Community Behavioral Health Liaison - Courts & Jails

About the Role

The Community Behavioral Health Liaison (CBHL) is an experienced, qualified mental health professional responsible for coordinating services for individuals with behavioral health needs who have come to the attention of law enforcement officials, the courts, and/or detention personnel. The CBHL develops and improves access to services for those with complex behavioral health (addiction/substance use and mental health) issues, working toward specific goals of an individualized treatment plan. As part of a person-centered integration team, the CBHL collaborates with local systems to coordinate care, assists individuals and families in making informed choices, and ensures timely access to psychiatric, medical, vocational, social, and educational systems. The role requires a warm, welcoming, and empathic attitude, conveying a philosophy of dual recovery.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate services and develop local systems of care for individuals with behavioral health needs who have come to the attention of law enforcement officials, the courts, and detention personnel.
• Participate in local law enforcement Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT) or other initiatives that assist law enforcement in dealing with individuals with behavioral health needs.
• Collaborate with local partners in Mental Health Courts or other specialty or diversion courts dealing with behavioral health issues.
• Provide or coordinate training and consultation on behavioral health issues for court clerks as needed.
• In coordination with the ACI, assist law enforcement by working together in assessing individuals with behavioral health needs.
• In coordination with the ACI, assist those with behavioral health needs in accessing appropriate voluntary services upon referral by law enforcement, courts, and detention personnel.
• In coordination with the ACI, assist law enforcement and the courts in locating inpatient psychiatric beds for court-ordered involuntary detentions and in filling petitions for involuntary detention with the probate court for individuals who present a likelihood of serious harm due to a mental disorder.
• Act as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Be cross-trained for other positions within the Crisis Services department, based on education and/or experience.
• Report to the Assistant Director of Crisis Services for program-specific supervision and be under the administration of the Director of Crisis Services.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements

• Work in a normal office environment with prolonged sitting, frequent standing, bending, stooping, and occasional lifting up to 25 pounds.
• Requires normal range of hearing and manual dexterity sufficient to operate keyboard, telephone, photocopier, calculator, and other office equipment.
• Requires ability to work under stressful conditions, irregular hours, and deal with irate individuals.
• TB test required upon hire.