurate assessment practices to maintain consistency across regions.
• Conduct clinical interviews, criminogenic risk assessments, drug and alcohol screening, mental health evaluations, trauma assessments, and neuropsychological screenings on juvenile offenders.
• Administer and interpret the Youth Assessment and Screening Inventory (YASI), Juvenile Automated Substance Abuse Evaluation (JASAE), and University of California Los Angeles Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – Reaction Index (UCLA PTSD-RI).
• Conduct family interviews to ascertain individualized family strengths, needs, perspective, and expressed goals for treatment and DYS stay.
• Review collateral data, previous evaluation findings, legal documents, and incorporate information into the finalized assessment report.
• Complete all commitment paperwork, calculate the security level designation, and verify information with collateral agencies.
• Outline the assessment process to youth and families, including expectations, and request signed authorization for release of information.
• Communicate assessment findings and treatment recommendations with interdisciplinary team members to arrive at collaborative decisions regarding Service Plan goals and placement types.
• Participate in the initial DYS Multidisciplinary team meeting to discuss assessment findings and arrive at consensus for placement and service plan recommendations.
• Incorporate assessment findings into a comprehensive, individualized, and strengths-based written Assessment Report.
• Enter pertinent information into the Colorado Trails database and the Electronic Health Record (EHR).
• Perform quality reviews of all Assessment Reports prior to dissemination to ensure accuracy and professionalism.
• Provide clinical oversight, expertise, and quality assurance for evaluation findings of juveniles who have committed sexual offenses.
• Uphold the effectiveness, fit, and functionality of currently utilized services and provide recommendations for improving statewide SOMB Services practices and policies.
• Participate in training on topics related to Offense Specific Youth, including strengths-based evaluation, effective report writing, and motivational interviewing skills.
• Represent DYS SOMB Services at various mental health and juvenile justice conferences.
• Maintain ongoing statewide correspondence with colleagues, service providers, and client managers to ensure reliable communication and continuity of services.
• Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement practices as outlined by DYS Assessment Services protocol.
• Communicate program/system strengths and limitations to the Program Manager and participate in program development activities.

Requirements

• Current, valid Colorado license as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Psychologist, or Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC).
• Two years of professional experience conducting clinical assessments, including mental health, substance abuse, and criminogenic risk evaluations, with juvenile populations in a forensic or correctional setting.
• Experience with evidence-based assessment tools such as YASI, JASAE, or UCLA PTSD-RI.
• Knowledge of juvenile justice systems, sex offense-specific assessment and treatment, and Colorado Revised Statutes related to juvenile commitment.
• Ability to synthesize complex assessment data into clear, concise, and professional reports.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team and with external stakeholders.
• Experience providing training, consultation, or clinical supervision preferred.