Clinical Case Manager I - ICM

About CJA

The New York City Criminal Justice Agency (CJA) is a not-for-profit service and research organization that operates in partnership with the New York City Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice. CJA is the City’s main pretrial services agency, combining operations, pilot projects, and research under one roof. CJA utilizes procedural justice practices to provide pretrial services to over 100,000 persons arrested annually in New York City. Information collected about these arrestees and subsequent case processing is maintained in the agency’s internal and externally shared database systems, which are used to conduct descriptive and evaluation research on arrestee characteristics, case processing and court outcomes, and on issues and potential reforms to criminal justice policy in New York City.

CJA’s programs operate in the criminal courts and detention facilities 24 hours a day, seven days a week within the 5 boroughs of NYC, employing over 300 employees citywide.

Program Summary

CJA operates a Supervised Release Program in Queens Criminal Court. The program screens targeted defendants for release at criminal court arraignment, subject to specific conditions including maintaining face-to-face and telephone contact with the program, participating in an assessment process to identify needs such as substance use and mental health, and agreeing to program monitoring of court appearances and re-arrests. This position works with participants aged 16 and older who have enhanced needs such as mental health and substance use issues, developmental disabilities, housing instability, and others who are less likely to make it to their court appearances.

Responsibilities

• Review with participants the conditions of release, program agreement, and consents for disclosure.
• Conduct an intake/assessment interview to identify needs, including administering various evidence-based assessment tools to identify possible mental health and/or substance abuse concerns for individuals aged 16 and older.
• Monitor a caseload of high-risk and high-needs youth and adult participants, providing supervision, and making referrals to voluntary social service interventions.
• Verify participant contact information, general location (if unhoused), contacts at other programs, and current supervision level/reporting requirements.
• Maintain face-to-face and telephone contact with participants, monitor re-arrests, and prepare written progress reports for court.
• Meet with clients in the community as needed, including completing appointments, accompanying them to referrals, and attending court dates.
• Maintain communication with defense attorneys and referral agencies until transfer or completion of reporting responsibilities.
• Update computerized case management appointments to produce periodic reports on participant compliance.
• Complete all necessary documentation in a timely manner and maintain all data set reporting requirements in the agency database.
• Appear and advocate in court regarding participants’ compliance, as necessary.
• Actively participate in staff meetings and ongoing trainings; identify new opportunities for staff development.

Client Centered Management and Communication

• Communicate and coordinate with staff comprised of diverse identities, experiences, and professional disciplines in a respectful manner that acknowledges differences, expertise, and experiences to promote collaboration and better client outcomes.
• Communicate with clients of diverse populations, needs, and experiences in the justice system and other institutions in a respectful manner that acknowledges lived experiences and creates connection.
• Answer questions about services in an informed and well-resourced way; direct clients and community members to resources by making appropriate referrals.
• Ensure that clients are being supported in a timely manner, through careful assessment and the use of evidence-based tools.

Influencing and Motivating

• Work intensively with clients using goal-based interventions to create behavioral changes.
• Support the client’s self-efficacy by reinforcing their power to make the changes that they want.
• Guide clients through the treatment plan and behavioral change process; recognize and acknowledge positive changes and continue encouraging behavioral changes.
• Clearly and concisely communicate with other members of the mobile team to understand and support the needs and goals of the client and collaborate on appropriate next steps.

Requirements

• MSW or relevant master’s degree required with 2 years of related case management experience.
• Knowledge of NYC Court Operations preferred.
• Experience serving clients in the community preferred.

Skills

• Familiarity with the Alternative to Detention (ATD), Alternative to Incarceration (ATI), or other advocacy program models.
• Working knowledge of treatment programs (substance abuse, mental health, etc.) and other support services (GED, job training, YIP, etc.) for referrals.
• Ability to exercise sound and quick judgment.
• Excellent communication and writing skills.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Computer literate with the ability to quickly adapt to changing technology.
• Bilingual: Spanish (preferred).
• Must be willing to work evening and weekend hours, if needed.
• CASAC or CASAC-T encouraged to apply.

Schedule

This is an in-person role requiring 5 days a week. Typical hours are 9am – 5pm or 1pm to 9pm. To provide optimal coverage for client engagement, regularly scheduled workweeks will include weekends and night shifts. Flex hours will be occasionally required to perform client visits either in their homes or at community-based locations. Travel within the 5 boroughs is required for client engagement or meetings with community partners.

Pay

$79,679

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Comprehensive mental health and wellness, Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Four weeks’ vacation and paid holidays.
• Retirement plan with employer matching contributions.
• Professional learning and development opportunities through partnerships, vendor services, and in-house training.

CJA Values

• Commitment: Active partners in criminal justice reform through initiatives and creative problem-solving that evaluates different methods and strategies for alternatives to detention.
• Fairness: Guided by fairness and the presumption of innocence for those who are detained, working with integrity and without bias to protect the privacy and interest of court-involved people and their families.
• Innovation: Value curiosity as a driving force to lead the way in pretrial services, using innovative techniques in research, pilot programs, and engaging justice-involved communities to execute the mission of reducing unnecessary pretrial detention.