Partner Forensic Family TCOOMMI

At Metrocare, we serve our neighbors with developmental or mental health challenges by helping them find lives that are meaningful and satisfying. Metrocare is the largest provider of mental health services in North Texas, serving over 55,000 adults and children annually. For over 50 years, we have provided a broad array of services including behavioral health care, primary care centers, services for veterans and their families, accessible pharmacies, housing, and supportive social services. Alongside clinical care, researchers and teachers from Metrocare’s Altshuler Center for Education & Research advance mental health beyond Dallas County while providing critical workforce to the state.

About the role

The Forensic Family Partner is a peer specialist who draws from their own experience of the Juvenile Justice System to provide support and services to families enrolled in the Texas Correction Office on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments Juvenile Program. This role is for past or current caregivers of a youth who has successfully completed or will complete Juvenile Probation. Forensic Family Partners are knowledgeable about the mental health field and the Justice System, assisting families—particularly parents and/or caregivers—with the re-integration of their sentenced youth back into the community.

Responsibilities

• Attend all Special Needs Unit treatment team staffing and identify opportunities for promoting or providing psychosocial rehabilitation or community resources for consumers.
• Contribute to team knowledge and understanding of each consumer.
• Ensure TCOOMMI Program Guidelines are being met.
• Assist with monitoring and continued assessment of assigned consumers, including home visits. Must possess a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Introduce the family to the treatment process and model self-advocacy skills.
• Document services in the automated clinical record-keeping system within 24 hours after services occur and follow up on consumers who have accessed emergency services.
• Maintain required productivity levels as outlined in agency policies.
• Maintain confidentiality of information concerning consumers and family members.
• Assist with on-call services in accordance with agency procedures.
• Facilitate skills trainings and therapeutic groups.
• Obtain authorizations as needed from third-party payers.
• Collaborate with Special Needs Unit probation officers and clinical staff weekly to ensure consumers remain on track with recovery and case plan goals.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Personal experience as the caretaker of a child in the juvenile system to provide a positive and relatable example to primary caregivers.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for community visits.

Skills

• Self-motivated, able to work both independently and alongside the SNU team.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate with a variety of individuals, teams, and systems.
• Working knowledge of MS Office.
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, and policies related to the Agency and Juvenile Justice.
• Creative service implementation processes designed to meet the needs of people served.
• Emergency/Crisis Intervention skills.
• Ability to carry out oral and/or written instructions.
• Ability to operate as a team member while making positive, individual judgments.
• Ability to assess needs of consumers and implement a treatment/behavior plan.
• Ability to maintain a list of community resources.
• Ability to recognize and report side effects of psychoactive medications.
• Ability to assess a potential crisis and ensure delivery of services at the proper level of care.
• Ability to work collaboratively with co-workers in a high-stress environment, take initiative, and be creative.
• Ability to successfully use an automated clinical record-keeping system.
• Intermediate-level proficiency in MS Excel, email, and word processing programs.
• Ability to utilize the Internet for resources.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Exceptional training opportunities.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Paid time off and paid holidays.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement plan with employer matching.
• Health Savings Account with employer matching.
• Professional development allowance up to $2000 per year.
• Bilingual stipend – 6% of the base salary.
• Many other benefits.