Forensic Coordinator - Milwaukee County

Wisconsin Community Services is seeking a Forensic Coordinator to provide ongoing service coordination, treatment planning, advocacy, and monitoring to residents of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, and Kenosha counties participating in the OARS Program (Opening Avenues for Re-entry Success), Conditional Release Program (CR), Outpatient Competency Restoration Program (OCRP), and/or Jail-Based Competency Restoration Program (JBCR).

Responsibilities

• Coordinate, plan, and ensure follow-through with community treatment for individuals participating in the OARS, CR, OCRP, and/or JBCR Programs.
• Engage and develop a supportive one-to-one therapeutic relationship with each participant.
• Incorporate evidence-based practices into service provision, including Motivational Interviewing (MI), Trauma Informed Care (TIC), and Person-Centered Planning.
• Utilize MI skills to enhance participant participation and success.
• Monitor ongoing treatment needs and compliance through assessment, treatment planning, assertive case management, symptom management, medication monitoring, crisis intervention, and coordination of multi-disciplinary team meetings as per program protocols and the Department of Health Services (DHS) contract.
• Develop and submit court documents for CR and Competency participants, including Predisposition Investigation, Treatment Plan, Treatment Plan Adjustment, Adjustment Summary, Discharge/Transition Plan, and all Status Report documents.
• Coordinate team staffings with DHS/Department of Community Corrections (DCC) and other treatment team members.
• Maintain safety practices and continually assess potential risk when in the community and when working with participants.
• Coordinate community support services (referrals) and/or directly aid participants with activities of daily living, including housing, money management, vocational/educational pursuits, scheduling, and transportation for appointments.
• Encourage and assist participants in developing a natural support system, including family, neighbors, friends, and community members.
• Create and maintain participant service documents, such as case notes, assessments, Adult Family Home/Rent Justification forms, release plans, Individual Service Plans (ISP), Quarterly Progress Notes (QPN), crisis plans, budgets, suicide risk assessments (SRA), trauma assessments, other risk assessments, and release of information (ROI) forms within expected program timeframes.
• Comply with program and DHS quality standards, DHS Connect (EHR) and SharePoint protocols, format requirements, and timeframes for all documents and communications.
• Ensure maximum participant financial contribution and third-party payment toward cost-of-service provision by applying for appropriate insurance benefits and utilizing available assistance programs, county services, and community resources.
• Provide ongoing communication and coordination with treatment providers, DOC/DCC, mental health institution staff, court personnel, prison/jail staff, and other service agencies, responding to emails and phone messages within 24 hours.
• Conduct frequent home visits and transport participants in the community using personal vehicles.
• Develop and practice MI skills through training, coaching, and participant contact to attain basic fidelity within 12 months and advanced fidelity within 24 months of employment as outlined in the program contract.
• Participate in MI coaching sessions and complete DHS surveys as required.
• Complete MI audio recording and written Test of Knowledge as required.
• Build and nurture positive relationships with stakeholders and funder(s).
• Collect necessary medical records, lab results, and information for participants per program protocol in a timely manner.
• Provide rotational crisis line coverage.
• Appear and testify at court hearings.
• Attend training, meetings, and staffings.
• Participate in new staff shadowing rotation.
• Perform other job-related duties as necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the position.
• Remote staff may be required to work from the Forensic office in Milwaukee.
• On the last day of employment, turn in all agency equipment to the supervisor/program director.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or related Human Services field.
• Experience in case management and service coordination; experience serving people with a mental illness, substance use disorder, or other special populations.
• Valid driver’s license, automobile, and insurance sufficient to meet agency requirements.
• Meet all employee requirements, including references, criminal background check, and driver’s license check.

Skills

• Communication: Ability to provide information effectively with a diverse population, including the persons served, supervisor, colleagues, and program partners in writing and oral communications.
• Technological Aptitude: Ability to use general technological skills throughout daily job duties, including email, internet, and company-specified systems (e.g., Microsoft 365, Windows, Word, Excel).
• Managing Priorities/Deadlines: Ability to maintain schedules, meet deadlines, and manage multiple projects.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to think critically and be solution-oriented in a fast-paced environment, adapting to program changes and challenges.
• Adaptability: Ability to manage change, deal with situations as they arise, and work independently or as part of a team.
• Teamwork: Ability to work as a team, participate productively, and manage independent contributing duties and responsibilities.
• Motivation: Commitment to the assigned job, mission, and core values of the organization while supporting a respectful and harmonious work setting.
• Professionalism: Ability to conduct oneself with a high level of integrity, ethics, and boundaries.
• Multicultural Sensitivity: Ability to work in the community and interact directly with diverse populations, including clients, partners, and service providers, demonstrating professionalism, cultural sensitivity, and strong interpersonal skills.
• Program-Specific Knowledge:
  • Clinical skills and knowledge related to community-based services for individuals with mental illness, including assessment, treatment planning, monitoring, and supportive services.
  • Knowledge of and experience in mental health and substance use services, including assessment, treatment plan development, psychotropic medications, side effects, and symptom management.
  • Knowledge of the legal system and forensic psychiatric issues, risk management, resourcefulness, and flexibility in responding to changing participant needs.
  • Knowledge of substance abuse disorders, psychotropic medications, and entitlements such as Medicaid, SSI/SSDI, Medicare, and Veterans benefits.

Schedule

• Full-time position.
• Frequent travel throughout the southeastern Wisconsin region, including mental health institutions in Madison and Oshkosh, and prisons statewide.
• Combination of office work and fieldwork in the four-county region (including inner-city Milwaukee).
• Rotational crisis line coverage, including after-hours accessibility to staff and/or program participants.

Physical Demands

• Driving throughout southeastern Wisconsin, including mental health institutions in Madison and Oshkosh, and prisons statewide. Requires the ability to drive for extended periods on any given day.
• Office work involves sitting at a desk and conducting computer work.